Re: Chapter 25: Into the Caves of Hidden Canyon
Windham had turned to run after dropping the last of the bait, but the swarm of squealing rats catches up to him much faster than he had imagined. Hundreds of the rodents attack the investigator with teeth and claws.
Meanwhile, the Wolverine sees the swarm split into two. One mass stays with him; another continues its rush down the tunnel. Perhaps they have smelled the bait further along, as the professor had hoped.
The men hear, and finally see, the swarm of rats rushing forth. A mass of them pass Tracy, whom they can just barely see now because of his lantern light. The heroes can act, but not before the swarm spills into the entryway and attacks.
OOC: The three pards waiting to ambush the swarm got a card because everyone succeeded on the Notice roll. There is no bonus for a raise on that roll.
Initiative
Earnest Six Diamonds Fourth
Jake Two Spades, Nine Clubs Third
Tommy Nine Spades, Jack Clubs Second
Tracy Four Diamonds Fifth
Rat Swarm King Hearts First
Swarms are fast ... and nasty. The Judge got a wicked roll.
09:54, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 13 using 2d4, rerolling max with rolls of (4+4+2)10,3. Rat Swarm damage (all 4 characters).
That's 13 damage on each character. Good thing the heroes have makeshift armor or two of them would have suffered 2 Wounds.
Instead, all four characters take 1 Wound and are Shaken.
If you have Bennies, you may use to Soak. Please do that NOW. Remember, on your turn you get a chance to Unshake for free, but if you want to attempt to Soak the Wound from the swarm, you need to do that right after it happens--here on RPOL that means before you roll or post anything else.
Tracy had indicated he was starting to run, but he can change that if he chooses to stop or move normal pace this round. It's about 15 yards from the bend to the entryway, where his pards are. Of course, it ain't his turn, yet.
It is Tommy's turn. He may go at anytime, but as above he must roll Soak before anything else if he is going to spend a Benny and attempt it. After that, if he is still Shaken (doesn't Soak the Wound), he can make a Spirit roll to Unshake on his turn. As a reminder, when Shaken, you can move but cannot take actions.