Session 1: The House of the Three Squires

[Rusty Tincanne]

Swelan uses his sword to test the top few steps, using the blunt edge to test the strength and sturdiness of the steps before venturing to put any weight on them. We're likely to need a torch or lantern if we're going down there.*

*I'm assuming it is dark in the cellar. Or are there torches out for us?

[Marullus]

Isabella finally exhales as the door swings open without exploding. "Huh. Maybe they don't have anything that explodes. You know... I could make them some..." she drifts wistfully a few moments as Swelan tests the steps.

At the mention of the lantern, which hangs unlit in her hand, she blushes. "Oh... Right." She lights the lantern.

[Faolan7]

Correct. It is dark in the cellar. Also, Magda was the one who planned to be in dim light since she doesn't get penalties for it, right?

Light: Isabelle's Lantern (3 Turns remaining)

Swelan: The stairs are splintered and gouged. Pressing against the stairs doesn't seem to cause anything to happen.

[Enoch]

That's correct--she faces no penalty for dim light, so in uncertain situations like this she's going to lurk at the edge of the light even if there's enough light for her to be in full light.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Swelan turns to Isabelle. Perhaps that book wasn't as accurate as it could have been. So far these kobolds don't seem so mischievous. Shall we? Continuing to prod the steps ahead of him, Swelan starts down the stairs, slowly.

[coil23]

Peitharian mutters, Rickety stairs are a kobold's dream when it comes to chicanery. I like this not. Stay close to me, girl.

[Enoch]

Magda pads along at the edges of the torchlight, her crossbow at the ready. She alternates between pointing it in the direction of the darkened staircase and panning about, watching behind the group and for any unexpected changes.

[Faolan7]

How are you guys going down the stairs? Are you all going down together to stay in the light?

[Marullus]

My understanding is that Swelan is out front, earning his Scout test the hard way by himself. He's at the forward limit of the lantern light. Isabelle is sticking near Peitharian and holding the lantern. Magda is hanging at the rear, in the Dim Light, and covering us and the rear from surprise. Unless some of us aid Swelan, I expect he'll absorb any consequences for his failed roll alone.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Sheesh!
But true.

[Enoch]

That's my understanding also.

[Faolan7]

When Swelan steps onto the stairs, they creak in protest, but the rickety stairs hold. Peitharian and Isabelle follow close behind to be sure Swelan stays in the light. The stairs creak louder as the humans step onto the stairs, and before you take two steps, the stairs collapse!

Swelan, Peitharian, and Isabelle need to make an Ob 2 Health test. Magda hadn't gotten on the stairs before they collapsed.

I hadn't brought this up or asked for a test when Swelan tested the stairs because it can withstand the weight of two medium creatures. If you think this is unfair, I'd allow Swelan to make a Scout test to try to find it and then you guys can find a way around the rickety stairs.

[Marullus]

Hurdles result in tests which results in success-or-consequences. In this case you are giving three tests for individual consequences, so I don't think we can complain.

Isabelle pads cautiously down the stair, Morgul beside her and Peitharian as close as she can manage for both comfort and protection. She thoughtfully considers where to place her feet, where to hold on with her free hand... When the stairs give way, she "eeps," but braces herself to avoid tumbling as best she can.

(Health 2D +1D Fresh +1D Thoughtful)
[1d6] = 5 [1d6] = 3 [1d6] = 4 [1d6] = 4
(One successful test marked for Health)

[Rusty Tincanne]

You asked us to clarify our positions, giving us a clue that something was amiss and we gave our responses; our scouting instinct was in the rear. Your judgement is fine with me. TB certainly felt like a hard, hard game when Steven Ross GM'd it. And here I am, back for more.

Can you tell us the campaign ID? I feel weird rolling without linking the roll to the campaign:
4D health -1 D Cadaverous. [1d6] = 5[1d6] = 5[1d6] = 6


Swelan advances to the edge of the light and is relieved that the tales of kobold treachery was overstated. Despite the groaning of the stairs, he waves the others forward to offer more light. As the stairs splinter beneath their combined weight, he utters a curse. He lands hard on his side, glad his sword did not impale him. A mortal man might have incurred injury, but Sir Swelan is not mortal. He is body is a lifeless cage and cannot feel pain. He rises, clears the debris and assists the others to their feet. Watch your step, young Magda. These creature are unlikely to offer us any hospitality.

Passed Health. Check earned against Cadaverous Trait.
And that is probably the last fantastic roll I will see.

[Faolan7]

I totally forgot about that. Sorry. I just made it. The id is 511.

I repeat, the campaign id is 511.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Thanks Faolin!

And I was thinking Coil might want input about rolling for a test.

You have 4D6 from your health, plus 1D6 for being fresh. That gives you 5D6 vs an Ob2. Any roll of 3 or less is a fail, rolls of 4 or more are a success. Failing to get at least 2 successes will likely result in Peith gaining Injured condition, which results in -1D for most tests.

You can use your traits either for or against yourself, depending on your risk aversion. Using them in your favor increases the chance of success a bit, whereas using them against yourself decreases the chance of success and gains a check. But even if you use a trait against yourself, you'll still be rolling 4d6.

I could see the Loner trait being used if you had pushed Magda off the stairs at the last second (a bit of a stretch, perhaps), or Touched by the Gods if you ignored your instinct that this was a trap. Good luck.

[coil23]

Peitharian's Ob2 check (passed...and he didn't even have to push anyone down the stairs)

[1d6] = 4[1d6] = 4[1d6] = 1[1d6] = 1[1d6] = 3

[Faolan7]

Everyone passed their tests! Magda is standing at the top of the stairwell, and Isabelle, Peitharian, and Swelan are at the bottom.

End turn 2. 11 turns until end of session.
Light: Isabelle's lantern (2 Turns remaining)

The room below is large and has a low ceiling. It is rather cold and dank. There are numerous tables, chairs, and crates scattered around the room. The struggle appears to have occurred down here as well. Much of the furniture is destroyed, scorch marks mar the walls and floor, and there are numerous pools of blood.

[Enoch]

How far down is the room (how long were the stairs)? Is it something that looks like it could be jumped fairly safely (i.e., without a test), or would it be more reasonable to climb down carefully?

Magda crouches at the top of the now-ruined staircase. "Is everyone all right?" she hisses.

[Marullus]

"We're okay! Nobody is bleeding," Isabelle replies quickly to either reassure or dissuade the vampire; she really isn't sure which. "Lots of old blood, though..." Her curiosity reasserts as she holds the lantern up and peers around. How fresh are the blood puddles? Are there any exits? Further signs of a blood trail?