OOC - Selvin goes before Vaddis

This situation didn't seem like it would bode well for Toke's abilities but he would try to keep up best he could. He followed the rest of his party after the girl.

00:25, Today: Toke rolled 5 using 1d20+2. Initiative.

"Why are you all running?" asks Majenko. The psuedodragon has flown up beside Selvin  as you all mount what can only generously be called stairs. It is fortunate there really isn't a fire. The escape groans and sags in protest of just your group's weight. If there was an actual emergency, the whole thing would probably fall apart into splinters. There seems to be a lot of that going around Korvosa these days.

Vaddis and Selvin head up the final set of stairs from the fourth floor landing just as Tarrov reaches the fourth floor. Toke, being careful not to jiggle his various phails too much, is just leaving the third floor landing behind the bard.

The stairs head up to the southwest corner of the roof. The rope bridge you saw before is anchored midway down the western edge. A young woman...probably Trinia...is making her way across the bridge now to the far side. She is a very fit looking woman, maybe half elven, with short cropped blonde hair, fine strong legs, and a figure hourglasses could be modeled from. She's certainly the most attractive quarry you've had thus far.

She spies you at the same time and begins to bound across the bridge. The bridge shakes alarmingly.

Okay folks. This encounter as written in the book is not really PbP friendly. So I've modified it a bit to make it a little easier. Basically, it's a race. There are no maps.

Instead of worrying about movement rates and feet, we're going to measure everything in units. One unit is more or less your move score. You can move one unit and take one action a round. If you wish, you may forgo your action, hunker down, and pour on the speed, moving you ahead two units. Doing so however means you can not deal with any obstacle or complication that comes up. And oh yes. They will come up.

If you get tripped up by an obstacle, you do not advance that round. If a combat should occur, please keep in mind not all of you have to deal with it. I've altered the encounter tables to keep the combats short and manageable to one or two of you. It will be ya'lls call whether a combat needs more than one player. Trinia will also have to deal with any obstacles that come up as well. You can take damage from obstacles/complications. If you fall off a building and survive, you are out of the race. Unless you can come up with a way of rejoining it quickly.

You can of course use magic and ranged weapons. If you buff yourself to move faster, I'll award you additional Units at the end of each round. You may attack Trinia from a distance if you wish. Croft wants her alive, not undamaged. Assume each Unit between you and her is 25' in order to calculate ranges for spells or missles. Please keep in mind that 25' does not necessarily apply to running distance.

If you miss a post, I'll assume you move one Unit and take whatever action is needed to handle any obstacle.

Selvin, you can try to talk Majenko into helping you. Keep in mind he is a CR2 creature.

 You can use your action to shout at her/message her in order to try to reason with her. Fair warning. She is very, very scared.

I'm sure someone will come up with a plan I haven't thought of. Go nuts. Your job is to capture Trinia. However you do it, short of killing her, is fair game.

At the end of each round, I'll post the total numner of units everyone has moved. If/when any of your totals tie or exceed Trinia's, you may attack her/tackle her/whatever. If Trinia hits the magic number before any of you catch her, she escapes.

First complication: the rope bridge. It is sturdy enough but swaying madly. You can bound across by rolling a Reflex save or stop to steady it. Or what have you. I wouldn't recommend hunkering down....i.e. taking two Units....when crossing it.

Please post questions in the OOC thread. Sorry for the long post.

Standings at the end of round 0:

Toke-1 Unit -Location: Between third ad fourth floor landings on fire escape
Tarrov-2 Units- Location: Between fourth floor landing and roof
Selvin and Vaddis- 3 Units - On Roof, headed towards rope bridge
Trinia- 5 Units - Coming off rope bridge on the far side

Vaddis moves 1, or two units if necessary, to get to and on the bridge.

Selvin really really wished he had summoned his ally but it was too late for that as it took a full minute to do so. To the psuedodragon, he called up quietly, "We are running 'cause we need t'catch that girl up ahead without hurtin' her if we can. Wanna come with me?" He grinned widely, like it was going to be fun, which he thought it might be.

OOC: Stop to steady the rope bridge for Vaddis, and then moving across the rope bridge for 1 move. Not sure if it will take my whole round to steady or not.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:22, Sun 27 Apr 2014.

Vaddis, fair point. Below is a 'text map' of where we are. Assume one unit to move up the chain.

3rd floor landing-4th floor landing-roof-rope bridge-roof w/big hole-balance beam

Selvin lays his hands on each side of the rope bridge and pulls it, bringing he ropes taunt and steadying it. Vaddis hammers across the bridge like a well oiled steer. The paladin steps down onto the next roof as Selvin crosses. Tarrov and Toke put on a burst of speed. The bard is starting to cross the bridge as the alchemist jogs across the roof of the tenament.

Vaddis, you can see that the roof of this buildin has collapsed in the middle. A jagged canyon like fissure runs almost completely across it. Trinia has leapt over the fissure and is headed for a beam someone has laid from this roof to the next roof.

Obstacle: Cross the fissure. Roll and add your strength bonus to make it. Easy peasy.

Standings at the end of round 1:

Toke-3 Unit -Location: Roof of Tenament. Coming up to rope bridge
Tarrov-4 Units- Location: Crossing rope bridge
Selvin- 5 Units - Location: Crossing rope bridge ahead of Tarrov
Vaddis- 6 Units- Location: Jumping hole in roof w/ whole
Trinia- 7 Units - About to start on balance beam walk to roof #3

Selvin will follow after Vaddis and attempt to leap the hole in the roof once he finishes crossing the bridge. He doesn't look confident however.

08:38, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 5 using 1d20-1. Jumping? Me?

Toke noticed the group was starting to severely outpace him. He glanced reluctantly at his special pocket. Normally he wouldn't dream of taking GO without something to drink, as parched as it always made him feel, but this wasn't exactly a normal situation. He popped the chewable tablet into his mouth and let the chemicals take effect. He felt faster, much faster, like the wind was at his heels. He was also unnaturally thirsty, as was a detrimental side effect he had yet to phase out.

One thing at a time. He thought to himself. He figured the faster they got the girl, the faster he could get something to drink. He sped off trying to catch up.

Toke consumed 1 expeditious retreat.
Toke moved towards/across the rope bridge

Like a sleek, leather clad monkey about to leap to the next tree limb, Vaddis  comes to the edge of the hole. He steps down and is about to leap when the edge gives way and he tumbles down into the yawning pit. Selvin is so surprised by the paladn's fall he doesn't register the bit of floor he is stepping on crumbling and down the elf goes into the breech,

Tarrov,  maybe you sigh as you leap the pit. You risk a glance down and see your companions are unharmed. You land on the far side of the roof, pinwheeling your arms to remain standing, but make it. Ahead lies the beam of wood. Trinia is coming off the other side. The end point is a flat roof with several tents pitched on it. Squatters by the look of it, living in a shanty town on the Shingles. The beam you need to cross is wide. Should be easy enough.

Flat ginger beer with a side of lamp oil. That's what this brew tastes like Toke.  But as it burns it's way down your throat, you feel your legs begin to twitch. Before you can take a brath, you're off lie a shot. Before you know it, you're over the rope bridge and coming to the chasm. Time to jump.


Vaddis and Selvin, the hole isn't too deep. You can hoist yourselves out on the far side. You only hurt your dignities. 2 HP damage.

Toke, until your go go juice runs out, you may move 2 units a turn and take one action. You'll go three if you hunker down. Roll to jump the pit please.

Tarrov, make a reflex to cross the beam. It's suprisingly sturdy so unless you fumble it, you'll cross over to roof #3 just fine.


Standings at the end of round 2:

Toke-5 Units -Location: Jumping the pit on roof #2
Tarrov-7 Units- Location: Starting on the balance beam to cross to roof #3
Selvin- 6 Units - Location: In the pit
Vaddis- 6 Units- Location: In the pit
Trinia- 9 Units - Off the beam and running into the squatter's camp on roof #3

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Well, this isn't ideal, Tarrov thought to himself as he leaped over the pit, sparing a brief glance to make sure Vaddis and Selvin hadn't been badly injured.  Reassured that the two were pretty much okay, he reset his sights on the fleeing girl.

She was going to get herself hurt.  How to get her to slow down?

Tarrov figured all the young woman might need was a nap.  As he ran after her, he chanted the magic word that would bring an arcanely-inspired slumber upon her.

"Somnus!"  He intoned.

He really hoped this was going to work.

OOC:

22:46, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 7 using 1d20+4. Reflex Save.

Well, it wasn't a fumble, lol.

I'm assuming she's within 130', which is the range on a Sleep spell.  Tarrov will move one unit and cast the spell.

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Selvin grumbled a bit, trying not to blame Vaddis for being so heavy and making the floor give way on them. He scrambled up out of the pit on the side near the beam they needed to next cross.[

OOC: If Vaddis and Selvin can both easily make it out of the hole, then Selvin will also cross the beam. If not, then he will work with Vaddis to get them both out of the hole.

07:54, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 20 using 1d20+2. Reflex for beam.

Vaddis attempts to climb out of the hole when it is clear and the others have crossed over them! (Doesn't want to be halfway out and be jumped into by one of his own team.)

10:16, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 19 using 1d20+3. strength check to climb out of hole.

Toke took a leap of faith, and an actual leap as he tried to jump over the pit.

21:40, Today: Toke rolled 13 using 1d20+2. Jump.
Toke moves 2 units.

Tarrov, perhaps you huffed when you shouldn't have. Trinia dives into a tent, but you doubt it's to take a nap.

Selvin and Vaddis,  as you pull yourselves out, Toke suddenly lands lightly on his feet between you. He rushes off, moving faster than either of you think you've seen him running before.


Text Map

Roof with Hole-Balance Beam-Tent City Roof

Tarrov is on the tent city roof. There are fifteen tents. Trinia ducked into tent #3. You reach the tent at the start of the next round.

Toke, roll a Reflex check. Don't fumble it and you will get across the beam just fine. You did see Trinia duck into the tent and will be there at the same time as Tarrov thanks to your go go juice. Assuming you do not fumble the balance beam and fall off, you may join Tarrov at the tent flap at the start of the next round.

Selvin and Vaddis, you will also cross the balance beam. Relfex save. Don't fumble and you'll make it fine. You will not be near the tent as you are just stepping ont the roof.


Standings at the end of round 3:

Toke- 8 Units -Location: Moving across the balance beam
Tarrov-9 Units- Location: Moving into the tent city
Selvin- 8 Units - Location: Balance Beam
Vaddis- 8 Units- Location: Balance Beam
Trinia- 9 Units - Ducked into tent #3

Wearing his armor, his 'balance' sucks. Vaddis falls from the beam to the ground below and lands with a sickening thud!

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Tarrov ran up to the tent into which the girl had disappeared.  He was glad his performance training had included a lot of cardiovascular activity; she was definitely giving them a workout!

"Trinia," he said as he ducked into the tent, trying to talk the girl down from her terror, "we're here to help you.  We want to get you someplace safe.  We can PROTECT you.  That's why we're here!  That's what we do."

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Selvin, you see Vaddis tilt sideways and fall. You wnce as he hits the side pf a building and bounces, landing heavily on  barrell of rainwater and a pimp named Lucious Lucious who was leaning against it.

Tarrov and Toke, you hear Trinia call from what sounds like the back of the tent. "I didn't kill him! And what's your protection gonna cost me? "

Vaddis. 16 points damage. Fortunately Lucious Lucious is soft.

Selvin, you arrive at the tent flap.

Tarrov, make  diplomacy or bluff check. Your call.

HP 20/36

Toke made it across the bridge and stood next to Tarrov. It seemed that Tarrov still wanted to try doing things the easy way, and Toke wasn't about to try to hinder that plan, so he stayed quiet for now.

09:39, Today: Toke rolled 18 using 1d20+5. Reflex for beam.
Whoops sorry about that, mixed up the names
This message was last edited by the player at 17:22, Fri 02 May 2014.

Selvin hesitates and makes sure that Vaddis appears to be moving still, if not uninjured. He winced but gave a nod as the other man started to slowly pick himself up. He waited for Tarrov to continue, knowing the bard was a better speaker.

OOC - Vaddis fell Toke, he's in the street below after landing on Luscious Lucius. You're beside either Selvin or Tarrov.

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"Trinia," Tarrov said, trying to be as calm and reassuring as possible after having run what felt like halfway across the city after the girl.  "Our protection won't cost you anything."  He ducked into the tent and gave the girl a reassuring smile, holding his hands up, palms out.

"We certainly don't want to hurt you.  We want to KEEP you from being hurt.  We want to know what you saw, and we want to make sure everyone in Korvosa knows that you are not the one who killed the King."  He nodded, keeping eye contact with the girl, trying to project an aura of credibility.  "We want to see whoever IS responsible punished, and we know that's not you.  And we want to see the innocent go free, without having to worry about being torn apart by an angry mob.  And that IS you.  Innocent.  Am I right?"

He held out his hand.  "We want to help you.  Let us."

OOC:

11:55, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 25 using 1d20+12. Bluff Check.

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The rustling sounds in the tent stop. For a moment everything is quiet. Then, from inside, comes a sob.

Pulling back the tent flap, you can see Trinia standing by the back of the tent, arms crossed across her chest, one hand on her mouth to try to stiffle the sounds of her weeping.

"I didn' do it." She wipes tears of her cheek with the back of her hand and takes a deep breath. "Doesn't matter if you don' believe me. It wasn't me. I just painted a portrait. He was...grabby. But I didn't sleep with him. All we did was talk. He told me abut growing up in the castle. I talked about growing up...well. Here." She waves to indicate all of the Shingles. "We both liked gingerbread. My Mom would make it sometimes. And he had like a whole kitchen full of cooks who made it for him. H gave mea gingerbread cookie when I was done. That was it. Someone said the Queen took the portrait I painted down from the wall it was hung on." She sighs and rubs her eyes. "I'm babbling. I didn't kill him. I don't know why everyone says I did. What am I suposed to do now?"

Vaddis, as you pick yourself up from the barrell-pimp wreckage, you notice a crowd has started to gather. They seem disappointed you're alive. Usually when someone falls from the Shingles, you get to go through their pockets for change.

Vaddis, you can go inside the building here and walk up the stairs to the roof.

Vaddis picks himself up off of the pimp and then looks to see if he is still alive. "Thank you for breaking my fall sir, I hope you aren't hurt too bad. Sorry, I've got to run!" Vaddis heads for the door of the neighboring building and begins climbing the steps.

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Tarrov kept his hands up to indicate the harmlessness of his purpose, moving into the room towards the girl, then kneeling down and taking her hand.  "I know you didn't do it, Trinia.  I KNOW it.  But you can't stay on the run forever.  They'll find you, or the mobs will, and they won't be people who believe in you like I do."

He paused, a sad look on his face.  "This isn't fair for you.  I know that.  You shouldn't have to go through this.  But what you need to do now is take the course of action that is going to get you through to the other side, not only a free woman, but a free woman who isn't looking over her shoulder the rest of her life waiting for an assassin's knife or the cudgel of a royal partisan."

"That's why you should come with me and my friends.  We want to find out who really killed the king; we want to prove your innocence.  But that is difficult to do if you're running, and doubly difficult to do if you're dead.  They want to pin this crime on you.  Don't let them!  Come back with me.  I will guarantee your protection and guarantee that you get a fair trial.  You should know Marshal Kroft's reputation; she's concerned with justice, not railroading you."

He put one hand on top of the other, so that he was holding her one hand with both of his.  He looked at her, sincerity shining in his eyes.  "We're going to get you through this, Trinia.  A free woman.  But you have to let us."

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