In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 930):

Earnest is also surprised at the ferocity of the rats. Sheisse! he exclaims while thinking They must be starving!.

He also tosses his food selection into the trap area.

11:04, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 3,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Vigor check - soak wounds (benny).
11:06, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 7,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,1.  Athletics - Throw food.

OOC: Benny deducted.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 931):

OOC: The professor succeeds at the Soak roll and tosses his share of the bait into the oil patch.

It is now Tracy's turn.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 932):

Tracy regains his focus after the rat attack, but he feels the painful effects of the bites once again. Now that the rats are upon him, he tries to stomp around and break free from their attacks.

OOC:

No Bennies to Soak.

17:16, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 5,1 using d8-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 6,2.  Spirit, unshake.

17:20, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 1,2 using d4-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Fighting, stomp rats.

Tracy stops his running and attempts to attack. I could not remember if these stomp attacks automatically hit because of the sheer amount of rats or not, so I made the Fighting roll.

20:25, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 3 using 1d4, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Damage, stomp.

Edit: damage added
This message was last edited by the player at 01:26, Fri 28 Jan 2022.

In some ways, the professor's plan is working. In other ways, it feels like it might go up the spout.

Windham had done a fine job luring the rat swarm towards the entrance to the big cavern, while his three pards had successfully executed their initial tasks to spring the trap. They see their bait landing where they wanted it to land, and rats are swarming around that very area, stirred by the men's movement and the smell of food. That bodes well for the adventurers' next steps.

Meanwhile, none of the heroes had expected the swarm's fervor or speed. They hadn't accounted for the swarm to split, either. Such an event could play to the men's advantage, as they know from experience that splitting the swarm can cause it to disperse. At the same time, the Wolverine now has a swarm of rodents focused almost entirely on him--and he is feeling the ferocity of their attack. The Texican, the professor, and the mechanic catch a glimpse of Tracy still in the tunnel, stomping on rats but having minimal impact so far.

OOC: Tracy had no Bennies, so he has 1 Wound (and –1 to Trait rolls). Everyone else Soaked the Wound and recovered from Shaken. So everyone including the rats begin the round able to act.

Initiative
Earnest Five Clubs Fifth
Jake Ace Clubs, Three Hearts Second
Tommy Ace Hearts, Five Diamonds First
Tracy Eight Spades Fourth
Rat Swarm Ten Hearts Third

It is Tommy's turn. First round went quickly (thanks to all), but the usual "after 24 hours (ish) you go on Hold" applies as usual. As a reminder, a hero can elect to go on Hold anytime you are waiting for something to happen before you act.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 934):

"Bon Appetit you manky beasts!"

Tommy lights the oil trail with the torch and then takes off towards Tracy in the cave

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC-Tommy will run toward the cave as a free action after lighting the oil. Benny deducted
12:56, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 4,12 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+4)10.  Athletics roll - set fire to oil trap - benny roll.
12:55, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 4,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4.  Athletics roll - set fire to oil trap.
12:53, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  Running roll - increase pace .

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 935):

Pearce ignites a trail of oil leading to the small pool where the men had set their trap for the rats. The oil catches fire easily, and although the swarm of rodents isn't fully concentrated in the pool, numerous rodents catch fire immediately. Alas, not enough of them to shake or disperse the swarm instantly. At least, not yet.

This fact escapes the mechanic's attention, as he runs down the tunnel towards his pard, Windham. He reaches the edge of the swarm that is attacking the investigator.

OOC: Because Tommy ran and took an action, his Athletics roll is at a –2 but obviously his Benny re-roll with Elan is high enough for the action to succeed.

The Judge gave a 50% chance to catch the swarm on fire immediately because enough of the mass was coated in oil, but also ruled that the initial fire damage on the swarm would inflict only 1d6. The swarm is spread out over a Medium Blast Template and fighting the heroes as well as trying to get the food the men had tossed into the pool of oil. As the fire spreads, the damage to the swarm is likely to increase. Or course, it is also possible that the men who are engaged with the swarm (currently Jake and Earnest) could catch fire as the blaze spreads. The Judge will roll for each player as appropriate during the turns in any round.

Lastly, the Irishman disengaged from the swarm during melee and thus is subject to a Free Attack by the Swarm. Fortunately, the attack had no material effect.

06:39, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  Rats Fire.
06:41, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2.  Rats damage from fire.
06:53, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 4 using 2d4, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2.  Rat swarm damage Tommy.

It is Jake's turn.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 936):

Jacob could see the glistening of an oily sheen a little over to the side of the spot where the fire had flared up after Mr. Pearce had tossed his torch -- a spot where the fire had not really taken hold yet.

With that reflection as his aiming point, the Texican flung his own torch at it -- only to see the flaming brand sail wide of the mark.

"Consarn it! Missed!" Jake muttered.

---

OOC:

13:49, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 3,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Athletics Check (re: Fire). Failure.

Comments: Since Jake is down to his last Benny, I am holding on to it for the time being.

Edit: Edited ". . . holding onto . . ." in the comments to read ". . . holding on to . . ." Truthfully, I wasn't sure whether "onto" or "on to" was correct, so I looked it up on a Grammar Nazi site.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:51, Sun 30 Jan 2022.

After making a quick estimation of his chances to fuel a conflagration of the swarm, Richardsen decides to toss his torch at a trail of oil as yet un-ignited. Alas, the torch rolled wide. After muttering a curse of sorts, the rifleman watches as the torch rolls and bounces to the right of his target, careening through a portion of the swarm. Maybe it ain't a total waste after all, thinks the Texican.

In a burning fury, the swarm near Jake and Earnest attempts to bite and claw once again. This time the men thank their lucky stars for Tommy's idea about the makeshift armor.

Meanwhile, down the tunnel, the other swarm attacks just as brazenly as the first. Now twice in a row, the rats do damage, tearing through the gaps in the armor. Even so, the Wolverine thinks, Tommy's idea remains a boon as it might have been worse.

OOC: Jake doesn't catch on fire this turn. He recognizes the possibility, nevertheless. The Judge treated the tossing of the torch as a grenade, which bounces in a random direction and distance.

As the two swarms are now completely separate and being engaged in different ways, the Judge made a damage roll for each swarm independently.

Earnest and Jake are unaffected (the professor says thanks to the makeshift armor).
Tracy takes 1 Wound and is Shaken again. (thanks to the armor, it ain't 2 Wounds)
Tommy takes 2 Wounds and is Shaken again.

As always, if you want to Soak (and have Bennies), do it ASAP and before doing anything else. Otherwise, you always get the free Spirit roll to unshake at the beginning of your turn.

14:45, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Jake Fire.
14:46, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 6 using 2d4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Rat Swarm damage (Jake & Earnest).
14:46, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 14 using 2d4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(4+4+3)11.  Rat Swarm damage (Tracy & Tommy).
14:57, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3.  Jake's torch rolling.
14:58, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 3 using 1d12 with rolls of 3.  Jake's torch rolling where.

It is Tracy's turn. See above re: Spirit roll first.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:50, Mon 31 Jan 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 938):

Sensing the futility of his attacks, Tracy turns to head back to his pards. He sees the Texican fail to light the oil successfully and chases the flaming torch down, hoping to use it to defend against the rats.

Seeing Tommy come to help him deal with the rats, Tracy feels a surge of energy. “Let’s do this, Tommy! I’ll stomp them and you light them up!”

He keeps stomping on the rats, with more fervor than before.

OOC:

16:11, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 7,0 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,2.  Spirit roll, unshake.

How far away is Tracy from the torch? Does he need to Run to reach it? Does he need to attempt an Athletics roll to pick it up? Also, I am aware that this will give the rats a Free Attack.

Edit: With Tommy coming to help, Tracy takes an action more befitting his character.

16:36, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 2 using 1d4, rerolling max with rolls of 2.  Damage, stomp.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:37, Mon 31 Jan 2022.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 939):

For a moment, Windham considers running, but when he realizes Tommy has come to help, the Wolverine stomps like his namesake despite his Wounds. Unfortunately, he can't squash enough of the rats to affect the swarm.

OOC: It is Earnest's turn. The Judge will provide a summary narrative for the status at the end of the round, after Earnest posts his actions, and provide the new initiative draw.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 940):

Earnest stomps and kicks his way through the rats to the unlit oil thread, then lights it!

14:55, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Strength - Damage to Rats.
14:55, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 3,3 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Athletics - Light oil.
14:56, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 3,5 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Athletics - Light oil (Benny reroll).

OOC: Not sure I did this right... do I need a fighting roll to hit the rats or are they so packed that it is moot?

Edit OOC: As the Judge said in the conversation thread, I left off the -2 for my previous Athletics rolls, so I opted for one more Benny roll... and nailed it!

06:23, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled -1,19 using d4-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+6+6+3)21.  Athletics - Light oil (2nd Benny reroll).
This message was last edited by the player at 13:27, Wed 02 Feb 2022.

The professor stomps through a swath of rodents. He tries to squash enough of them to disrupt the nest-mind of the rat congregation, but like his other pards so far he fails to have such an impact. His dash takes him to another patch of un-ignited oil, whereupon he sets it alight with his torch. Fortunately, the Easterner himself avoids catching fire.

Jake and Earnest remain outside the tunnel, with a swarm of rats around them and an oil fire threatening to spread throughout the space. A number of the rats have caught fire, and the men themselves are still at risk of the same.

Tommy and Tracy aren't subject to the fire behind them at the entrance to the tunnel -- at least not presently. Still, this portion of the swarm at the bend in the tunnel has proven to be a savage mass.

OOC: Fascinating draw. A lot of low cards and the rats got the lowest effective card. Seems like an opportunity for the heroes to breakthrough.

FYI, the Judge has decided to roll on the rats' turn each round to see if the intensity of the fire increases.

Tommy still needs to make a Soak roll. Ideally, that happens before this round starts, but MUST happen before Tommy rolls anything else this round -- assuming Tommy wishes to spend a Benny for that purpose. Remember, he took 2 Wounds so needs a raise to Soak both and become Unshaken. If he Soaks one but not two, then he will remain Shaken and need to roll to unshake at the beginning of his turn in order to take actions (as a reminder, Movement is not an Action).

Initiative
Earnest Jack Hearts First
Jake Seven Spades, Three Clubs Third
Tommy Two Clubs, Eight Clubs Second
Tracy Seven Hearts Fourth
Rat Swarm Three Spades Fifth

It is Earnest's turn. Are the tides of chance favoring the professor and the pards? Or shall the tides turn?

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 942):

Earnest sees Jake's torch and kicks and stomps his way to it to try to retrieve it, on his way he calls out to the others.

Tracy, Tommy, try to get back to Jake!

07:17, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  Strength - Damage to Rats.
07:18, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 4,3 using d4-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (4+2)6,5.  Athletics - retrieve torch (2nd action).

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 943):

Not satisfied with having just one torch, the professor stomps his way through a strip of the savage rats to pick up the one cast aside by his pard the rifleman. Earnest picks up the firebrand, paying no mind to the rodents as they continue to swarm -- not to mention ignoring the risk of catching on fire as the conflagration appears to be growing. His stomping proves fruitless, but he achieves his goal of retrieving the torch.

Fortunately, the Easterner himself avoids the flaming danger, for now, calling out to his friends down the tunnel and holding a torch in each hand -- triumphantly, it appears to the Texican.

OOC: Look at the professor succeeding at multi-actions ... he is still subject to an attack by the swarm (if it is still a cohesive entity when its turn comes), but because he wasn't trying to disengage from the swarm, it doesn't get a free attack during his movement.

It is Tommy's turn. He needs to make a Spirit roll to unshake (the player confirmed to the Judge that he has no Bennies, so couldn't Soak) in order to take any action this round other than movement. Tommy and Tracy DO hear the professor, calling from the tunnel entrance and the fire beyond.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:48, Thu 03 Feb 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 944):

Shouting back toward the cavern Tommy replies to Earnest:

"I hear ya Professor, be there in a jiffy...just as soon as we've finished up our tea and biscuits"

Tommy turns to Tracy

"He's right! We should leg it back to Jake but first let's get to the middle of that stream and see if that slows these rats down a bit. I know they can swim but it should take some of the bite out of em"

Tommy stomps his way through the rat swarm and into the middle of the small stream.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC -- Forgot the wound penalty (-2) on the Spirit roll so final result is an 8.
Pretty sure that clears Tommy for action but with a -2 to all trait rolls.
Action - Tommy will stomp rats and move into the stream but isn't yet moving to Jake
19:56, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 6 using 1d4, rerolling max with rolls of (4+2)6.  Fighting roll - stomp rats.
18:54, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 10,5 using d6,d8, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,5.  Spirit roll - recover and unshake
edits: added fighting roll and clarified movement
This message was last edited by the player at 01:03, Sat 05 Feb 2022.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 945):

The Irishman repositions himself, without attempting to withdraw from swarming rats. He stomps as many as he can while he moves into the stream -- alas, to no avail.

OOC: Tommy rolled d4 instead of d6 for his stomping. The Judge has ruled that stomping is an automatic hit against a Swarm, for Str damage. This isn't a Trait roll, so no modifiers for Wounds, but it is an Action. The Judge rerolled on Tommy's behalf: either way (Tommy's result of 6 and the Judge's result of 5) isn't enough to Shake the Swarm.

08:54, Today: Judge Messalen, on behalf of Thomas Pearce, rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Tommy Stomp Damage.

It is now Jake's turn.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 946):

Jake had seen plenty of action during the war, and he generally was able to keep a cool head in the midst of the chaos that was battle. And so it was that he pretty quickly came to the conclusion that Windham and Pearce could use some help in dealing with the swarm of rats that was attacking them.

Accordingly, he side-stepped smoothly in order to open up a better firing-angle. As he did so, he was readying his Winchester, which he had strapped to his left shoulder.

A few seconds after he had decided on his course of action, the Texican triggered three quick rounds in the direction of the rats that were harassing his two pards. At this distance he was not aiming for specific targets. His hope was that the impact and sound of the lead slugs landing among the rodents would be enough to rattle them and turn them away . . .

---

OOC:
Move: Jake will move so as to give himself a better LOS/LOF on the swarm attacking Tracy and Tommy, readying his Winchester as he moves.

Edit: Free Action: Ready Winchester.

Action: 10:29, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 3,1 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1.  Firing into the Swarm Attacking T/T (Test).

10:31, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 3,5 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Benny Re-Roll (Shooting). Edit: Result adjusted to 7 due to a +2 bonus from Jake's Improved Trademark Weapon.

Comments: Ugh. The Dice-Roller is being parsimonious with its results today. Jake's Benny total has been adjusted.

Edit: Adjusted as noted after a helpful hint from the Judge. Thanks! Also added an "Edit" to clarify that Jake's readying his Winchester is a Free Action, as confirmed in a PM with the Judge.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:21, Sat 05 Feb 2022.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 947):

The Texican decides to help his pards down in the tunnel, leaving the fate of the Swarm surrounding himself and the professor to the vicissitudes of the burning oil. Meanwhile, as he sidesteps to get a good line of sight, he manages to avoid catching fire himself even while in the vicinity of blazing rats.

Like he had done the day before, Richardsen levels the Winchester and levers off three consecutive bullets, with the intent to rattle the nest-mind of the critters, giving his pards a chance to follow-up. It works ... waal, as Jake might think ... it sort of works as they seem vulnerable now, although unshaken.

The gunfire rings out in odd patterns here in this tunnel, like it did before. For the moment, none of the heroes notice any ill effects.

OOC: Per PMs and OOC, Jake succeeded in his Test, but didn't get a Raise. The Texican has chosen the Vulnerable status for the Swarm engaged with Tracy and Tommy. The rifleman didn't catch fire.

It is Tracy's turn. He gets +2 on anything attempted against the Swarm.

11:37, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Jake Fire.
11:48, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 6 using 1d10 with rolls of 6.  Rats Opposed to Jake.

EDIT: a couple things for clarity.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:35, Sat 05 Feb 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 948):

Noticing the effect Jake’s shots had on the swarm, Tracy pulls out his own Colt. “Sorry in advance, Tommy!”

The investigator fires his weapon with the same intent as his pard, hoping that a shot from even closer might break the swarm’s resolve further.

Following his shot, Tracy stomps the rats with as much fervor as he can muster through his painful wounds, fighting for a way to disengage from the rodents.

OOC:

12:22, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 4,3 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  Shooting, Test.

12:22, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 6,3 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3.  Shooting test reroll.

12:23, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 3 using 1d4, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Stomp damage.

I forgot to include the -2. -2 for multi-action, -2 for Wounds, and +2 for Vulnerable made the first Shooting roll a 2 and the second roll a 4.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 949):

The Wolverine draws his revolver and tries the same tactic as Jake. He expends three bullets in rapid succession, hoping to affect the nest-mind of the rats. Immediately thereafter, he stomps as madly he had before. All of the heroes hear an echoing of the weapon's report in the tunnel and beyond, but as of this moment, it's an afterthought.

Windham sees that his bullets have indeed affected the swarm, but unfortunately he cannot stomp enough of them in a short span to cause it to disperse.

Still, the Californian's spirit rises as he sees the mass of rats in Jake's vicinity go up in flames. He and the Irishman also hear the squealing of those rats as many of them burn alive or scatter to the numerous crevices in the big cavern. It gives them hope that their pards can join them to beat down this part of the swarm.

Of course, the rifleman and the professor see the demise of their swarm up close -- it happens within arm's reach, and the fire continues to burn around them.

And unfortunately for both the mechanic and the investigator, the swarm in their midst bites and claws with a nearly equal ferocity as their previous foray. Windham feels rattled, Shaken by the rodents, while Tommy feels the vermin tearing at his flesh in the gaps of his makeshift leggings.

OOC: Tracy's test succeeds, (4 vs. 2) but no raise. As the Judge told the player offline, the only real choice here is to make the Swarm Distracted, which would give them –2 to any Trait rolls, IF they had to make any. The rats turn happened immediately after Windham, so another application of Vulnerable would have no effect (and Jake's application of is now over after the Swarm's turn ends). So the Judge is assuming Tracy makes that rat swarm Distracted, but now it's done anyway. The real goal was to get a raise and cause the Shaken result, but that didn't happen.

On the rats turn, the Judge rolled to see if the fire intensifies around the swarm near Jake and Earnest. It does, and the damage disperses that swarm.

There is now only the swarm remaining around Tommy and Tracy. It attacks as usual, and AGAIN does some damage. The 11 rolled results in 1 Wound to Tommy (and he is Shaken), and only a Shaken result against Tracy (thanks to his +2 armor bonus).

If Tommy has a Benny, he can make a Soak roll, ideally before anything else happens, but he MUST do it before he makes any other rolls. It will be at –2. As usual, both Tommy and Tracy get a Spirit roll to Unshake at the beginning of their turns, if needed.

The fire is still burning -- Jake and Earnest are still at risk of catching on fire. The Judge will roll to determine intensity on the rats turn, and will roll to see if either man catches fire during his turn, same as previous rounds.

16:57, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 2 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 2.  Rat Swarm opposed to Tracy's Test.
16:58, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  Fire status.
17:02, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 14 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+3)9,5.  Rats Fire Damage.
17:04, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 11 using 2d4, rerolling max with rolls of (4+1)5,(4+2)6.  Rat Swarm damage (Tracy & Tommy).

Initiative
Earnest Five Hearts Fifth
Jake Four Hearts, Jack Spades Second
Tommy Six Clubs, Queen Diamonds First
Tracy Five Spades Fourth
Rat Swarm Six Spades Third

It is Tommy's turn. All players know that the split part of the swarm around Jake and Earnest has dispersed (with many burned and dead rats around the tunnel entrance and the pool of oil on fire). There is only the split swarm remaining around Tommy and Tracy to deal with, but deal with it the four heroes must.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 950):

Just before Tracy fires his gun Tommy replies:

"Do what you have to Tracy. There's no holding back now!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC - Tommy's soak roll fails - benny count adjusted
Action: Tommy will go on hold
09:31, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 1,1 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Vigor check - soak roll - wounds.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:47, Tue 08 Feb 2022.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 951):

OOC: Tommy and Tracy have had it rough. Tommy now has 3 Wounds and is Shaken. He will still get his Spirit roll to unshake whenever he actually begins his turn.

It is Jake's turn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:55, Tue 08 Feb 2022.

As Jake took in the scene, he could tell that there was both some good news and some bad news. On the one hand, the rats that had been attacking the Perfesser and the Texican had broken and run, thanks to the oil-based fire that had been lit.

On the other hand, it looked as if Pearce and Windham were still hard-pressed. Oh, and for that matter, the fire that had chased off the rats threatening Jake and Earnest was still burning fiercely.

~~Waal, reckon it's tieme to shaeke a laig, Jacob,~~ the Texican told himself.

Jake moved away from the fire, taking a couple of steps into the tunnel entrance. He was pleased to see that he still had a good line of sight and line of fire on the rats that were attacking his two pards.

As he had done before, he fired three rounds into the swarm, as quickly as he could work the lever on Widder-Maeker.

---

OOC:

Move: Jake will move a short ways into the tunnel entrance, in order to get away from the fire in his vicinity.

Action: 10:49, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 6,11 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+3)9.  Firing into the Swarm Attacking T/T (Test).

Comments: Improved Trademark Weapon gives +2 to Jake's Shooting rolls (a tip of the Texican's Stetson to the Judge for reminding me of this, last Turn).

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 953):

The rifleman moves forward through the flaming oil and the ankle-deep mass of burning rats, stopping a few yards into the tunnel. He believes he has escaped the threat of the fire, at least for now. He sights the swarm again, levering off three bullets for a second time.

Again, the Texican sees positive results from his tactic, although the culmination of the men's weapon reports assaults the ears of Jake and his pards in the tunnel. On the one hand, Richardsen is pleased by the effects of his gunfire -- the rats around Tracy and Tommy are clearly agitated and disorganized. At least for the moment, the swarm poses no threat to anyone. On the other hand, the men feel a deafening pounding on their eardrums, just like they did yesterday when they discharged their weapons in the tunnel.

OOC: Jake succeeded with a Raise on his Test. He elected to make the swarm Distracted, and the swarm is Shaken by the Raise. It has –2 to any Trait roll until the end of its next turn. Also, the swarm can't attack when it's Shaken, so anyone withdrawing from melee while the swarm is Shaken isn't subject to a Free Attack. HINT: this means Tommy can withdraw safely, see below. It could also help Tracy, unless the Swarm unshakes on its turn.

Jake didn't catch fire.

Tommy has informed the Judge offline that he wants to come off Hold and act before the Swarm's turn. Pearce needs to roll to Unshake at the beginning of his turn. He he fails, he can still move (and run) but he can't do any actions. If he succeeds, then normal turn options.

Jake, Tommy, and Tracy all need to roll Vigor. Normal modifiers apply (e.g., those for the two pards who have Wounds). The results are as follows, same as the men experienced yesterday.

Raise means this is only a momentary effect; the character's normal hearing resumes immediately.
Success means this is only a temporary effect; the character makes Notice rolls involving hearing at -2. Normal hearing returns in 1d6 x 10 minutes.
Failure means this is a temporary but longer-lasting effect; the character makes Notice rolls involving hearing at -2. Normal hearing returns in 3d6 hours.
Critical Failure means the effect is permanent. The Judge will discuss with the player.

14:14, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 2 using 1d6 with rolls of 2.  Jake Fire.
11:26, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 6 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 6.  Rats Opposed to Jake's Test.
14:35, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 5 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Rats, Vigor weapon reports.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 954):

"ok Tracy, let's go while they've lost their fight!"

Tommy runs away from the swarm in the direction of Jake and Earnest

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC- I think Spirit roll should have been -3 (ie: 3 wounds) but still results in a 4.
Failed the vigor check
Free Action - Running
20:51, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled -2,-2 using d6-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1.  Vigor check - hearing damage.
20:45, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  Running roll - pace.
20:44, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Stomping roll.
20:24, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 5,3 using d8-2,d8-2, rerolling max with rolls of 7,5.  Spirit roll - unshake.