(000A) Off to See the Baron

[Eris]

Present: Valerin, Callista, Frank (NPC), Sally (NPC)

Sally gives Hazel a small bag then pulls on a dark cloak and goes to the door and peeks outside.

"The Baron lives in the big manor house on the square. It's two blocks right at the first corner and then across the square." she says and slips out onto the quiet street and begins to walk up the street. It is very dark out here with deep shadows on both sides of the narrow street.

OOC: I'll pause right here so Valerin and Callista can devise a plan, arm themselves, and give me a marching order. Put Frank where ever you want him, he'll have his bow strung and an arrow nocked at the ready.

[bruce.desertrat]

Present: Valerin, Callista, Frank (NPC), Sally (NPC)

Sally gives Hazel a small bag then pulls on a dark cloak and goes to the door and peeks outside.

"The Baron lives in the big manor house on the square. It's two blocks right at the first corner and then across the square." she says and slips out onto the quiet street and begins to walk up the street. It is very dark out here with deep shadows on both sides of the narrow street.

OOC: I'll pause right here so Valerin and Callista can devise a plan, arm themselves, and give me a marching order. Put Frank where ever you want him, he'll have his bow strung and an arrow nocked at the ready.

Valerin turns to Callista. "You're armored, and have the best close-in weapon skill. I see best in the dark. You're best to guard Sally. I will take point with my bow and Frank will take rear guard, also with his bow. Speed is our ally"

He turns to Sally, "Make sure they know we're not enemies when we get there!"

He unlimbers his bow and nocks an arrow, then starts moving swiftly to the Baron's manor. He's using his night vision abilities to look closely for these rat-men, and any others who might be taking advantage of the chaos...

[bobk2323]

Valerin turns to Callista. "You're armored, and have the best close-in weapon skill. I see best in the dark. You're best to guard Sally. I will take point with my bow and Frank will take rear guard, also with his bow. Speed is our ally"

Callista nods briefly. "Okay." For someone who's about to walk into an utterly chaotic situation, the tall woman seems oddly calm.

--
Bob K.

[Eris]

Turn 1:

Code: Select all

6 / 6   Valerin
8 / 8   Callistra
4 / 4   Sally
10 / 10 Frank

Valerin (short bow), followed by Callista (morning star), Sally (bag of marbles) and Frank (long sword) set up the street. The streets are empty and quiet. Then you see flickering light reflected on the buildings from a source behind you. There is a rising level of noise coming from behind you as well. Glancing back you see the glow of flames down at the docks.

"The boats!" whispers Sally, "They have set the boats afire!"

You have reached the edge of a square where the market is held during the day. In the center is a well and beyond it is a large building, a mansion. Sally tells you in a whisper that is the Baron's house.

Valerin, with his elven night vision sees figures climbing out of the well in the middle of the square. The figures are about 3 feet tall and have long narrow snouts. Each is carrying what looks like a short bow.

As the figures emerge they are scurrying to the right and left. Looking to either side he sees four or five figures already crouched in the shadows. Callista, Sally and Frank can see some movement at the well, but can't see the figures clearly.

You estimate it is 100 feet across the square to the closed, and presumably locked, doors of the Baron's mansion. Trying to cross the square, though, would put you right between the creatures to the left and right and you'd have to go right past the ones still coming out of the well.

Behind you a bell starts to gong back toward the docks.

"Fire Bell! Everyone will come out and rush to the docks, now!" Sally whispers urgently, "I can light up the square for a minute or two. Would that help?"

YOUR TURN!

[bobk2323]

As the figures emerge they are scurrying to the right and left. Looking to either side he sees four or five figures already crouched in the shadows. Callista, Sally and Frank can see some movement at the well, but can't see the figures clearly.

You estimate it is 100 feet across the square to the closed, and presumably locked, doors of the Baron's mansion. Trying to cross the square, though, would put you right between the creatures to the left and right and you'd have to go right past the ones still coming out of the well.

Behind you a bell starts to gong back toward the docks.

"Fire Bell! Everyone will come out and rush to the docks, now!" Sally whispers urgently, "I can light up the square for a minute or two. Would that help?"

YOUR TURN!

Callista nods, getting her simple yet potentially deadly weapon ready. "Yeah. Please." She peers into the murk with an odd calmness, at least on the outside. "I can't see clearly enough to fight anything."

--
Bob K.

[bruce.desertrat]

Turn 1:

Code: Select all

6 / 6   Valerin
8 / 8   Callistra
4 / 4   Sally
10 / 10 Frank

Valerin (short bow), followed by Callista (morning star), Sally (bag of marbles) and Frank (long sword) set up the street. The streets are empty and quiet. Then you see flickering light reflected on the buildings from a source behind you. There is a rising level of noise coming from behind you as well. Glancing back you see the glow of flames down at the docks.

"The boats!" whispers Sally, "They have set the boats afire!"

You have reached the edge of a square where the market is held during the day. In the center is a well and beyond it is a large building, a mansion. Sally tells you in a whisper that is the Baron's house.

Valerin, with his elven night vision sees figures climbing out of the well in the middle of the square. The figures are about 3 feet tall and have long narrow snouts. Each is carrying what looks like a short bow.

As the figures emerge they are scurrying to the right and left. Looking to either side he sees four or five figures already crouched in the shadows. Callista, Sally and Frank can see some movement at the well, but can't see the figures clearly.

You estimate it is 100 feet across the square to the closed, and presumably locked, doors of the Baron's mansion. Trying to cross the square, though, would put you right between the creatures to the left and right and you'd have to go right past the ones still coming out of the well.

Behind you a bell starts to gong back toward the docks.

"Fire Bell! Everyone will come out and rush to the docks, now!" Sally whispers urgently, "I can light up the square for a minute or two. Would that help?"

YOUR TURN!

Valerin whispers "There are rat-men coming out of the well in the middle of the square all armed with bows. We will need to go through them to get to the baron's house. " he turns to Sally, "Can you do it on the run or do you have to be still? it is only about a hundred feet but we will need to fight our way through them...and there are many of them."

"I will try to shoot one as it leaves the well...that should slow them, then make the light. Hopefully it will blind them for a little while, being underground creatures and we run like the wind to the Baron's house"

He aims his bow carefully at the top of the well waiting for one to start climbing out then he'll fire.

"LIGHT" he drops his bow and draws his scimitar and starts forward...

[Eris]

Turn 2:

Code: Select all

6 / 6   Valerin
8 / 8   Callistra
4 / 4   Sally
10 / 10 Frank

Frank says, "I'll pick one off once Sally makes light."

Valerin aims his bow carefully at the top of the well waiting for one to start climbing out then he'll fire. Valerin fires his short bow at Ratman 12 and his arrow strikes it squarely in the chest, the creature collapses back into the well.

Callista gets her morning star ready and prepares to run forward.

"LIGHT" he drops his bow and draws his scimitar and starts forward...

Sally steps out into the street and takes something from a small bag she has in one hand and then throws things in a high arc toward first one side of the square and then the other. She throws several times and each time the objects hit the flagstones of the square they burst into dozens of points of light that scatter all around their landing spot. The points of light give off bright white light, but are small. Together they make the lighting in the square dim, but the creatures on both sides and in the center are clear. It appears that you are all still in enough shadow that these creatures can't see you yet.

You can see 5 creatures on the left (north) and 4 on the right (south) and 3 in the center near the well. The creatures about 3 feet tall and are all dressed in brown and have brown fur, long pointed snouts, and beady reddish eyes. They fit the description of Ratmen, sure enough!

Frank, standing in the street next to Sally aims carefully at the Ratmen on the left with the sword, he looks like the leader. Frank's arrow flies true striking Ratman 2, piercing it through the neck and it quietly collapses like a sack of flour.

"Wait here with me!" Frank says to Sally, "Let them clear the path and we'll follow. I can pick off a couple more to make our passage easier while we wait."

Valerin and Callista charge forward, they can be upon the creatures at the well by next turn! Frank and Sally remain in the shadows at the edge of the square.

Sally says, "Shoot the ones on the left and we can move along that side."

After combat

Code: Select all

6 / 6   Valerin
8 / 8   Callistra
4 / 4   Sally
10 / 10 Frank

Code: Select all

[b]Left side[/b]
1 Ratman (spear)     
2 Ratman (sword) DEAD
3 Ratman (spear)
4 Ratman (spear)
5 Ratman

Code: Select all

[b]Right side[/b]
6 Ratman (bow) 
7 Ratman (spear)
8 Ratman (spear)
9 Ratman (spear)
 

Code: Select all

[b]Center[/b]
10 Ratman (bow)
11 Ratman (bow)
12 Ratman (bow) DEAD

YOUR TURN!

[bruce.desertrat]

Valerin runs swiftly towards the ratmen at the well and swings at the closest one to him.

[bobk2323]

Valerin and Callista charge forward, they can be upon the creatures at the well by next turn! Frank and Sally remain in the shadows at the edge of the square.

Sally says, "Shoot the ones on the left and we can move along that side."

YOUR TURN!

Listening to Sally's advice, Callista attacks one of the ratmen in the leftmost group, hoping to dispatch it quickly so that she could move on to the next foe.

--
Bob K.

[Eris]

Turn 3
----
At the beginning of the turn, Valerin is charging the Ratmen in the center of the square who are climbing out of the well. Callista has started to run into the square, as well, morning star in hand. There are several of the creatures who were hiding on the left and right of the square, but Sally's...whatever it was...lit them up clearly. Frank and Sally have remained in the shadows at the edge of the square. Frank has taking down one Ratman with his bow and plans to shoot another this turn. Sally has said, "Attack the ones on the left and we'll go up that side to the Baron's Mansion."
----
Valerin runs swiftly towards the ratmen at the well and swings at Ratman 1, the nearest to him, [17,5]. The creature taken completely by surprise doesn't even have a chance to scream as he is cut down! Valerin now has two Ratmen with bows to his right. One is running toward the right side of the square, but the other is standing stock still fumbling with his bow.

Listening to Sally's advice, Callista attacks one of the ratmen in the leftmost group, hoping to dispatch it quickly so that she could move on to the next foe. Callista swings her morning star at Ratman 4's head [11,4] and knocks the creature to the ground with a resounding "crunch!" It will rise no more!

Frank takes careful aim at Ratman 7 and the arrow [11, 4] strikes true! The rat falls to the ground, its spear clattering on the stone pavement.

"Let's go!" says Frank as he begins moving up the left side of the square.

Sally following him, stops and picks up Valerin's shortbow before shouting to Valerin, "Come to the left!"

The Ratmen on the right side of the square begin to shout in high pitched voices calling out to the ones on the left in a language none of you know. The 2 remaining on the left look bewildered, and then turn toward Callista and begin to advance on her. Two of those on the right start to run into the square toward Valerin, while the other two remain where they are.



YOUR TURN!

[bruce.desertrat]

Valerin swings at the one standing still. I think that's 3 in the list...

[Eris]

OOC: Waiting for Bob. If I don't hear from him, and I can post tomorrow, I'll post the next turn with Callista attacking one of the two Spearmen bearing down on her.

[bobk2323]

The Ratmen on the right side of the square begin to shout in high pitched voices calling out to the ones on the left in a language none of you know. The 2 remaining on the left look bewildered, and then turn toward Callista and begin to advance on her. Two of those on the right start to run into the square toward Valerin, while the other two remain where they are.


YOUR TURN!

Inwardly displeased by having two opponents at once, the very tall woman attacks the closest one to her, trying to angle it in such a way that her target provides some cover from the other one's possible attack.

--
Bob K.

[Eris]

Turn 4
----
At the beginning of the turn, Valerin is in the center of the square facing one bowman who is hesitating and one running away. Spearmen from the right side are charging him! Callista has run to the left of the square and killed one Ratman, but two more are coming toward her with spears. Frank and Sally, who stopped to pick up Valerin's dropped shortbow, have moved forward toward the left side of the square.
----
Valerin swings at the one standing still, Ratman 3 [14,6] drops as the scimitar slices through him.

Both of the ratmen approaching Callista thrust their spears toward her, one glances off, the other is a clean miss. Inwardly displeased by having two opponents at once, Callista attacks Ratman 6 trying to angle it in such a way that her target provides some cover from the other one's possible attack. Her morning star [17,5] crushes the creature's skull killing it.

Frank trots forward, then stops and aims at the remaining spearman on the left. This time [7] his arrow flies by the creature missing it. Sally holds up Valerin's bow and shouts loudly! The remaining spearman on the left panics and throwing down his spear turns and runs for the shadows deeper into the market area to the left of the square.

The doors to the Manion on the other side of the square burst open and a dozen men rush out. They are lightly armed and armored, because they are responding to the fire bell ringing down at the docks. However, they quickly size up the situation and several rush to join Valerin at the well, and the group make short work of the Ratmen there. Several more turn and run toward the right side of the square. The Ratmen there break and run...clearly their attempted ambush has seriously failed!

You are now alone with the men from the Baron's household and his guards in the square.

"I am Baron John." says a tall man from the center of the pack then asking, "What is going on here?"

OUT of Combat, for now! Resume roleplaying mode. However as my power has just gone out, running on UPS, this might be my last post for some time. Sorry.

[bruce.desertrat]

You are now alone with the men from the Baron's household and his guards in the square.

"I am Baron John." says a tall man from the center of the pack then asking, "What is going on here?"

Valerin says "These creatures came up out of the well, and I think elsewhere, it appears. Apparently the boats have been fired. I do not know if these creatures were a feint, opportunistic, or the vanguard of a larger invasion. We should beware of places where old tunnels can come up."

He turns to Sally "My thanks for your help with the light, and for retrieving my bow." he bows to her briefly.

Forgot to ask, what do arrows cost? They were not on the price list in the free users guide...I need to get some.

[Eris]

You are now alone with the men from the Baron's household and his guards in the square.

"I am Baron John." says a tall man from the center of the pack then asking, "What is going on here?"

Valerin says "These creatures came up out of the well, and I think elsewhere, it appears. Apparently the boats have been fired. I do not know if these creatures were a feint, opportunistic, or the vanguard of a larger invasion. We should beware of places where old tunnels can come up."

He turns to Sally "My thanks for your help with the light, and for retrieving my bow." he bows to her briefly.

Sally blushes slightly and says, "You're welcome." turning to the Baron, Sally says, "The Mouse Folk warned us that the Rats were attacking. Kate and some adventurers went down into our basement to stop them and these adventurers and I ran to you to let you know. If it wasn't for them, I'd have never made it!"

The Baron sends his men off to spread the warning and secure the area then says to Valerin, Callistra, Frank and Sally, "I need to return to the Mansion and contact the Mouse Queen and find out exactly what the situation is. Come with me."

As he and a young man of about 15 walk back to the open doors of the mansion with you the Baron says, "I knew your mother. I think you and your sisters inherited her...urm...gifts. I can see you inherited her looks and fire. But, just how is it you know of the Mouse and Rat folk? You haven't been breaking my law have you?"

"Ur, well..." Sally blushes more then adds, "You'll have to ask Kate for how we came to know about them, but no. None of us have broken your law. We do not go below our basement, never have, but your law doesn't say we can't do business with them if they come up to us."

"Oh!" says, Baron John, "I see. Yes, yes, that would be a loophole in my directive wouldn't it?"

The young man striding along next to the Baron says, "Sally is smart Father. She's in my class and matches my grades most of the time. The teacher advanced her two grades even though she doesn't get to come to school when the convoy's come in."

"Matches?" Sally starts to say then appears to bite her tongue, and blushes again saying quietly, "I'll apprentice on my next birthday and you'll have the school honors all to yourself again, Robert."

Forgot to ask, what do arrows cost? They were not on the price list in the free users guide...I need to get some.

OOC: Arrows are 1 gp for 10, 2 gp for 20. Bolts are also 1 gp for 10.

[bobk2323]

The Baron sends his men off to spread the warning and secure the area then says to Valerin, Callistra, Frank and Sally, "I need to return to the Mansion and contact the Mouse Queen and find out exactly what the situation is. Come with me."

"Okay." Callista's response is muted as usual. Looking around at the scene around her with all the raw emotion of someone reading municipal water-use regulations, the tall woman follows along.

--
Bob K.

[Eris]

The Baron sends his men off to spread the warning and secure the area then says to Valerin, Callistra, Frank and Sally, "I need to return to the Mansion and contact the Mouse Queen and find out exactly what the situation is. Come with me."

"Okay." Callista's response is muted as usual. Looking around at the scene around her with all the raw emotion of someone reading municipal water-use regulations, the tall woman follows along.

The Baron, his son, a pair of bodyguards and the rest of you head inside the mansion. The interior is not especially impressive compared to some of the places y'all have seen in the past.

"I haven't seen any of you before." the Baron says, "Did you come in on the latest convoy?"

Inside you are greeted by three women one of about the Baron's age, one somewhat older and a younger woman. The older and younger women are dressed in clothing that indicates they are maids or companions, while the one about the Baron's age is dressed as one of the gentry.

"What is the issue, husband?" asks the well dressed woman.

"The rats have attacked the city!" says the Baron adding, "You and Marie should lock yourselves in your chambers. I'll post guards and make sure the entrance to the undercity is secure. Then I will see to securing the town."

[bruce.desertrat]

The Baron, his son, a pair of bodyguards and the rest of you head inside the mansion. The interior is not especially impressive compared to some of the places y'all have seen in the past.

"I haven't seen any of you before." the Baron says, "Did you come in on the latest convoy?"

By habit of casing places, Valerin takes in the interior, (stairs, levels, thickness of doors, etc) he's seen better, he's certainly seen worse. Not all wealthy, powerful people give away the extent their wealth and power by their choice of dwelling.

Does he look legit noble or just the guy with the biggest gang here? IE are his men conducting themselves more or less professionally?

"I came just recently to Antioch, M'lord. We arrived on the convoy only today. This place is certainly more...exciting than Ribble." he says dryly.

[bobk2323]

The Baron, his son, a pair of bodyguards and the rest of you head inside the mansion. The interior is not especially impressive compared to some of the places y'all have seen in the past.

"I haven't seen any of you before." the Baron says, "Did you come in on the latest convoy?"

"Yes. (pause) I've never been to this town before."

--
Bob K.