A few blocks north and east of the barely populated area around the street collapse is an old tavern and inn, abandoned since plague times. A family named Yurick has reopened it as the Mug and Cauldron.
The building and its standard is on the corner of the block. To Monroe side, it shares a wall with a baker, and the stableyard shares a wall with a Warren of tenements and alleyways, a fair number of which are occupied by local laborers.

The tavern is run down, and in need of repairs, but that makes it a cheap place to stay for now... pity about the rat problem the innkeeper just hasn't had time to deal with...

A green-cloaked shevnian woman, pulls up to the tavern's stables, in a wagon drawn by an ox.
A fair haired older man, sits in front with her, holding a lute. Two older teens throw apples at each other, in the back, laughing.

"Ow!" *laughs*

01:38, Today: Nana Yurick rolled 9 using 3d6.  acrobatics ~ 13.
The red-cloaked brunette, leaps from the wagon, doing a backflip, landing on the cobblestone.
She wields another apple in her hand, laughing, as she prepares to fling it at her brother.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Thu 10 Oct 2019.

The older woman, drops the reins, and steps down from the wagon, and begins unhitching the ox, while the husband, opens the stable doors. Turning, she looks back at the commotion and scolds in Shevnian:"Прекрати эту ерунду! Теперь нам нужны эти яблоки, так что прекратите бросать их, и начать загрузку их внутрь!"[Private to GM: "Stop that stuff! Now we need these apples, so stop throwing them, and start loading them inside!"]

The girl sighs in an exaggerated manner, and tosses the would-be missle, back into the bushel basket. She replies in accented Aralaise: "You're such a slave-driver, mother! Sometimes I feel like we're indentured!"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:26, Thu 10 Oct 2019.

The father emerges from the stables, and once open, the family rolls on inside, and begins unloading various foodstuffs, and a number of barrels and casks. A mixture of accented Aralaise, and Shevnian and laughter can be heard from within. The mother's distinctive Shevnian can be heard inside:"Казимир, дорогая.. Будете ли вы размещать, что уведомлениеиз передней? Мы просто слишком заняты, чтобы заботиться об этих крысах, и они больше, чем кошки могут справиться!"[Private to GM: Kasimir, darling.. Will you post that notice out the front? We're just too busy to take care of these rats and they're more than cats can handle!] A moment later, "Kazimir" the man's name is, emerges with a vellum posting in Shevian and Aralaise, that reads: "Help wanted, Inquire Within!"
He takes a few nails from his mouth, and hammers the posting, near the door, above which the tavern's sign can be seen, depicting a frothing mug and a steaming cauldron.
"Сделано. Итак, что на ужин?"[Private to GM: "It's done. So, what's for dinner?"] The man jovially replies, heading back inside..
This message was last edited by the player at 08:24, Thu 10 Oct 2019.

A young man, above average height and dressed in light leathers, with curly brown hair poking out from under his leather cap, idles up to read the newly posted notice.  He glances sidelong up and down the street, then pushes the door open.

"I saw the man put up a notice.  What sort of help do you need?"  His Aralaise has the easy flow of a native speaker.  "Oh, and nice sign!"

The man is slender, and carries a large knife on his right side, with three smaller knives arrayed across the back of his belt.

Hearing the Aralaise announce himself, the burly Shevnian youth, pokes his head around the corner, an apple in his mouth. He removes it, and yells: "Hey Dad! Somebody about the job!!"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 10:33, Thu 10 Oct 2019.

The youth disappears, then a girl's face pops 'round, followed by an attractive older woman, who looks to be their mother. Shortly, a Shevnian man, with a scar across one eye, walks into the bar. "Welcome! Please, come inside."
The man pours from an earthenware pitcher, a fizzy beverage, into a wooden cup, that is not unlike a small beer. "Have some kvass! My name is Kazimir, and my family and I are hoping we can find a solution to our rat infestation. We can provide food and drinks, mainly... but we can put together some coin as well.. Interested?"
The Shevnian hands the man the drink.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 09:58, Thu 10 Oct 2019.

An athletic young man walks in to the bar, presumably to have a drink.  He is tall and broad shouldered with thick forearms but not overly packed with bulging muscles.  His dark hair is thick and unkempt and ends above the shoulder and he sports a thin untrimmed beard.  As he crosses the tavern his leathers creak quietly hinting that they have yet to be worn in.

The young man, barely into his twenties sets his shield down ready to order something when he over hears the prospect of a job.  He joins in without being invited.  His eyes sparkle at the mention of paid work.  ”I”m looking for work.  I'll kill rats for ya if there's coin in it.”

Kazimir nods, and pours the other man a cup, and sets it on the bar for him.
"Welcome then. There's rather alot of them, and they've gotten comfortable here. We'll never be a respectable place, until we get rid of them. Who might you fellows be?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Thu 10 Oct 2019.

"I'm Aldous Hack.  Northport born and bred, as I hear by your speech you're not."  He pauses to take a cautious sip of the kvass.  "Wow, that's different."  He takes another sip.  "Kind of tangy, a little bit of a buttermilk undertaste.  I could get used to it, I think.

"Anyway, I've been doing this and that, for meals or drinks when there was no coin in it, for some years now.  Not a fan of rats, so I have no problem in removing them, though here in Northport, rats come in several flavors -- some are just pests, others can hurt you if you don't watch your step.

"You don't have the kind with poison quills, I hope?"

"Yes, we are Shevnian. You like the kvass? It's good for you! The next batch has mint, added. We make it from day-old bread, and we're fortunate enough to have bakers for neighbors. As to the rats, so far all I have seen, have been the common variety. Since we're all so close, perhaps the baker will help us put a pot together for your efforts, as getting rid of these pests, would help us all!"

Black smiles when the barkeep mentions that there is an abundance of rats.  In his minds eye he can see a fat coin purse in his hand for all the work to come.

The young mercenary nods at the other man inquiring about work as he sips at the drink gifted to him.  ”Mmm.  That is different.  Nice flavor.”  Fisher smiles warmly as he sizes up the man he's going to be fighting side by side with.  ”Nice to meet ya Hack.  Name's Porter.”

He stands a bit, quietly and then it occurs to him, only through experience, that when people are paying for something they typically want to know the value of what they're getting.  So Black offers a simple resume.  ”Same here.  Northport born.  I spent some time in a local militia, so I'm pretty handy with this.”  He pats the sword dangling from his belt.

"Pleased to meet you, Porter.  Don't know that you'll get too far with rats using that -- take you longer to swing it around than it does for a rat to run in under it.  Got good sturdy boots?

"I've practiced with the smallsword, but times are tight.  I'll get one when I can; meantime, I'll have to hope my leathers will turn most of the rat bites.  Or try to stick them from a distance, but then I have to worry about them running off with my knives."

Another body comes through the door, Back pack frame, spear and a quiver of Javelins  You need  a Guard or sumthin'?

"Not as much of a guard,than an exterminator! You see...We have a very biiiiig rat problem. They keep welling up out of the cellar! If you can find their nests, and wipe them out, I'll provide food, drinks, and put together a pot, with the baker, to add some coin in it, for you." Kazimir takes another wooden cup, and pours the newcomer some kvass, setting on the bar for him.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:35, Fri 11 Oct 2019.

The man walks over and looks at the cup... what'a I owe you for it?  He raises it sniffs it and turns his head to the side a bit... what is it?
Get rid o rats? I can help.... is there a place we can stay? an How much is food here?
He sets the back pack down and spying a fat healthy rat, draws a Javelin ... sort o' over kill, but good practice I suppose.

He hauls back and throws the javelin at the rat.
He then takes a sip of the proffered cup... swishes it around in his mouth a bit before swallowing ... Interestin' stuff.
He puts the cup down and goes to pick up his Javelin, checking it as he brings it back.

[Private to GM: 21:27, Today: Thorg rolled 7 using 3d6.  Throw Javelin.  Skill is 13]

In reply to Thorg (msg # 19):

As good as the Kvass is, most Northporters will be looking for conventional ale or beer. In the basement had been glimpsed some racks for barrels and bottles... among the rats.

In reply to Thorg (msg # 19):
"It's similar to a small beer, and it's on the house. You can sleep in the stables, and if you want stronger drink, I think my wife can manage something."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 10:12, Sat 12 Oct 2019.

Black notes the big man enter and assert himself as a guard.  Never hurts to have more hands on a job.  Then again, too many hands means smaller shares all around and Fisher hopes there wont be too many more applicants.

He watches the newcomer throw his javelin and quips with a smile.  ”Nice toss friend.  Name's Porter.  What's yours?”

Black downs the rest of his Kvass and answers the barkeep.  ”I'll take something stronger.  And some stew if you've got it.  If I'm going to be fighting rats might as well do it on a full stomach.”

My Thanks, I am called Thorg ... grew up in Northport and became a soldier for a while, but wanted more variety in my day. 
He turns to the Inn Keeper  Do you want these rats we kill for any reason?

In reply to Thorg (msg # 23):
"For keeps? No.. But gather up their remains, so's we don't stink up the place. We'll provide sacks. There will be soup, and knishes tonight. You can hang hammocks, or bed down on the straw in the stables. Don't mind Boris, our Ox..He might fuss a bit, but you'll get used to each other. If you see Paskha and Koshka, tell them they are out of a job!"
The man laughs jovially.
He thinks for a moment...
"You know, you could probably sell those rats to some goblins, or even the guild kitchens, as rumor has it, that's what goes into the "hot brown", over there!"

Many eat them, as meat can be expensive, Rats are readily available.

"Yes...Well, all's halal that ends well, and you dim-sum, you lose some!"
The Shevnian joked.
"I'd lose my Inn, if I served rat!"
Then, getting business-like, he added:
"Scared meat, is lowest I'll go, in that regard."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:14, Sun 13 Oct 2019.

In reply to Kazimir Yurick (msg # 26):

The yard outside the inn has an old pile of refuse beside the kitchen door. there is a gate out to the street, and beside the stables is an outhouse, apparently used in common by the neighborhood, as there are a couple of doors that open onto the stable yard ( the one next to the inn leads to the bakery that shares a wall, and the other leads to a run down house that shares a wall with the stable yard.

The son comes into the bar noisily, with several spigoted casks, and jugs on a rough, hand-cart. "Here's what Ma turned out, Dad. There's cider and mead in the jugs, and the casks are ale, and berry and fruit wines, like you asked for."
He looks over the group of newcomers to his home.
"Hello, and welcome. I'm Sven. Mom sure will be happy to know the notice was answered so fast. You know she can tell fortunes?, and if you get hurt, or poisoned, she can take care it. Are you staying with us tonight?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:48, Sun 13 Oct 2019.

"Yes son, I'll go speak to the baker about helping us put together coin, after they see the help i've brought to take care of our rats. Take over the bar, and give them three drinks on the house, whatever they want. I'm going to prepare the stables for our guests, and then I'll tell Hetty we're having guests tonight, so she'll make enough food for everyone."
The man oddly takes his lute with him for the task, as he heads out the door.

In reply to Kazimir Yurick (msg # 29):

At the moment, the lower level of the tavern, which is a large L shaped space with
two double doors opening to the common area, a small door exiting to the yard behind
 the stairs and near the kitchen, and another one from the main area.
  The bar, which marks the divider between the main hall and the kitchen area,
is across from the stairs up to the rooms... which still
need to be cleared out. Below those stairs is a door to the cellars, currently barred shut.

The main hall, its roof supported by a double row of posts about three yards apart,
 is cluttered with broken furniture, maybe only one of the tables is intact, and possible a bench.

Kasmir has managed to get one of the upstairs rooms swept out for his family's use,
but the guest rooms are currently unlivable.

This building has been unoccupied for about forty years, during which the rats have
 chewed the furniture to kindling, and their filth is everywhere.  In addition to the
 rat catcher signs, there are some posted for servants to help clean the place.


https://drive.google.com/open?...UDsF0Y9fiM_8tonw8xor
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:17, Sun 13 Oct 2019.

Svendegard talks, as he stocks the empty bar.
"See all this junk in here? The other rooms are just as bad.. So, that's why we're putting you up in the stables. And then, there's the garbage heap, right outside the kitchen door. Everything is pretty bad still, and we could use some help cleaning up, if you're looking for more work. Dad said you can each have three drinks, on the house. We have mulberry and elderberry wine, peach and plum wine, mead and cider, a malty porter, and a well-hopped, lager are on tap. What'll it be?" "

Fisher thinks over the menu of drinks.  There is quite a large offering for a place that cant serve them at the moment, and the oddity is lost on the simple mercenary.   ”Hmmm, I'll take a lager, and the two wines.”

Shortly after there is an offerofs more work in the form of cleaning up.  While the idea of sweeping up rat shit isn't appealing Black doesn't see it that way.  His vision is narrowed so that he only sees the end result, coin in his purse.


OOC: Porter will sleep in the stables.  He will happily hire on as a cleaner of junk as well as a killer of rats.

Thorg nods at the young mans offer, Just a glass of your Porter for now, thank you. I'll help with clearing the junk as well, and make a place in the stables.

Sven gets the men their drinks.

"Best keep it light before dealing with rats.  I'll just have a porter for now."  He drains the kvass in his cup and hands it over to be refilled.

"Father Robards always claimed garbage piles attracted rats, so I'm sure you'll want to get that cleared up when you can."

We will I think, it's a step toward our goals, No?

"True enough.  Necessary, but not sufficient.  Else these good folks would have just done that, rather than hire us."

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 37):

There is a scratching sound from 5he barred basement door...

The young former militia man turned mercenary sits at the bar seemingly unphased by the filth, debris and assorted trash all around.  There is much work to be done which means a small bag full of coin and for now there is free room and board.  Black hasn't been this pleased in a while.

As the discussion abounds of what drinks are offered and taken the young man's head turns every time the word 'porter' is tossed around and every time it is, he turns to the speaker and asks sincerely, ”Ya?”

Just as he is settling in to his three free drinks and weighing which would be the best he hears the scratching noise at the basement door.  He smiles, happy that his services have a need.  ”Well.  Time to earn my keeper.”


OOC:
Black will leave his pack by the bar by his drinks.  He will don his shield, draw his sword and head to the basement door.  He will wait for the others to assemble.

"Hmm.  Either someone's dog got locked in down there, or those are some bold rats."  He sniffs.  "I don't smell dog, but I do smell rat."

He draws the large knife from the right side of his belt, transfers it to his left hand, then reaches behind his back and draws a small knife, flipping it into a throwing grip.

"Ready when you are, Porter."

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 40):

Lifting the bar should be no problem... keeping the door closed is a quick contest of ST.

Fisher chuckles.  "I'd say bold rats."


OOC:
When we get close does the noise give any clues to what's behind the door?  I'm not moving the bar until we have at least 3 at the door.  I dont plan on moving the bar anyways as both hands are tied up.  Sword and shield.

Sven comes over to the assembly.
"Ready?, i'll lift the bar, then close the door behind you. I'll be in the bar, so I'll hear you, when you return."
20:41, Today: Svendegard Yurick rolled 9 using 3d6.  ST ~ 13.
The bar comes out, and Sven grasps the iron handle of the door firmly, holding it shut, with his weight helping.
"Good luck, and be careful down there."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:47, Wed 16 Oct 2019.

Black watches the bar man come over to lend a hand and deduces what's about to happen.  He nods to the javelin thrower.  ”Thorg, you in?”


OOC:
So its just me, Hack and I assume Thorg going down?  Before we go I will suggest we take some light.  I dont have a hand free nor do I have a light source in my pack.  If none of the PCs has one can the bar loan us a torch or lantern?

OOC: If nobody has light, Sven can loan you a lantern, from the tavern.

Thorg comes over after putting his javelin quiver over his should and taking his spear in hand.





OOC - Sorry , been gone all day

"Woops, almost forgot you don't have lights down there.  Moment, guys."  Perspiring lightly, Aldous resheathes his knives and picks up his own lantern off the bar and lights it.  Then, lantern in his left hand, he draws his large knife.

"Okay, that's better."

"Okay.. ready?"
Sven will open the door, and let them through, on their signal.

In reply to Svendegard Yurick (msg # 48):

The scratching is louder...

Thorg starts down, spear point first.

Black smiles as he sees the men come together.  Fisher is by no means a genius but he's smart enough to know anything could be behind that door, and being ready is a better way to stay alive than not.


OOC:
Now that we have 3 people and some light Porter will say he's ready to go.  Open the door and let's do this!

Sven opens the door!

Aldous thrusts his light forward, the better to see into the darkened stairs.

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 53):

Two rats the size of dogs burst through the door!

Those of you who had been Waiting can strike first!

Fisher almost giggles with glee when he sees two huge rats burst into the common room.  If these rats were willing to risk life and limb to find something to eat Black can only imagine what else lies in the basement untouched for so long.  All this means lots of things to exterminate which means a long profitable contract!  With the eagerness of a young man chasing women for the first time Black charges into the fray.


[Private to GM:
Normal attack.  Retreating Parry.  Continue to attack until the rats are dead, or some big event forces me to change tactics, such as someone is grappled or one of the PCs goes down.]

In reply to Fisher 'Porter' Black (msg # 55):

The rats are SM-1, so make an attack roll at -1. These rats are engaging move and attack, so they aren't  defending this turn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:35, Fri 18 Oct 2019.

Thorg stabs at the nearest rat with  his spear ...





[Private to GM: 12:44, Today: Thorg rolled 13 using 3d6.  Spear Thrust. Skill 13     but he was ready and waiting! ]

Sven has cleared the door, and moved behind the bar. He's got a boarding axe in his hand.
"Loki's bolts!"

"Stercore!"  Aldous takes a step and stabs at the nearest rat.

[Private to GM: 19:28, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 9 using 3d6.  Knife, roll to hit (13).
19:30, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 5 using 1d6-1.  Damage (impaling) .]

Black almost jumps forward as he enthusiastically swings and hacks at the dog sized vermin before him.  Giant animals was nothing new to the young mercenary, at least in tales he's heard.



[Private to GM:
Normal attack.  Retreating Parry. 

Lol.  Not a good start.  Normal skill is 15, so against a SM-1 I missed on the first attack.  The number on my rolls notes what round I am rolling for.  I did 2 rounds.  The attack on round 2 was a Crit Fail.

23:08, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 15 using 3d6.  Attack 1.

23:08, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 6 using 3d6.  Defense 1.


23:09, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 17 using 3d6.  Attack 2.

23:09, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 9 using 3d6.  Defense 2.
 ]

The spear just misses the lead rat as it pounces, but Adolus' knife cuts deeply into  its side.
Fisher's swing just nicks an ear, but on the recovery, his hand slips, and his weapon clatters down the steps behind the rats. Luckily, he was able to defend againstthe beast's attempt to bite him.

Good Cut  He recovers and readies his spear to strike again.

Is there a rat up on this level? or did one go back down the stairs?
This message was last edited by the player at 23:18, Mon 21 Oct 2019.

Hearing the commotion, the women peek around the corner.
"Все под контролем, сынок?"

"Yeah, Ma!"
Sven replies, keeping his eyes on the battle. He winces, as he hears Porter's blade, clatter downstairs. At least he still had his shield!

Fisher winces as he looses his grip on his blade and it goes clattering down the stairs.  While it is his most prized possession he isn't worried about damaging it.  He is concerned that his employers might see this misfortune as a lack of skill and decide to change their mind.  Determined not to be outdone Black reaches for his knife.  With gusto he yanks it free and jumps back into the melee!


OOC:
Draw knife.  Attack with knife, block with shield.



[Private to GM:
Normal attack.  Retreating Block. 

Not sure if you want me to roll damage or not.  Since you said your posting is hampered lately I will unless you tell me not to.

12:35, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 13 using 3d6.  Fast Draw Knife.  Failed by 1, so draw it normally.


12:35, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 7 using 3d6.  Attack.


12:36, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 3 using 1d6.  Knife Damage.
Swing damage is 1d.
 ]

In reply to Fisher 'Porter' Black (msg # 65):

Adolus' rat jumpsto the side, hissing. The one that Porter sliced turns to bite him, dodge or take 5 points cutting before DR to the leg!

[Private to Narrator: 8 points and 4 between the two]

Posting projected damage along with a roll saves time so keep it up.

Thorg adjusts to stab the rat he missed ...



[Private to GM:  16:57, Today: Thorg rolled 10 using 3d6.  Spear Thrust  skill is 13
16:57, Today: Thorg rolled 4 using 1d6+2 impaling.  Spear Damage. If it matters, it should have been 1D6 +3 for a one handed stab per GCS. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:04, Wed 23 Oct 2019.

Just as his weapon falls beyond his reach on the far side of his foe the huge vermin plunges at him!  Black pulls himself into a ball behind the wood frame of his shield as he sidesteps away.

[Private to GM:

I assume since I have a shield a block is ok?  This roll will work for either a Retreating Block or Dodge.

21:41, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 6 using 3d6.  Defense.
]

Aldous adjusts his footing and stabs again at the same rat as before.

He barely misses.  "Son of a garbage heap!"

In reply to Thorg (msg # 67):

The spear thrust puts down the rat tangled in Black's shield. Its tale twitches twice as blood flows from its moth and nose.

The other rat tries to head back to the cellar, giving its back to you.

Anyone turning to go after it uses one phase of their attack tto do so, further actions are at +2, +2 additional if making a telegraphic attack.

Thorg turns and stabs at the fleeing rat...




[Private to GM: 21:25, Today: Thorg rolled 5 using 3d6.  Spear Thrust.  by 8
21:26, Today: Thorg rolled 5 impaling using 1d6+3.  Spear Damage. ]

"That's better!"  Aldous pivots after the fleeing rat and makes a slashing swing.

[Private to GM: 04:59, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 7 using 3d6.  Knife, roll to hit (13 -1 for SM, +2 for rear attack = 14).
05:00, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 1 using 1d6-1.  Damage (cutting).]

"Sis!, bring the mop and pail, please."

Nana comes into the bar, with the mop and pail.
"Ugh! Gross..."

Stupid rats, he thinks with glee.  The more of them there are the more coin in his pocket and Black is quite happy with his new partners.  He lashes out with his knife at the fleeing rat.

[Private to GM:
Telegraphic attack for +4 to hit, +2 to foe defense.  Called shot, Vitals.


12:16, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 9 using 3d6.  Knife attack.


12:16, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 3 using 1d6.  Knife damage.
My thrusting damage is 1d-1.
]

In reply to Fisher 'Porter' Black (msg # 75):

The rat goes down hard, blood spraying onto the floorboards.

From below you can hear scrabbling and squeaking sounds...

Kazimir comes back into the bar, from the street.
Surveying the carnage, he speaks:
"These rats are huge! If you can sell 'em by the pound, you're liable to see silver."

"They've got 'em on the run, dad! Listen!"

I am not so confident they run, be prepared... He stands at the top of the stairs on guard for another assault.

"Good so far, but don't get cocky."

Aldous maneuvers his lantern to get as good a view of the stairs as possible.

"Are they running, or are they smart enough to set up a choke point?"

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 80):

You can see a weapon halfway down the steps, and below that reflections from several pairs of eyes..

"A good smoke bomb, would fix them..."
Says Nana, as she mops up the mess.

I think that would bother us more than them.
Thong starts down the stairs, spear point first, with the blood of at least one rat still on it.

"Yeah, we'd have to vacate for awhile, and we have too much work to do."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:08, Sun 27 Oct 2019.

"I'm no pied piper, just a lively lutenist. Let's leave it to the professionals! They seem to have things well in hand."

"Скажи им всем помыться перед ужином! Никаких грязных рук, или лиц, за моим обеденным столом!"
Hetilda can he heard around the corner, in the kitchen.

Porter grins malevolently.  ”They's afraid of us.  And hungry.  But more afraid.”


OOC:
Keep knife out and ready.  Follow behind Thorg.  Leave 1 hex of space so that Thorg can back up if he needs to.  When I reach my fallen sword sheath the knife and pick up the sword.

If it helps drag the dead and dying rats out of the way so that if a hasty retreat is needed we wont be tripping over bodies.

Aldous follows Porter down the steps, lantern held high.

"I wouldn't want smoke down here unless you could make it stay near the floor.  Thorg, you coming?  I can see more rats, or at least their eyes."

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 88):

Throg is in the lead, almost at the end of the creaky stairs, with Porter midway down picking up his blade, while Adolus is at the top of the stairs with the lantern.

The lantern light is -3 for Adolus, -4 for Porter, and Throg is at -5 and he needs to make a per check, (at -5) followed by a DX check.

Thorg is having an issue seeing down here and the people above him blocking the light don't help...




[Private to GM:   19:12, Today: Thorg rolled 15 using 3d6.  Perception.   Ummmm no ...
19:12, Today: Thorg rolled 10 using 3d6.  DX .    by 2 ]

In reply to Thorg (msg # 90):
The next stair was gone, and he just managed to keep from falling through!

Scheißdreck!  Watch it, a stair is missing here.

With his spear point already low, he uses it to tap each following stair to avoid falling, assuming there are additional stairs.

"Watch your step down there.  Take a fall and those rats will be on you before you can bounce."

Fisher takes his time, emboldened by the grace of his comrade who managed not to fall.  He makes note of the missing step but the consuming relative darkness is more concerning.  He turns his head half way and calls back.  ”Hey.  Can we get some more light down here?”


OOC:
Black is asking the bar folk if they can loan us more light.  When we get to the bottom I assume there is somewhere we can hang a lantern from the rafters, or a high place on a wall, or a shelf?  The more light the better.  Black isnt a fan of fighting in the dark.

"Here. Mind ye don't break it, or we'll have to charge ye for it."
Sven takes a lantern off a shelf behind the bar, and hands it to Aldous, since he is at the top of the stair.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 18:37, Tue 29 Oct 2019.

Kazimir nods his approval.
a fine smell begins wafting through the place, as onions and garlic are being sauteed.
"We'll see you later, for dinner. Good luck down there."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:09, Tue 29 Oct 2019.

Aldous quickly sheathes his knife to free a hand and takes the offered light.

"Thanks, Sven.  Here, Porter, take this."  Aldous sidles down far enough to hand over the second lantern, then, still holding his own light high, draws his large knife again.  "If you can spot a second peg, I wouldn't mind hanging mine up as well."

Once Porter is off the stairs, Aldous will finish the descent, feeling carefully for the missing tread.

[Private to GM: 17:48, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 8 using 3d6.  DX for missing stair tread.]

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 97):

The lower level of the tavern is huge-the ceiling is supported by beams about two feet thick and a foot wide, and is about four yards from the floor below.  The additional light reveals a seething carpet of rats of various sizes, lured by the scent of the food being cooked above, the swarm toward the steps, of which three more continue pastbthe broken stair.

Thorg stabs at the first one coming up.


[Private to GM: 19:13, Today: Thorg rolled 8 using 3d6.  Spear Thrust. By 8
 19:13, Today: Thorg rolled 5 impaling using 1d6+3.  Spear Thrust damage.  ]

"We may need something more than individual knives and spears."  Aldous takes a low swipe at the leading edge of the mass.

[Private to GM: 05:19, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 10 using 3d6.  Knife, roll to hit (13 -1 for SM).
05:20, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 5 using 1d6-1.  Damage (cutting).]

With his shield in hand Black does his best to take the offered lantern from Aldous but finds the only way he can is to sheath his regained sword.  The man lets out an audible growl as the swarm of rats surges.  It was more than he expected.


OOC:
The way I see it is shield is in left hand and lantern is in right.  Time to ditch the shield.

The rat swarm, are most of them normal size with just a few dog sized?  The three rushing for the top are they dog sized?  If the swarm near us is mostly normal sized Porter will just kick at them with his boot to knock them off the stairs.

My goal is to end up with sword in my right hand and the lantern in my left, as expediently as possible while not putting myself in heavy danger.

Clearing these with weapons will take a long time... there are a lot of them. we need to find a better way.

"Okay, then let's secure the door.
Let's put our heads together..."

"Come, I'll bar the door again."
Sven, axe in hand, moves to the door, ready to do as he said, once the others are back in the bar.

"We need a wizard with air spells...and a smoke bomb of toxicity, or one that brings sleep. We drop the bomb in the enclosed area, and the wizard uses their spells, to contain the smoke, and keep it from rising, until it's cleared...Then, you can go down there and just spear them, and stomp them, at your leisure!"
Nana suggests, she she finishes mopping up the mess, and having levered the two dead rats into a large burlap sack, with a meat hook.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Thu 31 Oct 2019.

Perhaps easier if he just creates something permanent they don't like and they leave on their own.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:19, Thu 31 Oct 2019.

"That's an excellent idea.. Some sort of ward, or talisman. Hmm...."

"I don't know magic, but I've got a pretty good handle on rats.  Make a poison for them and mix it with something they eat, and soon you only have rats that don't eat what you mixed the poison into.

"What is in the cellar that attracts the rats?  We must remove that."

"We don't rightly know..They were here when, we moved in. We've been unable to use our cellar, but I suspect the place was well stocked with foodstuffs, before the plague. Wheels of cheese, sacks of grain that have long mildewed, and set..They're living off something!"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:00, Thu 31 Oct 2019.

Makes sense... they do not generally like bright light either, so another possibility.

At the sight of the swarm along with a few more larger varieties Black is only too happy to leave the uncertainty of the basement and watch as the bar is lowered once again securing their safety.  He follows along with the rapid fire of suggestions.  Being a man of muscle and steel he's never known a sorcerer personally but he's seen them and heard of their work.  That or some kind of simple smoke could be effective too especially if it were some sleeping agent, he thinks.  Not to be outdone Fisher offers another suggestion.  ”We could just burn them out.”


OOC:
I'm assuming Porter has his shield on his back, a lantern in his left hand and his right hand is empty.

[Private to GM:
Playing up my 9 IQ.  I'm used to playing chars with around 12 IQ so this is a nice change.  Porter doesn't always think things through before speaking.  He isn't accounting for the fire growing out of control.]

"And burn down our tavern!? No, thank you!"

Kazimir and his son exchange incredulous glances

The is a slight knock at the door and it creaks slightly as it opens to let a skinny man in who looks like he hasn't eaten in quite a while and could use a bath and his clothes washed as well.

Do You still seek help ...  hope?

"Yes, we have a very large rat problem in our cellar. These three have just gotten started, but we're going over strategy, now. Come in! Come in!"

Rats ?!   I hate Rats!  Scare the crap out of you running around and over you.

Nana lifts one of the huge rats partially out of the burlap sack on the freshly mopped floor.
"Yeah? Look at these! Think you can handle it, stranger?"

Svendegard pours the newcomer a cup of kvass, and hands it to him. "You can bunk in the stables with Boris, and these three, you can have three harder drinks on the house, and join us for supper. There'll be coin in it, and you can probably sell these carcasses to some goblins, or the guild kitchens for extra. I'm Sven, This is my sister Nana, Dad, and Ma's in the kitchen. What's your name, stranger?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 23:13, Thu 31 Oct 2019.

I am called Sparky Dubane ... mostly just Sparky by my classmates as I made a lot of sparks before getting create Fire down.

He looks at the rat  Nana holds up ... I can kill it readily enough.

"Dad! These people are going to try and burn down our house!"
The girl folds her arms.

Kazimir shakes his head.
"No fires! Do you know any other magic?"

"The last thing we need is somebody lobbing fireballs and such...I hope you got something else, Sparky."

Sparky Laughs I'd think fireballs at rats was a bit excessive, even if they are that big. I do know a few other things that may be of some use ...

He takes the profferedKvass and sips it, then looks at the cup  What is this?

"Kvass! My wife made it. It's made from fermented bread. In Shevnia, we drink more of it, than water."

"Нана! Приходите, помогите маме!"

"I've got to get back to peeling these potatoes. See you all later."
Nana heads back into the kitchen, to help her mother prepare dinner.

"See you, Sis. Tell Ma, we have another guest, will you?"
Sven turns back to Sparky.
"Don't get me wrong, I've always liked to burn stuff..."

Definitely Different ...  he sips it again.  Then he shrugs.

So how bad are these rats?

"Pretty damned bad.. They're like a carpet down there..."

Fisher lowers his head slightly when the owners and workers comment that they do not want their business to go up in ashes.  ”Ohh.”, he remarks, apparently having not thought of that possibility.

But moments later when a new applicant enters and says he is a fire mage Black thinks he is being made fun of.  He listens and follows the conversation without comment.

"Yeah, fire isn't that great in a cellar with only one exit.  If you have a way to use it without setting anything else on fire, though, it might be useful.

"What we need is something that kills a bunch of rats all at once.  The three of us poking at them with our knives and such would not only take days, it'd either end with us being buried under the swarm or with most of them just running out through their holes and coming back as soon as we take the lights away."

"Hey Dad..You reckon we could cement up masonry, and tar up the holes in the woodwork, like they do in ships? Then, we could hit 'em with smoke, and let these fellows do the rest?
I mean, we'll have to do all that anyways, to keep the rats, from getting back in."

"You have a point there, son. We could do the repairs first, in order to trap them, and keep them inside...but we'd need to all vacate to the stables, during the smoke-out. We can stay in the wagon for a night, if we have to. Either that, or we find some sort of talisman that will repel rats, like a gift that keeps on giving!"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 14:06, Fri 01 Nov 2019.

Well, as pointed out, Rats do not care for light and that I can create, so I make something very bright with the continuing Light spell, and they should seek darker places, THEN we patch the cellar up ... though Rats will gnaw through most anything to get to food. For that, a cat or two in the cellar might be useful.

In reply to Sparky (msg # 134):

The broad and knotted planks of the tavern floor have a few gaps between them; plugging it might be expensive. Beating the rats away from the stairs might help,  and killing the bigger ones might scare off the smaller ones.

Also, you could check with the neighbors about how extensive the problem is on the block...

"Sven, I'm going to talk with some more of our neighbors, and see how bad their rats are, compared to ours. We could end up pooling our resources, to help each other. The baker was out getting supplies, so I'll see if anyone's returned yet. It's nearly supper-time, so i'll try again..."
Kazimir takes up his lute, a drinking set, and bottle of elderberry wine with him.

"Okay, Dad."

In reply to Kazimir Yurick (msg # 136):

Kazimir rounds the corner, to the small, and stone walled bakery that shares a wall with the kitchen hearth behind the bar. The shop is small, although as tall as the inn. The upper level is presumably sleeping quarters for the baker and his wife, with 5he upper loft probably a space for his sons.

The baker is form8ng dough for tomorrow's bake (or the day after, depending on how much of a rise is wanted) with his daughter, who looks a little anxious. Two cats wend around their feet.

"Ho neighbor! I see you're busy, but would you have time to discuss the possibility of a collaboration on solving the local rat problem? We can talk over some of my wife's elderberry wine!"
15:26, Today: Kazimir Yurick rolled 13 using 3d6.  diplomacy ~ 16.

Black follows along the back and forth exchanges between all the players and is soon believing that he isn't being pranked.  He wracks his poor mind to think of ways of dealing with a swarm of rats, mostly the small variety with a few huge ones sprinkled in.  But this just isnt anything he's come across before or trained for.  This time around he keeps his ideas to himself to mull them over before he offers them to the group.  He doesn't want to be seen as a dummy.

Fisher delves into the idea of flooding the basement with water to drown them and he is almost ready to share his wonderful solution.  It solves everything.  The rats will die and the place wont burn down.  But just before his mouth opens it does occur to him, how would they rid the place of the water.  He is stumped.

Then Aldous states 'What we need is something that kills a bunch of rats all at once', and Porter thinks, Yeah, like fire.

"You can make lights as bright as you want, and it'll only be a temporary fix.  You see rats mostly at night because they can hide better then, so they're out more in the dark -- but hang out behind a mill or brewery or slaughterhouse and you'll see 'em right out in the sunlight, in front of God and everybody."

Aldous blinks a couple times, then makes a sign, touching his forehead, his belly, and each side of his chest.

"Cats are good, but I doubt you'd want a cat around that was big enough and mean enough to go down in that cellar right now -- and if you get a queen, then you'll turn your rat problem into a cat problem in short order.  A couple little dogs might do better than a cat, but you haven't got time to raise good ratters from pups -- and you can't depend on buying an adult, it'll just run home as soon as you turn your back."

Aldous frowns.  "We need magic, no doubt about it, but any magic man or woman will tell you they can solve your problem, whether it's true or not.  That's how they get paid -- for their time, not for their results."

In reply to Kazimir Yurick (msg # 139):

"Neighbor, I wondered when you would make the rounds! The rats are a problem indeed. We get 5hem through the yard, and we keep a barred lid over the latrin now, but thankfully, they do not come in through the walls. The cats keep up with most of them, and help with the mice."

His daughter, who looks to ba about six seems anxious about something...

Sparky finds two pieces of broken brick which he sits down with and starts mumbling and making odd movements.  One of them suddenly becomes extremely (makes your eyes hurt) bright.


[Private to GM:  15:48, Today: Sparky rolled 3 using 3d6.  Continual Light - sunlight. IIRC, it doesn't cost any fatigue either?
15:52, Today: Sparky rolled 3 using 2d6.  How long does it last.]

Thorg gathers up his javelins and stuff, puts his back pack off to the side When we get some light we'll go down and kill as many as we can.

"Whoa, that's a nice, useful trick, Sparky.  Something you could teach me?"  Aldous gives a somewhat dubious smile.

"Anyone get a good look around down there, or were you too busy trying to keep the rats outta yer leggings too?"  His gaze indicates he's addressing Thorg and Porter.

Kazimir notes the girl's mood.
"The rats in my cellar are like carpet, with some as large as small dogs. I've hired some folks to clear them out, so we can regain use, down there. There's so many, that an armed group of 3 men seem at a loss, where to start, without being overwhelmed!"
Setting down the bottle and cups, he pours for two on the baker's counter.
Kazimir plays a ditty on his lute, masking the spell he'd cast, in doing so...
"I've been working on a new song..."
19:53, Today: Kazimir Yurick rolled 9 using 3d6.  mind reading ~ 14.
19:59, Today: Kazimir Yurick rolled 11 using 3d6.  lute ~ 15.
Kazimir read the girl's thoughts to find what would trouble such a young girl...
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Tue 05 Nov 2019.

In reply to Sparky (msg # 143):

Make another roll... you m8ght just crit again and make a permanent sun stone. Also, yes, that cost nothing to do.

In reply to Kazimir Yurick (msg # 146):

The little girl glances away...

[Private to Kazimir Yurick:she is afraid of a noise next to her room on the lower level, something that scratches and moans from behind a wall]

20:06, Today: Kazimir Yurick rolled 13 using 3d6.  carousing ~ 17.
Kazimir smiles, and raises his glass to the baker. "Cheers!"
He takes a sip, and speaks again:
"We haven't been able to see the extent of our own cellar. I wonder if ours connect...The family and I heave heard scratching sounds, have you heard or seen anything strange?"
He gives the girl a kind glance for a moment, as he raises his cup to take another sip, and await the baker's reply, or perhaps an interjection from the girl.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:11, Tue 05 Nov 2019.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 147):

Will a 5 do it?
19:08, Today: Sparky rolled 5 using 3d6.  Sun Stone.

Black looks on as he stands idly to the side watching and following along with the back and forth discussion and planning.  Try as he might to come up with some plan to eradicate the premises of rats, his ideas either seem to have holes or he's one step behind the others in the creative planning.

When the brick begins to glow he smiles and exclaims, ”Ooooo.  We need about ten 'a them down there.”

Well here is one... give me a bit and I will try to make another.

"Hey, that's great! Can I pour you a drink?"

Just some of the 'vass stuff ... drinking and casting don't mix well. He picks up the next brick half and again casts  on it.




[Private to GM:  10:51, Today: Sparky rolled 12 using 3d6.  Continual Light - sunlight.  Skill 13
10:52, Today: Sparky rolled 7 using 2d6.  How Long does it last.   7 days I believe.
One of my many GMs adds a point to your skill if you roll a natural 3... was that you?]

Sven laughs, and pours him a cup.

In reply to Sparky (msg # 154):

[Private to Sparky:The 1st stone  is good for two weeks, the second for a week.
 not I, but I do extend bonii. Double crit has pronounced effects]

"The girl complains of scratching, but I don't  here it. She is in the basement,  it is true, not far from the stairs. It is quiet, and clean, all whith whitewash."

"Tell uncle Kaz, what you hear little one. Is there just scratching, or do you sometimes, hear other things? Maybe Auntie Hetty, can find out what it is, and make it go away. Would you like that?"
He says kindly, to the girl-child.

Sparky hands the second brick to to whomever wants it ... I'll need to rest a bit now...



[Private to GM: So the 5 was not considered a Crit then?]

Aldous still has his own lantern in one hand, and his biggest knife in the other, so he'll nod for someone else to take the glowing brick pieces.

"That's a good start on makin' it light enough to really fight down there.

"Almost makes me wish we could get one of those guys from Little Sahud, or a Hindu -- I've seen 'em showing weapons in the market square that'll cover like a broom, take out half a dozen of those little guys with a single swing.  Still enough down there to wear a guy out, though.

"Hey, Sparky, anyone from your class who knew how to, like, charm animals?  Like that old story my mom used to tell about the fellow with the pastry and flute, the Pies Piper?"

Sparky shakes his head ... nah, no one like that. If I get a few coins ahead, I'll go join that adventure guild... they are supposed to be able to teach some stuff...

In reply to Sparky (msg # 160):

A bowman might help...
...and for general info, 3-4 is always a crit, 5 is a crit if your skill is 15 or better, and 6 if 16 or better. If you have a skill in excess of 17, a 17 is a normal dailure, and an 18 still crit fails.

Right... Forgot... apologies, sure looked good to someone who rolls lots of high numbers...

"Okay, so, the light situation is better, we should at least be able to see what to stab.

"Still the problem of half a dozen bitin' while you're whackin' one.

"Say, Sven, you said your mom makes all this wine and kvass and stuff -- you got any that didn't quite come out?  Maybe we could put a couple pans of that down there and get the rats drunk enough to sleep?  They ain't gonna sleep out in the open where we can get 'em, but if they run off somewhere, that'd give us a chance to block up their holes while they nurse their hangovers."

"That could work..Ma knows all about poisons,too. When you clear us a perimeter, We can set out something that will put them down, for the big sleep!"

I can dispatch a few with my Javelins ... probably shoot the bigger ones first.

"Not sure that'll make much difference, but ever' big one you take down is one less we got to worry 'bout later.  Gettin' your spears back might be fun, though."

Maybe, but Rats aren't especially courageous

"Depends some on how hungry they are.  I've seen a rat, ordinary bog standard half-pound rat, take food from a full grown guard dog's bowl."

Black feels good to be in the company of people who sling about grand ideas like a bartender slinging cups of mead and ale.  He interjects when there is a free moment.  ”They're hungry.  What about putting a bowl of meat at the top of the stairs.  We open the door just long enough to get the big ones up and out.  Shut the door and kill them before they know what hit him?  Then we could use all the other ideas to deal with the small ones?”

"That could work..It might cause the strongest among them to compete, in getting to the bait first, so you can slay them first. Worth a try, at least!"
Sven said, rubbing his chin, as he thought about Black's idea.

Personally I wish to keep them below, with all the light  we can start killing them there and not get blood all over the bar room. I am ready to quit talking...

"I'll drink to that! I think Sis would too, so I'll make that'n a double!"
Sven pours himself a drink.

"I like the idea of separating them, so we only have to deal with a few at a time.  If I had plate armor boots, I wouldn't mind so much going down there with them, but I don't."

We start from the stairs, where they are not so many ... I'll lead if you wish... you keep them off of my boots.

"Lantern in one hand, knife in the other.  I'll do what I can to keep your feet clear.

"Got one of those brick shards?"

Downing his drink, and taking up his axe, Sven will unbar the door and open it, when they are ready for another sally, below!

In reply to Svendegard Yurick (msg # 176):

As you are ready, Svendegard yanks the door open.

Adolus' lantern shows the steps clear, but some movement below

Let's get those stones down here, I'll lead.  Thorg heads down with his spear point leading again. This time he has his javelins along as well.

In reply to Thorg (msg # 178):

Who has the stones?

Porter holds the brick as the hired fighters assemble once again near the door and wait for it to open. The brick is awkward and he finds he must regrip and regrip it again to keep it from slipping.  He asks the owners if they have some simple tools.


OOC:
I have one of the bricks.  I will ask Svendegard if they have some twine and a hook.  My idea is to bind the brick in string and tie that to a hook which can be hung from a nail or piece of wood in the basement ceiling.  A TL3 version of an overhead light to free up hands when we get a foothold downstairs.  If this isnt workable I will just hold the brick in my left hand.  Sword is ready in my right hand.  I will happily go after Thorg.

Svendegard nods at the request.
"We have such things in the kitchen. Ma hangs meat in there. Sis! Bring us some twine, and a meat hook, please!"

After a minute, Nana comes in wearing an apron with potato peelings stuck to it, and her boots.
"Here. So, what's going on? I could use a break, anyways."

"We are about to descend into the cellar once more, with better light to aid in seeing what we will kill."

You approach the cellar dangling the brick.

Make an IQ roll

"Good luck, down there..."

OOC:
PM for dice roll.


[Private to GM: 13:59, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 11 using 3d6.  IQ.
Missed by 2. ]

Aldous follows Thorg onto the stairs, holding his own lantern high.

[Private to GM: 18:35, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 10 using 3d6.  IQ (approaching the cellar).  Success by 1, if the roll was applicable to me.]

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 187):

Tossing the brick into the rats will affect them more directly than hanging it from the rafters

"Who's got the other brick shard?  Let's give it a toss out in the middle of the floor, see if it makes their eyes hurt."

Nodding his agreement Porter tosses his lighted brick to the basement below and then goes about removing his shield from his back.


OOC:
Toss by glowing brick to what looks like an ideal spot then Ready my shield.

In reply to Fisher 'Porter' Black (msg # 190):

The rats clear a 3 yard radius of the blindingly bright brick. You see that the smaller rats are swarming over each other to get out of the way.
This message was last updated by the GM at 15:02, Sat 16 Nov 2019.

Is Bob the Abomination something now visible?

"Wow, nice.  These must not get out in the light much."

In reply to Abomination (msg # 191):

 OOC:do you mean to use "rat bastid" or do we well, and truly have an undead earth elemental loose in the cellar? if that's what the little girl is hearing, she and the bakers could be in big trouble... cant those walk right through earth and stone, and easily get her?

In reply to Hetilda Yurick (msg # 194):

That was a finger slip from Narrator. Corrected.

OOC: How big is this basement.  A 3-yard radius ought to leave most of the floor clear.

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 196):

The basement is about 7 yards deep from the top of the stairs, which turn, to one wall, and 5 orv6 yards to either side, although due to the pillars and beams supporting the floor above, much is obscured

https://drive.google.com/file/...JQ/view?usp=drivesdk

Turning to the baker, Kazimir whispers (as to not frighten the girl further):
"My wife is knowledgeable in detecting and warding off evil spirits..Perhaps we could try, and see if the child's fears subside?"

"Come on, Porter, Thorg.  Except for the shadows of the pillars, we've got almost half the floor cleared.  That should give us room to stand and start chopping up the rats."  Following his own advice, Aldous moves down the stair, brushing past Thorg if necessary, to reach the edge of the cleared area.

Still holding his own lantern, he slashes at a convenient rat.

[Private to GM: 18:37, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 10 using 3d6.  Knife, roll to hit (13 -1 for SM).
18:38, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 5 using 1d6-1.  Damage (cutting).]

Thorg starts stabbing at rats too, especially the bigger ones ...



[Private to GM:  20:36, Today: Thorg rolled 9 using 3d6.  Spear Thrust.  by 4
20:36, Today: Thorg rolled 7 using 1d6+2.  Spear Thrust damage.  ]

Black smiles for until Aldous said it it had not occurred to Fisher that they could stand in the space cleared by the brightly glowing brick that Sparky had made for them.  This made him happy and he eagerly followed behind.


OOC:
Sword and shield are Ready.  Follow the others down the stairs to the spot cleared by the light.  Use my shield to cover the backs and flanks of my new friends.  Hack at everything within reach going from biggest to smallest.  Try to leave enough room so people can use a Retreating defense.

He follows the others down and tries to cast ... a thin stream of flame streams from his hand and he turns to cutting up rats with it as they fight to get away.


[Private to GM: 13:19, Today: Sparky rolled 7 using 2d6.  Flame Damage.
13:16, Today: Sparky rolled 4 using 3d6.  Innate attack beam.
13:15, Today: Sparky rolled 13 using 3d6.  Flame Jet 2 hex.]

In reply to Fisher 'Porter' Black (msg # 201):

With two of the larger rats squealing, one
safely at spear point, the other turns to bite at Adolus'arm, doing 1 point cutting before DR, unless dodged.

Sparky perfectly angles his flame jet to clear through two yards worth of rat swarms, nailing about a dozen normal rats in one shot!

Porter notices that the stairs,  which have no risers, are concealing a small horde of normal rats, which are starting to move into your shadow!

"I'll be closin' the door now. Can't risk them surging upstairs!"
Sven closes the door and bolts the door, after all have left the bar.

He moves his flame jet in under the stairs, trying to avoid touching the stairs.

In reply to Sparky (msg # 205):

This would be a shot at -4 to get the jet between the steps, -6 to get under the lowest step.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 206):

Thought he was off the steps...  if he is on the steps, he is singing them...



[Private to GM:   20:19, Today: Sparky rolled 11 using 3d6.  innate attack beam. skill by 2 ...]

Aldous laughs briefly as his leathers turn the rat's bite, and stabs at the rat that tried to bite him.

"Have at thee!"

[Private to GM: 05:06, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 9 using 3d6.  Knife, roll to hit (13 -1 for SM).
05:07, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 5 using 1d6-1.  Damage (impaling).]

Fisher notices the swarm moving and points with his sword.  ”Get 'em!”, he calls out.


OOC:
Move to the closest and most immediate threat.  Swing til its dead.

In reply to Fisher 'Porter' Black (msg # 209):

Fisher's rat dies squealing.
The blast of flame scorches the steps... and flushes two swarms out, one of which moves to attsck porter (damage next round) hit and do 6 or better damage to scatter them.

Thorg picks out a big one and stabs. then swings the edge back trying to cut/crush any smaller rats with the edge.



[Private to GM:   20:22, Today: Thorg rolled 8 using 3d6.  Spear Thrust.  by 5
20:22, Today: Thorg rolled 7 impaling using 1d6+2.  Spear Thrust damage. ]

Sparky swings his flame at the small herd of rats dislodged from under the stairs ...


[Private to GM:    20:27, Today: Sparky rolled 12 using 3d6.  Innate attack beam.  Just made it
20:27, Today: Sparky rolled 6 using 2d6.  Flame Damage. ]

Aldous shakes his head.  "How are you not dead?!"  He stabs at the rat again.

[Private to GM: 05:06, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 12 using 3d6.  Knife, roll to hit (13 -1 for SM).
05:06, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 5 using 1d6-1.  Damage (impaling).]

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 213):

Adolus' rat, which was near death, expires messily.

Sparky crisps one swarm

Thorg has a rat on a stick, which flies dead off the spear on the back swing.

He is surrounded by normal size rats that bite at his feet- he takes 5 points cutting befir the DR of his boots!
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:05, Wed 20 Nov 2019.

OOC:
You mentioned Porter then a spear.  I'm using a sword.  Did you mean Thorg?

"Ha!"  Aldous lifts his foot for a stamp at a normal size rat, then remembers he's barefoot and converts the motion into low slash, knuckles brushing the floor as his knife sweeps through the rats.

[Private to GM: 18:32, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 15 using 3d6.  Knife, roll to hit (13 -1 for SM).]

In reply to Fisher 'Porter' Black (msg # 215):

That was Thorg. I need to see rolls for combat, so throw me Porter's numbers.

Fisher might look as the picture of an unhappy fellow.  His mouth is framed in a snarl, his teeth are gritted and gnashing and his eyes are narrow and beady.  But in truth the man couldn't be more pleased.  He is gainfully employed, working with professionals and the lighting situation has been solved.  The payday is solidly in his future.  Now the man simply swings his keen blade back and forth to exterminate the vermin.




[Private to GM:
Retreating Defense.  Swing attack.  Position myself back to back with someone to protect my flank while still allowing room to Retreat.

14:25, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 8 using 3d6.  Swing.

14:26, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 7 using 3d6.  Retreat Block.

14:26, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 6 using 1d6.  Swing damage.
Damage for me is 1d+3.  Cutting. ]

With a mighty swing, Porter is able to cleave through the rats that are charging him, enough to scatter the swarm.

There renain three more giant rats just visible outbogf the light, and probably four or five more 1 yard hexes of normal rats, all outside the circle of light. The shadiws cast by the four of you and the numerous rat bodies are starting to reduce the ground level light, and some of the rats are advancing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:35, Thu 21 Nov 2019.

I am tiring with all this casting... we will need to retire soon.

He swings again at nearby rats advancing to get a clear shot at those advancing toward them.

[Private to GM: 11:48, Today: Sparky rolled 11 using 3d6.  Innate beam attack. By 1
11:49, Today: Sparky rolled 4 using 2d6.  Damage. ]

Thorg grunts at Sparky's comment and stabs at more rats.


[Private to GM: 11:52, Today: Thorg rolled 12 using 3d6.  Spear Thrust damage.   by 1
11:52, Today: Thorg rolled 5 using 1d6+2. ]

In reply to Thorg (msg # 221):

Both oc you wound some of the advancing rats, but not enough to dissipate them.

Aldous shifts to work at clearing the area around the bottom of the stairs.  "Let's make a way out."

He makes another low swipe at the swarm between his feet and the stairs.

[Private to GM: 17:45, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 10 using 3d6.  Knife, roll to hit (13 -1 for SM).
17:46, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 3 using 1d6-1.  Damage (cutting).]

Sparky heads up the stairs, but stays to look after the others safe exit...  OK Up there, be ready to close the Trap Door when we come up...

He also backs toward the stairs, still stabbing and slashing at the rats. All right I'll be the last one up, as i have boots on.

Sven unbolts and opens the door, so they may retreat.
"Come on, up!"

Sparky exits the stairs then turns to help as he can.

Understanding the direction the group is moving Fisher begins backing up towards the stairs while keeping his shield out and low, to thwart any last minute sneak attacks.


OOC:
Move to the stairs.  Cover the retreat using my shield.  Attack anything that gets in range.


[Private to GM:
Retreating Defense.  Swing attack.  Position myself back to back with someone to protect my flank while still allowing room to Retreat.

14:20, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 8 using 3d6.  Attack.

14:20, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 14 using 3d6.  Block.   Misses by 1.


14:21, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 5 using 1d6.  Damage.

Damage for me is 1d+3.  Cutting. ]

In reply to Fisher 'Porter' Black (msg # 228):

Adolus and Porter cut through the swarm and make it to the stairs.

Aldous looks back at Thorg, then takes the stairs two at a time.

"Come on, then, Thorg, you're last man out."

Thorg makes a last slash then turns and follows the rst up, turning at the top to deal with any follows rats.

Sven will secure the door, when everyone has emerged.

In reply to Svendegard Yurick (msg # 232):

It would seem that more than half of the large rats, and slightly less of the smaller ones have been cleared...

There are a large number of them and they felt cornered and attacked us, it will take several foray's like the last to clear them all, assuming no more come in.

”Ya, nice work.”, Black says as he looks around at his new band of brothers.  ”A couple more of those and we should clean up the cellar.”


OOC:
Stand guard near the door in case it needs to be opened quickly.

"What I don't get is where the big ones are getting into the cellar.  Hey, Sven, did the previous owners mention anything about an access to the tunnels?"

"No, only that there was a "rat problem". It looks like we won't know for sure just what's down there, until we can explore without being swarmed."

"Probably right.  Okay, so I guess we need to let Sparky rest up a bit, and then look to see if the rats have decided bricks as bright as daylight are harmless.

"Wish I'd listened when Father Robards suggested I should always wear shoes -- but they aren't free, not if you want them to fit, anyway."

"Well, you never know what you might step in... Horse droppings, someone's chamber pot, they emptied into the street..."
Sven grimaces at the last part.

"Horse droppings and ox pats aren't so bad.  They use ox pats for building material some places.  Chamber pot contents you just have to spot before you step -- and even then, it doesn't bite."

Fisher stands by the closed door and listens to the conversation.  He chuckles at the mention of the hazards of walking around in bare feet.  When the question of the rats nest is broached he shrugs to acknowledge his lack of ideas but he likes where the dialogue is headed.

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 240):

Expected pay for a day is $37 each, with food provided, $33.

Cheap ugly shoes cost $16, $40 for decent ones.

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 240):
"You've never seen a case of hookworm then, friend. It's an awful sight!"

"Live in the poor parts o' town for a while, one kind of bloody flux is a lot like the next.  I'm a lot less concerned about where I walk than what I eat.

"Still, I can run out and see is there a cobbler nearby who has something ready to wear, and close enough to my size.  If Sparky doesn't have a wizard's knack for resting, I should be back before he's rested up.

"I've got the coin for a pair today, I just got out of the habit of wearing 'em.  They make noise when you walk, they wear out, they get too small, people steal them..."

"Might be a good idea, when trudging around in the cellar, with all those vermin relieving themselves down there. As far as eating, ma should have dinner ready by the time you return. Smells like the soups on, and the knishes have started to bake... I can hardly wait!"
The burly youth salivates visibly, and licks his lips.

Aldous inhales deeply.

"I never heard of a knish, but whatever it is, it smells good.  Back in a flash."

He runs out the door.

OOC: is there a cobbler nearby who might have something already made up?  Certainly don't have time to wait for measurements and fittings.

OOC: area knowledge (northport), or an IQ-4 roll, should turn up what you seek!
This message was last edited by the player at 03:57, Thu 28 Nov 2019.

While all the talk of footwear begins flying around Fisher bends to inspect his own leather boots.  Still in good shape he thinks.

16:50, Today: Hetilda Yurick rolled 5 using 3d6.  cooking ~ 13 (+1 for help,+1 for time, 15 or less).
A simple, but excellent meal is prepared. The soup stock is of cracked, and roasted, mutton bones. It contains shreds of meat, onions, carrots, and of course potatoes. A large wicker-work basket with a lid, containing a steaming mound of fist-sized, round pastries, stuffed with mashed potatoes, caramelized onions, and mushrooms, with spinach, are also served. The herbs and spices used are simple, with garlic being prevalent, with some salt, and perhaps a pinch of the costlier pepper.
"Санни! Мать нуждается в ваших мышцах!"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:08, Thu 28 Nov 2019.

Aldous returns promptly, walking with an exaggerated gait as he reaccustoms his feet to wearing leather.

"I certainly hope that meant something like 'Come and get it!'"  Aldous has a big smile.

[Private to GM: 16:50, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 10 using 3d6.  Area Knowledge (Artisan District) (12) to find shoes quickly.]

17:10, Today: Svendegard Yurick rolled 14 using 3d6 (ST ~ 13, failed by 1) ((6,2,6)).
"Oh boy, Oh boy! It's time to eat!! Ma needs my help. We'll bring everything on a cart in here."
Sven rushes into the kitchen...
"Hey! This is heavy!, Gimme a hand, Sis! You two sure made alot!"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:19, Thu 28 Nov 2019.

"Мы позаботимся об этом, мам. Иди за папой и скажи ему, что ужин готов. Он в пекарне."
The sounds of a heavy object being moved and set down is heard from the kitchen.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:52, Thu 28 Nov 2019.

The Matron of the Yurick household emerges from the kitchen, and pauses a moment, shrewdly appraising all of you.
"Надеюсь, вы все голодны! Теперь, чтобы найти моего мужа."
She smiles and waves, heading out the door.
It's clear to you all by now, that "Hetty" doesn't speak any Aralaise, as her husband and children do.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:54, Thu 28 Nov 2019.

In reply to Hetilda Yurick (msg # 253):

You settle in to the hearty soup and delicious knishes. Below you can hear faint squeaking.

"So, a knish is seasoned mashed potatoes wrapped in a crust?  That's a lot of good food in one little word.  Good soup, too.  Seems you folks eat well, anyway."

"Good food, for good health, and strength! Ma takes care of us!"
Svendegard says, as he eats with gusto.

Kazimir laughs, and kisses his wife on the cheek.

He eats the soup with gusto, but settles for just one knish.

Porter sits down and tucks a napkin neatly under his neck and then digs in.  He vigorously gobbles up a bowl of soup without being overly rude.  He isn't sloppy nor does he make loud noises though some might consider his rapid eating uncouth.  In between spoon fulls of the hearty soup he bites into one, then two knishes and every bite is followed by a genuine mmm.

"There might be something nastier than rats down there. The baker's daughter, I discovered, is frightened of scratching and moaning sounds, near where she sleeps. I've never known rats, to moan."
Kazimir says, as he breaks a knish in two, taking a bite.

He nods, yes, just heard sounds like that before we sat down to this excellent meal. We may need to think in terms of a bigger threat. Bet those lights are covered as well.

Hetilda sits quietly, eating. Occasionally asking one of the family to translate, so she can follow the table-talk.

"Mother should really learn Aralaise. It'll add to her clientele, and be better for our business."
Nana says, before taking a spoonful.

"I don't know, I don't speak a word, but there are parts of town where you hear more Shevnian than Aralaise.  Little Shevnia is, um, that way, but not far.

With food like this, and drinks as good, you might just draw clientele from over there once the word gets out."

Aldous bites into his second knish, catching an escaping dollop of potato with his fingers.

Fisher sits amongst the crowd, munching slowly on the knish as the words rumble around in his brain.  'Frightened of scratching and moaning sounds'.  What could it be he wonders.  Rats don't moan.  They squeak.  A dying rat perhaps?  Do dying rats moan, like people?  What if it were a really, really big rat?

After pondering the mystery for a few moments Black decides to ask.  He finds asking to be a pretty productive endeavor.  ”What could be down there that moans?”

"Undead of some type, would be my guess. Perhaps some of the walking dead of the last plague... This place has been abandoned for some time."
Kazimir says, as he pours himself a cup of kvass, from the pitcher on the table.

"How horrible.. Maybe it's walled up down there, or the place was used as a hasty grave. Hopefully there are none in our cellar! As if a swarm of assorted rats, weren't bad enough!"

This message was last edited by the player at 15:58, Mon 02 Dec 2019.

"Что это?"
Hetilda takes a knish from the basket, and sets it in her trencher.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 16:02, Mon 02 Dec 2019.

"У пекаря могут быть нежить в подвале, рядом с местом, где спит его дочь. она жалуется на царапины и стоны звуков..."

Kazimir answers his wife.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:58, Mon 02 Dec 2019.

"I heard there were a number of cases where people walled up dying family members back in the plague time.  Stories go that sometimes the walled-up one outlasted the family who did the work.

"If you do in fact have walkers walled up down there, between your basement and the baker's, we'll probably be able to tell more when we get the rats beaten down a bit more.  Hard to listen quiety down there just now.  Might even be you've got a way down further instead of a walled up walker.

"Could actually work in your favor, though -- the Guild almost had a little internal war recently over properties with doorways to the old tunnels.  Charge a silver a head for folks to go in, and take a tithe from whatever they bring out, you could retire in style."

The family all get a golden twinkle in their eyes, except Hetilda, who doesn't understand what was just said, but she surely recognizes the look of golden opportunity, in ones eyes!
"Скажи мне, о чем вы все интриги, сейчас же! Ha ha ha.."

"If that be so, we could make this place, so much more...Any secrets you uncover, will by virtue, have brought you into our endeavor, as partners...But, keep it among our house, only. We don't want  several factions coming down upon us, for what we may have discovered. Agreed?"
Kazimir then translates to his wife, who then gets the golden twinkle, likewise.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:17, Tue 03 Dec 2019.

"Now I'm curious! This is starting to sound like an adventure, than a cleaning out a nasty old cellar!"

Sven, who had been preoccupied with his dinner, even pipes up.
"Wow! just think, if we lived right over some access to the underground? I wouldn't be hassled by the guild, every time I wanted to go on a foray, to say the least!"

Black gets an answer to his question but the look on his face shows that he doesn't quite understand it.  Then he asks innocently, ”Walking dead?  You mean, like people die.  And then rise up out of the grave and walk around?”  The thought of such a thing sends a shiver down the simple mans spine.

"Yeah.

"Most of the ones you'll see are from the plague time, but Father Robards always said you could still get walkers and such if the dead weren't properly buried."

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 276):

Eventually sending someone to map would be worth $50 for a good copy.

If everyone is rested, it is time for another foray.

He rises and suggests Let's have another look , maybe we can see an opening.

Aldous holds up his lantern and brandishes his knife.

"Ready when you are."

He hadn't done anything terribly taxing so the young mercenary didn't need a lot of rest.  Still the break, the food and the good conversation was the perfect thing to set a man up for some hard work.  Grabbing his gear Black moves to the top of the stairs.  With a smile he adds,   ”Ready.”


OOC:
Sword and shield are Readied.

"No rest for the wicked!"
Sven jibes, as he helps clear the dishes.

I am ready as well, hopefully they haven't covered those bricks...

Kazimir stands from the table.
"I'll secure the door behind you, and be ready to let you all back up. Good luck, down there."
This message was last updated by the player at 18:05, Tue 10 Dec 2019.

I'll take the lead

"Hopefully they haven't brought in more reinforcements!"

"Give 'em hell, lads!"

In reply to Svendegard Yurick (msg # 286)

Bright light shines from below as the door is opened.

there is movement beyond the perimeter of the light below.

He has his spear point aimed down the stairs as he heads down, He'll stab at anything on or coming up the stairs, although the sudden bright light makes it hard to see. His shield is in his left hand/arm.



[Private to GM:  15:59, Today: Thorg rolled 16 using 3d6.  Spear Thrust.]

Knowing there are still more rats of the dog sized variety Fisher is happy to swing his blade for coin.  Hopping into line behind Thorg he heads down the stairs relieved to see the lights have not been overwhelmed.


OOC:
Sword and shield are Readied.

Aldous follows Porter and Thorg, lantern held high despite the bright light coming from below.

"Look out, rats."

 "Сука блаят!"
Sven says as he takes a shot of vodka.

Hetilda sets up a backgammon board, there is also chess, and a deck of cards available.
The rest of the soup is lidded and set in the embers of the main hearth.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:04, Fri 13 Dec 2019.

He continues down the stairs stabbing at any Rats in the way more effectively as his eyes adapt.



[Private to GM:    12:07, Today: Thorg rolled 7 using 3d6.  Spear Thrust.
12:09, Today: Thorg rolled 8 impaling using 1d6+2.  Spear Thrust damage. ]

Aldous, almost treading on Porter's heels, looks over the side of the stairs for an open space on the floor.

[Private to GM: 19:01, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 15 using 3d6.  Per (12), looking for open space on the cellar floor.]

He comes down behind the fighters, looking for a place his skills could be best put to use.

Kazimir secures the door, behind the group.
He then engages in games and conversation, with his family.

14:10, Today: Hetilda Yurick rolled 9 using 3d6.  water to wine ~ 14.
14:10, Today: Hetilda Yurick rolled 12 using 3d6.  create water ~ 14.
Hetilda creates a gallon of pure water, into a jug, and transforms it into a very potable, table wine.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:15, Sat 14 Dec 2019.

In reply to Thorg (msg # 293):

Thorg impales a large rat, which coughs blood before rolling off the stairs into a swarm of smaller rats.

While Adolus is peering into the distance, rats pour from between the steps and start biting him on the stairs, doing 3 pointts cutting before DR!

"Ow!  Mother father!"

Aldous slashes around his feet with his knife.

[Private to GM: 05:06, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 5 using 3d6.  Knife, roll to hit (13 -1 for SM).
05:07, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 7 using 1d6+1.  Damage (cutting). oops, should be 1d-1 = 5]

Black is curious as to the source of the moaning.  He's heard plenty of stories of the dead moving about but he's yet to see one first hand.  And too the man has served some time in a militia, and his code spurs him to not let his companions take on risk that he himself isn't willing to take.  Throwing himself into the fore Porter slashes about with his blade.


OOC:
Go after the big ones, if none are within range just kill anything close.  Dont over expose myself.



[Private to GM:
Melee defense:  Retreating Block
Ranged defense:  Diving Dodge

14:26, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 7 using 3d6.  Attack 1.

14:27, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 8 using 3d6.  Attack 2.
14:27, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 12 using 3d6.  Defense 1.

14:27, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 12 using 3d6.  Defense 2.

I do 1d+3 with a Swing attack.

15:59, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 4 using 1d6.  Damage 1.

16:01, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 6 using 1d6.  Damage 1.]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:02, Mon 16 Dec 2019.

He advances down the stairs and lays into the Vermin.


12:59, Today: Thorg rolled 4 using 1d6+2.  Spear Thrust damage.
12:59, Today: Thorg rolled 8 using 1d6+2.  Spear Thrust damage.
12:58, Today: Thorg rolled 3 using 1d6+2.  Spear Thrust damage.
12:58, Today: Thorg rolled 13 using 3d6.  Spear Thrust.
12:58, Today: Thorg rolled 6 using 3d6.  Spear Thrust.
12:58, Today: Thorg rolled 8 using 3d6.  Spear Thrust.

In reply to Thorg (msg # 301):

Adolus slashes through the swarm attacking him, dispersing it.

Throg spears another large rat, and scatters two swarms.

Porter cuts back a swarm, and takes down a dog sized rat after catching it on his shield.

Adolus has another swarm advancing from under the stairs, it will be on him soon.
Each of the other two have similarky advanced toward a number of swarms.

*swarns do automatic damage

Still bent over a little since he is fairly high up on the stairs, he finds a group ofr critters and summons a fireball.




[Private to GM:  19:24, Today: Sparky rolled 13 using 3d6.  Fireball. Just made it]

Aldous jumps from the lower part of the stairs to the clear space around the nearest light brick, planting a newly shod foot among the rats if needed.

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 304):

Due to the proliferation of rat corpses and blood spatter, that light is getting occluded, to the equivalent of just better than torchlight--2 to rolls. Grabbing it and lifting it would get things back to daylight.

Sparky has a fireball!

OOC: earlier, i provided a hook, and some twine, that the brick might be fastened, and hung above.

Porter is pleased at the team work and their success but he is concerned about the dying light from the ever increasing body count.  ”We need to clear the basement.  Would you two mind hauling up some of the dead weight?”


OOC:
Go after the next swarm or any big ones near me.

If Sparky and Aldous are willing to drag carcasses upstairs I will guard them as they do so.  Use my shield and sword to prevent stuff getting at them while they haul up meat.



[Private to GM:
Melee defense:  Retreating Block
Ranged defense:  Diving Dodge

14:27, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 9 using 3d6.  Attack 1.
14:28, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 6 using 1d6.  Damage 1.
14:28, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 11 using 3d6.  Defense 1.


14:27, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 8 using 3d6.  Attack 2.
14:28, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 4 using 1d6.  Damage 2.
14:28, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 9 using 3d6.  Defense 2.


I do 1d+3 with a Swing attack.
]

We'd need bags or something ... I can carry a few that way.   Sparky is not your image of a strong young man.

In reply to Svendegard Yurick (msg # 306):

No one took the time to pound the hook into the beams; there are no free rafters to hang things from- the cross beams are attached to support collumns but there is nothing to hang something from without getting on a stepstool and pounding it into place.

The larger rats, being about 80lbs, and 5 feet long including tail, can be dragged by limb or 5ail, and might take both hands.

Porter slices through a swarm, but is bitten (if you engage, being bitten by 9 rats is an environmental hazard defended against by DR) for 4 points cutting before DR. He does disperse the swarm though.

Aldous reaches down with his knife hand and tries to pick up the nearby light brick without dropping his knife.

[Private to GM: 18:43, Today: Aldous Hack rolled 14 using 3d6.  Dex (12) to pick up light brick without dropping Lg. Knife.  Oops.]

OOC:
Ok, since a hanging light is doable with some elbow grease I would like to work on that but only when its safe.  Sounds like we need to borrow some items from the inn folk.  A step stool and hammer along with the other items they previously offered.

Porter thinks that getting the big rat bodies out of the way would help so we're not stumbling over carcasses while we fight.  Especially if we run into undead down here.  So he suggests someone drag the big ones upstairs.  If its feasible and Sparky and Aldous are willing Thorg and Porter can cover them while they both use two hands.  Or Porter is happy to carry dead rats if someone covers him.


[Private to GM: DR is 3.  I have hard leather armor with the +1 DR enhancement.  So if I didn't defend then I take 1 point.  Do I record that, or do you?]

At 80 pounds, Sparky can only drag one out. How ever he will do that and relay the need for a hammer and a spike.

Kazimir nearby, has his children fetch what is needed. The door is opened, and the rat is piled with the other, slain earlier.
"Hot brown and rat pies, for a month 'o sundays!"
He exclaims.

Sparky makes a face ... Yuck!

"Sparky, as small as you are, I'd have guessed ya for a background in hunger, but if the idea of eating rat makes you ill, I guess I'm wrong.  Been many a day when I'd have welcomed even a haunch off one of these little ones to toast over an unwatched brazier."

Been hungry a lot ... but also seen what them rats eat... I do have standards.

"I guess we've been fortunate. Sometimes when work is slow, I do a day's fishing, and bring some home for ma to cook. We've never had to go hungry around here, or had to even think about eating Boris. Why, he's like one of the family."

"Yes, you even drink with him. Don't lie! I've caught you giving him beer!"
Nana teased.

"He likes it! Besides, after working all day, who doesn't enjoy a drink?"
Sven countered.

Sparky dumps the big rat on the side of te street across from the inn and then goes back over and in to the bar area.

In reply to Aldous Hack (msg # 310):

Adolus has the sun bright brick in hand, but not his knife, which clatters to the ground...

I put hp in the lower part of porter's biography. We can track those things there.

Aldous puts his shoe on the knife to keep it from wandering off (aided by four-legged scoundrels) and looks around for someone to field the brick.

"Who wants this?  Or should I just drop it in the middle again, now that it's uncovered?"

We can hang it from the stairs...

The siblings move toward the door, each armed with boarding axe, and knife respectively, should there be a sally of rats.
"That's a good idea. Set it on the higher stairs for now, to cast light in the immediate area and take it with you, as you move throughout the cellar."

OOC:
I dont have a free hand to hold the glowing brick.  I say we make the effort to hang it but only if we can manage it without said person getting badly bit, or we just drop it in a clear spot on the floor.

Well if one of the Kids would come down and pound a nail with their boarding axe, it would help a lot!

18:28, Today: Svendegard Yurick rolled 10 using 3d6.  seamanship ~ 11 (knots) .

Sven takes the brick, twine, and hook. Knotting the twine around the brick, he supplies a wooden mallet from the kitchen, and handful of nails.
"Here, take these. Now, it's ready to hang."
He passes it along with a barstool given to him by his sister.

We are fighting Rats... Can someone hand the thing?

Let me try ...

Sparky takes the various things and tries to pound a nail in the beam. He misses the nail (and his hand) but loses his balance and falls...


[Private to GM: Oh What fun...
12:00, Today: Sparky rolled 16 using 3d6.  DX .
12:00, Today: Sparky rolled 12 using 3d6.  ST.]