Where Angels fear to tread: Fawkes & Goran

[Stirling]

Fawkes

Wary of the Sewer channel, I think not just of alligators or rats but maybe sewer octopus or tentacled creatures that might pull stragglers off. Not that I want to give ideas.

"Let's check out the blockage". he says, thinking that if the tunnel and ceiling are secure and not crumbling, maybe the rubble is purposely made, like a cairn to cover an Icon's body? In character we know the fates of three icons, Ogre, Phanstern and Blodgett.

[Ythgar]

Goran

In thief’s can’t: ”Second blockage might be good for ambushing, we might both hide and both have room to backstab.”

disregard luck stone adjustment
Hide in Shadows 50- :[1d100-5]=86-5=81 (luckstone)

[Straither]

Tunnels.

Sewer Network.

11.10am
Illumination: infravision & enchanted dagger.

Fawkes & Goran begin to search through the rubble pile, tossing the stones aside to see if any treasure, tools or bodies of Icons are buried beneath. The sewer walkway extends along the side channel wall right up to the foot of the rubble pile. The sewer does not proceed further, this channel ends actually in a grated drain that empties into the channel as a tributary source of sewage; the tunnel doesn't extend further but ends in a wall a few feet behind the rubble. Clearing the rubble away is strenuous but relatively easy but no treasure or Icon's body are found. As you work, Goran hears a familiar rattling sound, like keys in a lock and to his horror he sees that behind the rubble there appears to be a false door that is camouflaged to make it look as though part of a seamless wall.

Sewer Network: random encounter vs 1 [1d6]=1Tunnel trouble [1d10]=3 Guards [2d6]=6 Ogre vs 10% [1d100]=12

While Fawkes decides to slip away, partially submerging himself into the sewer channel and squeezing into the far corner niche of rubble, (pass Hide roll) the Halfling Goran is caught more in the open on the walkway. The dilemma of hide, dive or flight costs precious seconds and the concealed door opens just as he makes his mind up. (fail Hide roll).

The lead Orc filing through the concealed door is just as surprised to see a diminutive vagabond wandering the tunnels as he. Both gape for a moment before he steps onto the side walkway, another quintet of Orcs filing in behind him.

"We got a 'sewer rat' on the loose here. Is that the Imposter boss wanted? Dead or Alive?" he says, lifting a firebrand to get a better look at the retreating Halfling.

Fawkes 5/17hp
Goran 5/16hp.

next actions

[Stirling]

Fawkes

I have to idea to let Goran lead them away and I sneak behind the last one, hoping to silently backstab him and then do the fifth in line, then the fourth, etc. It sounds great and works in comic books and those assassin annuals you get as kids at winterfest.

Otherwise it will be a straight melee against the odds. I have no more prayers and outright face-to-face brutality won't be the best. Surrender or swimming with Sewer gators not a good choice either.

[Ythgar]

Goran

Goran will continue retreating toward - and along - the sewer ledge to minimize how many can engage him and to lure them to where Fawkes can strike. His preference is past the sinning door mechanism and to their makeshift perch if that direction is available.

[Straither]

Tunnels

Sewer Network

Fawkes blended into the background, becoming as one with the rubble and sewage as the Orc patrol exit through the concealed door. Goran, standing on the walkway has less time to react and less shadows to hide in, instead he retreats back along the walkway towards the secret rotating door. Crossbow shafts ping along the wall above his head, causing him to hunch over even more.

He doesn't get far however as the lead two Orcs chase him down, intent on overbearing him and taking him in for questioning.

Orcs: light crossbow bolts [1d20]=8 [1d6+1]=6+1=7 [1d20]=10 [1d6+1]=4+1=5

Guards: try to subdue Goran: [1d20]=2 [1d20]=18

The Halfling rogue is tackled but covered in sewage Goran is as slippery as the colloquial 'shite on a shovel' and in trying to wrestle free, he and his grappling opponent tumble over the edge and submerge into the sewer channel.

Orc Sgt: Crossbow [1d20+1]=11+1=12 [2d4+1]=3+1=4

Gators vs Goran or Guard [1d2]=2 [1d20]=13 [2d6]=8

The Sgt levels his crossbow to aim where the Halfling fell in but he cannot train his sight effectively and then to add to the mayhem there are suddenly more splashes, as a dark reptilian figure lunges with an explosive surge from under the ledge. After a brief flurry of limbs, the sewer current bursts into a cloud of red! A thrash of a tail and a death roll grip on an unlucky victim. The guard to grabbed and torn apart.

The Orcs spread out to vainly help their comrade and to locate Goran. It provides a little window for Fawkes to sneakily backstab the last one in the line, which he does, smashing his enchanted club into the back of the head of his victim. While he can relish in the killing, it is not a silent assassination, (fail from Move Silently, I used your Hide success to give you the surprise backstab and used the MS to check if killing was silent or not). the Orc guard falling too into the sewer channel to be set upon by another voracious sewer croc.

Fawkes: Macuahuitl melee [1d20+5]=8+5=13 double damage [2d4+1]=5+1=6

Fawkes: Move Silently thief skill vs 26% [1d100]=46

As Goran faces his own challenges underwater, Fawkes now faces four angry and vengeful Orc guards.

Fawkes 10/17hp
Goran 5/16hp.

next action please

[Stirling]

Fawkes

Will press an attack, ineffectively against the nearest Orc.

Fawkes: Macuahuitl melee [1d20+1]=9+1=10 [2d4+1]=5+1=6

[Straither]

Tunnels.

Sewer Network.

Orcs: light crossbow bolts [1d20]=2 [1d6+1]=6+1=7 [1d20]=1 [1d6+1]=3+1=4

Surprised by the sudden attack of the sewage camouflaged, shaven headed, bone-vested maniac wielded a great club covered in razor shards of obsidian blades, the Orcs tremble as they trigger crossbows at him, such fearsome dread quaking them.

"Outta my way, he's just another sewer dwelling scumbag." the Sgt pushes his men aside and at point blank range, triggers his crossbow at Fawkes -6hp, grunting with satisfaction as the cleric-rogue gets impaled.

Orc Sgt: Crossbow [1d20+1]=18+1=19 [2d4+1]=5+1=6

Goran tries to swim away. Diving below the floating waste on the surface and dodging the next Gator drawn instinctively to the scene by the thrashing frenzy caused by the feasting on the two slain Orcs. The last Orc guardsman pings another crossbow bolt in hope to nail the sewer rat Halfling, but Goran is not spotted accurately and the bolt goes wide of the mark. The Orc guardsman perseveres with tracking the Halfling, heading down the walkway towards the arched bridge.

Gators vs Goran or Guard [1d2]=2 [1d20]=3 [2d6]=10Orcs: light crossbow bolts [1d20-4]=3-4=-1 [1d6+1]=5+1=6

He takes a deep breathe, allowing the strong undercurrent in the channel to speed his passage downstream. He would try and grab the walkway ledge once he resurfaces, but as the ledges are a few feet higher than the sewage, his short arms hinder his escape. As you travel you feel the current gets a little stronger, pulling you away from the newly constructed bridge and towards the tunnel bend.

next actions Fawkes in melee with Orcs

Goran swimming in the sewer channel.

Fawkes 4/17hp
Goran 5/16hp.

[Stirling]

Fawkes

"You may take my life but you will never take my freedom!" he bellows, striking out at the Orc Sgt.

Fawkes: Macuahuitl melee [1d20+1]=18+1=19 [2d4+1]=5+1=6

[Straither]

Tunnels:

Sewer Network.

The Halfling cannot hold his breath underwater too long, surfacing to grab hold of a floating log. Which alarmingly thrashes to snap at him, drawn to the increasingly bloody waters upstream. There are four crocs in the channel, Goran eventually bring swept by them and away from their feasting frenzy. The last of the Orc guards, standing on the arched bridge takes a random potshot, a last effort to target the swimmer.

Goran swims against a strong undercurrent in the water channel that draws him downstream, buffeting flotsam and waste as he goes along. Reaching the turn in the channel, he is caught up in a small whirlpool as sewage flows in from both directions and goes around and around until emptying through a plughole drain in the channel floor.

The drain is wide enough to swallow a person drawn into it and the suction to pull down waste objects floating above is very forceful. It threatens to draw the Halfling swimmer in and he fights to free himself from the pressure.

Gators vs Goran or Guard [1d2]=1 [1d20]=4 [2d6]=4

Orcs: light crossbow bolts [1d20-4]=13-4=9 [1d6+1]=6+1=7

Drain suction vs 22% [1d100]=3

It seems Luck is still with him even if swallowed in his own back passage, Goran bypasses the whirlpool and eventually comes to grab a ledge of the walkway and can try to clamber out.

Meanwhile Fawkes is engaged against a trio of guard Orcs. He hits the Sgt Orc, -6hp, a powerful blow but not enough to slay him. The trio return attacks, the Sgt unloading a wild crossbow and the two others drawing blades to press him in melee. All three are ineffective and the fight goes on.

Guards: [1d20]=7 [1d6]=3 [1d20]=7 [1d6]=6Orc Sgt: Crossbow [1d20+1]=9+1=10 [2d4+1]=4+1=5

Next Actions Fawkes in melee, Goran exiting the sewer channel.

Fawkes 4/17hp
Goran 5/16hp.

[Stirling]

Fawkes

Keeps his press aimed at the Orc Sgt.

Fawkes: Macuahuitl melee [1d20+1]=2+1=3 [2d4+1]=6+1=7

[Straither]

As Goran struggles to clamber out of the sewer channel, Fawkes continues his melee.

He presses through to try and smash the Orc Sgt but missed, taking a minor wound, -1hp for his trouble.

Orc Sgt: Crossbow [1d20+1]=5+1=6 [2d4+1]=4+1=5

Guards: [1d20]=4 [1d6]=1 [1d20]=16 [1d6]=1

Melee continues ...

Next attacks & Actions please.

Fawkes 3/17hp
Goran 5/16hp.

[Stirling]

Fawkes

Determined to fight to the end, hoping while I have these Orc guards distracted by stabbing me, Goran can sneak up on them from behind.

I attack the Sgt Orc again.

Fawkes: Macuahuitl melee [1d20+1]=17+1=18 [2d4+1]=3+1=4

[Straither]

Tunnels: Sewer Network.

Goran: attribute check [1d20]=7 Thieves skill check [1d100]=37

Goran manages to extricate himself from the excrement and flotsam that flows towards the Sewer Drain. He is alone in the passage and sneaks so tip-toe quietly that even the rats nibbling the mossy growths and fungi along the Sewer tunnel wall are not disturbed by his passing. He makes it up the diagonal passage and peers around the corner, spitting a lone Orc guard who stands crossbow in hand upon the arched bridge, some sixty feet away. The Orc peers into the sewer channels that run along and under the bridge, not detecting any floating Halfling body to confirm your demise.

Fawkes slays the Orc Sgt, -4hp, pushing his body into the sewer to be feasted upon by the quarter of crocodiles. Fawkes' regenerative ring lapping up a streak of blood to re-energise the cleric-rogue, +2hp, just in time for more blood letting as the two Orc guards continue to assault him. -3hp.

Fawkes 2/17hp
Goran 5/16hp.

next actions please.

[Stirling]

Fawkes

Realises he cannot win in a war of attrition. So tries to add some verbal finesse to his clumsy attacks.

Fawkes: Macuahuitl melee [1d20+1]=7+1=8 [2d4+1]=4+1=5

"Four down, two to go. Unless you scuttle away like sewer rats."

[Straither]

I have nudged Ythgar for a post. I will wait as couple of days then update as his actions may be critical to the scene.

[Ythgar]

Goran

Goran continues his silent approach on the orc who is busy watching the water, intent on backstabbing him and hopefully gaining the crossbow in the process. Traveling alone hopefully his 4 in 6 halfling surprise helps out here paired with his thief skills.

If he feels the scimitar will allow him to bacstab, he’ll use that as his primary, otherwise he’ll go with his mundane dagger, his magical dagger offhand in either case. So Goran is not proficient with either dagger (it’s his next pick) or scimitar, -3, offhand is 0/-1 at 18 dex, and if backstabbing +4, so net I believe that is [1d20+1] and [1d20-1]

If the orc spots Goran on his approach before Goran can melee attack, his plan is to rush the orc and slide tackle the orc into the sewer, hopefully without himself going in as well.

Backstab non-proficient (THAC1 20): [1d20+1]=2+1=3, [1d20-1]=11-1=10

Scimitar damage (double if backstab): [1d8]=8

Magic Dagger damage (double if backstab): [1d4+1]=2+1=3


Ugh, maybe the orc will spot him and the slide tackle will work . . .

[Ythgar]

Goran

Stealth checks, don’t include the luckstone:
Move Silently 53- :[1d100-5]=45-5=40 (luckstone)
Hide in Shadows 50- :[1d100-5]=68-5=63 (luckstone)

[Straither]

Tunnels: Sewer Network.

Whilst Fawkes defends himself, Goran sneaks up on the action. He peers around the bend in the sewer tunnel to spy upon the Orc guard who wards the arched bridge over the side channel. Barely 60'ft away, the thief believes a successful sneak will see him creep up on the unsuspecting guard once his attention is focused elsewhere.

Keeping to the shadows and tip-toeing with his back to the wall, one eye on the guard, the other on the stream of sewage. The sneaky progression looks and feels good until when you reach the middle point of the walkway leading to the bridge. At this point there is the maelstrom of sewage churning round and round until it is sucked below into the drainage pipe and away elsewhere under the city. To take advantage of that deathtrap whirlpool, the Orcs have installed a tilting ledge right in front of the drain. Anyone walking across the walkway unaware of the tilt will fall into the sewage at this point unless precautions are taken. The Halfling sneaks back to the wall and at this point alone, the whole flagstone rises upwards. You get halfway then the floor gives way, tilting downwards and unless you were balanced back to the wall, it would tip you in. necessitating more checks to swim free of the suctioning power to drag you inside the drain.

Instead the grating stone alerts the bridge guard and despite your best efforts, your ability to Hide failed check is negated and you are exposed.

Orc. Crossbow [1d20]=1 [1d6+1]=4+1=5

The guard triggers his crossbow which malfunctions. Choosing then to draw blades, he rushes at you and you leap from balancing on the edge of the tilting walkway trap to engage in melee.

Orc. Melee [1d20]=10 [1d8]=2

Both Orc and Halfling miss in their attacks, the duel proceeds.

Fawkes meanwhile faces double trouble as the two Orc guards he taunts resists his mockery.

"Four down, two to go"

"No, you pair are the 'two to go'! We are three!" they say pointing downstream to the other melee.

Guards: [1d20]=2 [1d6]=5 [1d20]=6 [1d6]=2

But their word-play is stronger than their swordplay and both miss wounded you.

Next Actions please.

Fawkes 2/17hp
Goran 5/16hp.

[Stirling]

Fawkes

Fawkes: Macuahuitl melee [1d20+1]=13+1=14 [2d4+1]=4+1=5

"With truth and justice on our side, we outnumber you!" he says and strikes at one.