Chapter 31: On the Trail of The Ripper

[jemmus]

I've got a few coins as well, Faron says. "Time to spot a rich, greedy merchant," the thief thinks.

[Inferno]

Beneath Blackchapel, Hookhill, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day One. After midnight. Saturday, December 24th, 576 CY
Cold, cloudy







After surviving the harrowing crucible of the undercity, the resolute heroes believe they have found the lair of that which men call the Hookhill Ripper!

In the desolate, empty street, Faron and Telkis advise that they retreat with that hard-won information, to recover before they investigate further.

Ingrid risks using "black magic" in the open. She heals Urdur (+7hp) and the invisible gnome shakily returns to consciousness.

Then the priestess summons water enough for the doomed heroes to clean themselves. Soaking wet and shivering in the icy air, they urgently need shelter from the wintry cold.

Bo and Jerome confirm the wet footprints of the Almost Men lead to the once-stately door of a darkened, abandoned mansion whose elegance, grandeur and opulence are long lost and forgotten.


Actions?!





PC Status:

Faron, Human Thief 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 6/22
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 3/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 13/25, Spells: 2/5 1st lvl, 5/5 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Jerome, Human Paladin 4: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 5/23, Laying Hands: 0/1
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 26/38, Spells: 4/6 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 5: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 18/37
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 2/11, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl, 1/2 2nd lvl, Invisible

PC Magic:

Protection From Evil, 10' Radius (Jerome)
Invisibility (Urdur): Target: self

Player Resources:

Tale of Terror (the story so far)
A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome is torn between exhaustion and bloodloss vs. duty. Duty wins. We know where they are- we should strike now, before any other fallen women are sacrificed.
He squares his shoulders- stifling a grunt of pain- and draws his blade, ready to enter the manse.

[jemmus]

Well then, here goes, Faron says. At least it should be warmer in there. He goes along with the paladin, his glowing longsword sheathed so as not to attract attention on the street.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser stares up at the shell of the stately home. Darkness and secrets. Does it ever end?

"We know where they are, indeed. Who knows what foulness resides within? We need to rest and recover before entering... don't we?" Weakened, he looks at each in turn to find confirmation.

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo looks around at the empty streets and alleys, hoping to find a suitable place to shelter for the night.

"After barely being able to move through the city earlier, these abandoned streets are a bit of a concern. Why are there no vagrants filling the alleys as we saw before? Are we the only ones foolish enough to walk this neighborhood at night?"

[Urson]

For clarification, Jerome has not yet moved away from the group. He's waiting for the others to ready themselves.

[SocraticLawyer]

Shaking invisibly, Urdur says Shouldn't we rest and attack them at full strength during the day?
I took some silvers off the thugs that attacked us. We may be able to find someplace for tonight.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser begrudgingly admits he has coin if needed.

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

We are injured. My spells are depleted. It is dark and we would be entering their territory where they will have us at a disadvantage. We should find somewhere to sleep tonight- whether that is an inn or we find an abandoned building- other than that one, of course, she says, pointing to the mansion. We can heal up and be ready in the morning. They kill at night- maybe they have some weakness brought about by the light. At the very least, we will see better than we would if we confront them now, and that could make the difference between victory and death.

[ChubbyPixie]

"It'd be a death sentence for Urdur, Jerome. And probably Mouser, too. Come to think of it, Faron, you look like one solid blow might take you down. I agree with Ingrid. These are clearly something evil. Maybe we'll have an advantage in the day. We can come back first thing. That's my vote." says Telkis.

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome's face reddens with fury. He starts to speak, then shakes his head and calms himself. Cuthbert forgive me. You're right.

[Inferno]

Beneath Blackchapel, Hookhill, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day One. After midnight. Saturday, December 24th, 576 CY
Cold, cloudy







"Cuthbert forgive me. You're right."

On the doorstep of the lair of the Hookhill Ripper, the doomed heroes withdraw from its dread, forbidding shadow.

Drenched to the bone, they stagger shivering through the icy, desolate streets of the labyrinthine slum.

No inn awaits them here with roaring fires and soft, warm beds.

Instead they find the abandoned, burned out shell of an old workhouse whose door hangs open like a broken jaw. Cautiously, they enter.




Within the crumbling ruin hide other forlorn vagrants, not unlike the heroes.




The lost, bereft souls huddle around a meagre fire.

Broken long ago by the cruel city, they present no imminent threat.


Actions?!





PC Status:

Faron, Human Thief 5: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 6/22
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 3/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 13/25, Spells: 2/5 1st lvl, 5/5 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Jerome, Human Paladin 4: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 5/23, Laying Hands: 0/1
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 26/38, Spells: 4/6 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 5: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 18/37
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 2/11, Spells: 1/3 1st lvl, 1/2 2nd lvl, Invisible

PC Magic:

Protection From Evil, 10' Radius (Jerome)
Invisibility (Urdur): Target: self

Player Resources:

Tale of Terror (the story so far)
A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[ravenn4544]

Mouser will move in quietly to search for and hidden threat - and more likely a corner they can defend for themselves.

[jemmus]

Faron wishes he'd brought at least one torch to burn as firewood. He takes out his iron rations. Getting some food in you will keep you warm. Well, not exactly warm, but less freezing than no food. Anyone need some? He looks around at the group. Urdur-- invisible, but known to be barely alive. Mouser-- almost dead. Jerome and himself-- the same. Ingrid and Telkis-- not much better off. He indicates his remaining six days of rations to the group, carefully not to make a show of them to the other vagrants in the room.

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo starts to set up a sleeping area in whatever corner they secure for the night. He looks around for any burnable vines or other plants he might be able to expediate the growth of with his magic to buy them enough firewood to get through the cold night. (Plant Growth)

He takes the liberty to use the power of his Shalm to rid himself of any infections he may have obtained in the fun sewage they just left. (Cure Disease)

Following Faron's lead, he offers some of his rations to anyone in the group who might need them as well, eating from the preserves himself once they are all settled in.

If they are able to set up a spot to survive the night, Bo eventually tries to lure the lone elderly vagrant towards them by giving him some food as well. If the opportunity presents itself, he tries to cast a spell on the man covertly, hoping for another set of eyes to watch over them throughout the night. (Charm Person, let me know if you would prefer this part be RP'd out)

Before he sleeps himself, he uses the remaining magic he has left to heal the members of the party who need it most, targeting the fighters first, if possible. (4 CLW, depending on if any of his other magic was able to be cast.)

(He could also use Heat Metal to expediate getting warm or drying out soaked clothing etc.)

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

We need to find somewhere private. We need healing, but I'd prefer not casting spells in front of people we don't know. If the others are willing to go somewhere for healing, she will use all her 1st and 2nd level slots for Cure Light Wounds for the party members, starting with Mouser and Urdur, as they have the lowest health, then moving to Faron and Jerome before healing Telkis or Bo. She will use her last 3rd level slot (she used one for Speak with Dead) to cast Create Food and Water to feed the others who have sought refuge in the building.

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur helps the others set up for the night, to the extent he can do so invisibly. If it would help and if he can do so discreetly, Urdur will cast Improved Phantasmal Force to create the illusion of a wall or something that the group can "hide" behind whilst setting up. He shares what rations he has as well.

Before the group rests, Urdur also offers to make any party member Invisible.

[ChubbyPixie]

"Wouldn't do me any good, thanks, Urdur. Maybe Mouser would benefit... though then we can't keep an eye on him in case... well, you know... any evil tomes or trinkets try to take over his mind, " says Telkis to Urdur as he settles in for the night. He'll take first watch as most of the others look like they need immediate rest more than he does.

[jemmus]

An invisible thief is an extra good thief, Faron says. I think Mouser would be a good pick. If he doesn't want the spell, I wouldn't mind taking it.