Bruuxa fails to notice the rats. So doesn't react.

A squirming blot of smoke materializes into three red-eyed rats the size of dogs. Wisps of darkness trail from it as it scrambles forward, yellow fangs gnashing hungrily, each one springs onto one of you with murder in their eyes


On the surprise round the Shadow rats go first

INITIATIVE
19 Haggard (failed PER) Def: 13 (armor 3) / Health: 33 (current:29)
15 Larrendir (failed PER) Def: 13 (armor 4) / Health: 37 (current:37)
12 Bruxxa (failed PER) Def: 11 (armor 1) / Health: 26 (current:24)
09 three shadow rats*

*The rats have a Defense 12 (armor 0)
Rat on ‘’L’’ Health: 11 // Rat on ‘’H’’ Health: 11 // Rat on ‘’B’’ Health: 11

So that’s the turn order and to move things along, I'm letting you know what the targets’ Defenses are for attacks.
Spell casters already have the Difficulty number in the spell description (some spells allow the target a resistance check, so I'll roll that on my next reply)

If you succeeded & have generated stunt points then consult the Combat Stunts table;
After that; roll your damage right after and let me know which rat you targeted.

On your turn, you can do a Major action and a Minor one (refer to the GM reference and/or GM Screen)

1- Rat on ‘’L’’: Hit & bitten for 0 damage but ''Knocked Prone'' (Any character making a melee attack against a prone foe gains +1 bonus on the attack roll).
2- Rat on ‘’H’’: Hit & bitten for 4 damage & knocked back 2 yard toward the aft and away from your allies (skirmish stunt)
3- Rat on ‘’B’’: Hit & bitten for 2 damage & knocked back 2 yard toward the prow and away from your allies (skirmish stunt)
*Yes I have taken your Armor ratings into account already*

That is it for the surprise round. All of you can go ahead with your turns. If you can do them in the initiative order that would be great but not absolutely necessary (I can be lenient if someone want to adjust his action to fit it more appropriately with another PC’s)


**You have until midnight, Wednesday april 14th to reply.

Haggard is solidly bitten while attempting to scurry aft, away from the shadow rat.

As he does so he draws his axe from it's hanger on his back. (Ready/minor action).

He takes a hasty backswing at the beast with his axe and comes up short(Melee Attack/major action = 11 miss).

But as he does so he manages to maneuver around the creature and put the main mast to his back. (1 SP Skirmish).

End Turn
This message was last edited by the player at 01:10, Wed 14 Apr 2021.

Larrendir is tripped up by the Shadow Rat as he tries to avoid its maw, sending him to the slick deck. While lying on his back prone, The Ranger unslings his Long bow and shoots up at the lunging Shadow Rat in one fluid, practised, motion.
(Ready: Minor Action & Ranged Attack: Major Action)

Larrendir's arrow strikes True,
(Range Attack Roll 13)

Piercing the Shadow Rat's throat Mid leap as it lands on Larrendir.
(Damage roll 10)

Larrendir is still on his back, prone, granting the Shadow Rat a +1 to its ensuing melee attack.

End Turn.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Thu 15 Apr 2021.

Put off by the shadowy rat Bruuxa lifts his left arm to show his bracer towards the rat who bit him, firing off an arcane blast 'roll 13 hits 2sp] [Using stunt points to increase damage by 2]
Causes 6 points of damage to the rat.

Then he carefully moves towars his companions. [half speed? 5 yards]

Once the element of surprise is over, the heroes go on the offensive. Haggard takes a hasty backswing at the beast with his axe and comes up short. But as he does so he manages to maneuver around the creature and put the main mast to his back.

Larrendir is tripped up by the Shadow Rat as he tries to avoid its maw, sending him to the slick deck. While lying on his back prone, The Ranger unslings his longbow and shoots up at the lunging rodent in one fluid, practised motion. Larrendir's arrow strikes true, piercing the Shadow Rat's throat mid-leap as it lands on the elf, still alive but just barely. It’s black blood sprays over the ranger and the deck but it’s teeth find no way thru the armor.

Put off by the shadowy rat, Bruuxa lifts his left arm to show his bracer towards the rat who bit him, firing off an arcane blast, killing it outright. The magical fires sear it and the corpse falls in a heap of grey wispy ash. Then he carefully moves towards his companions.

INITIATIVE (round 1)
19 Haggard (missed) Def: 13 (armor 3) / Health: 33 (current:26)
15 Larrendir (hit rat L for 10 damage with bow and arrow) Def: 13 (armor 4) / Health: 37 (current:37) *Prone (Any character making a melee attack against a prone foe gains +1bonus on the attack roll).
12 Bruxxa (hit rat B for 11 damage with Arcane Blast & Mighty Blow Stunt, thus killing that giant rodent) Def: 11 (armor 1) / Health: 26 (current:24)
09 three shadow rats* (Rat H moves in & bites Haggard for 3 damage & Rat L bites Larrendir for 0 damage)

*The rats have a Defense 12 (armor 0)
Rat on ‘’L’’ Health: 01 // Rat on ‘’H’’ Health: 11 // Rat on ‘’B’’ Health: Dead

INITIATIVE (round 2)
19 Haggard (xx) Def: 13 (armor 3) / Health: 33 (current:26)
15 Larrendir (xx) Def: 13 (armor 4) / Health: 37 (current:37) *Prone (Any character making a melee attack against a prone foe gains +1 bonus on the attack roll).
12 Bruxxa (xx) Def: 11 (armor 1) / Health: 26 (current:24)
09 two shadow rats*

**You have until midnight, Friday, April 16th to reply.

Bracing his back against the mast Haggard lines up a blow for the rat's glowing eyes, and with a powerful overhead chop of his axe he cleaves the shadow rat's head in half.

Haggard stands firm with his back to the mast and sweeps his axe in a defensive pattern.

(Major Action - Melee Attack with Axe = 12 w/ 4SP)
(Axe Damage w/ Mighty Blow Stunt/2sp + Pinpoint Attack = 17 damage)
(Minor Action - Stand Firm and Defensive Stance Stunt/2sp = +2 defense)

End Turn
This message was last edited by the player at 04:02, Thu 15 Apr 2021.

Larrendir nimbly kicks up to his feet, back peddling away from the Shadow Rat, towards the main mast also.
(Minor Action: Move)

Drawing another arrow from his quiver to his long bow and firing and the glowing, red-eyed Shadowy mass scrambling towards him!
(Major Action: Range Attack)

His Arrow strikes in its glowing right eye with such force it it explodes into a gory mess and completely bypasses its skull to wedge into the deck!
(Range Attack Roll: 15/Damage Roll 10)

The Elven Ranger suddenly free of peril for the moment, takes a few breaths
(Flavour Text only)

"Let us hope there are no more of the wretched creatures!"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:07, Thu 15 Apr 2021.

Bruuxa moves to Haggard and reaches out to him.
[Minor action]

He then casts Healing touch him.
[Major action]
{{Rolls 16 for casting [TN 10] with 5 stunt points}}
  {Skillfull casting 2sp brings MP use to 0}
  {Might spell 2sp adds 1d6 to healing roll 5 + 2}
Bruuxa heals Haggard for a total of 7 points.

Bracing his back against the mast Haggard lines up a blow for the rat's glowing eyes, and with a powerful over-head chop of his axe he cleaves the shadow rat's head in half. Haggard stands firm with his back to the mast and sweeps his axe in a defensive pattern, alert for any other dangers.

Larrendir nimbly kicks up to his feet, back peddling away from the wounded Shadow Rat, towards the main mast also. Drawing another arrow from his quiver to his long bow and firing and the glowing, red-eyed Shadowy mass scrambling towards him!
His Arrow strikes in its glowing right eye with such force it explodes into a gory mess and completely bypasses its skull to wedge into the deck!

The Elven Ranger, suddenly free of peril for the moment, takes a few breaths and looks at the dwarf; "Let us hope there are no more of the wretched creatures!"

With the deck clear of any immediate threats, Bruuxa moves to Haggard’s side and reaches out to him. A warm green glow emanates from his hands and stops the bleeding bite marks on the dwarf’s arm and shoulder.


INITIATIVE (round 2)
19 Haggard (hit rat H for 17 damage with axe w/ Mighty Blow stunt & Pinpoint Attack and Stand Firm and Defensive Stance Stunt/2sp = +2 defense) Def: 13 (armor 3) / Health: 33 (current:33)
15 Larrendir (hit rat L for 10 damage with bow and arrow and gets up from prone) Def: 13 (armor 4) / Health: 37 (current:37) *Prone (Any character making a melee attack against a prone foe gains +1bonus on the attack roll).
12 Bruxxa (moves towards Haggard & casts Healing Touch, recovering 7 points) Def: 11 (armor 1) / Health: 26 (current:24)
09 two shadow rats* Dead by the time it's their turn.

*The rats have a Defense 12 (armor 0)
Rat on ‘’L’’ Health: Dead // Rat on ‘’H’’ Health: Dead // Rat on ‘’B’’ Health: Dead

Now out of Combat:
After this short but intense altercation, you stay on alert but nothing else leaps out at you. The usual sounds of the ship can be heard again and the greenish lights from the lantern are the only witness to the fight. You seem to hear a cheer from many male voices coming from below deck, beyond the doorway beneath the aft-castle.

What do you do now?


**You have until midnight, Saturday, April 17th to reply.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:21, Thu 15 Apr 2021.

Bruuxa looks around the deck for clues or anything that stands out. In particular, the raised section in the stern, is there a door at deck level that opens into the inside of the raised section? Lioke the captain's cabin would be.

[Perception roll 15 5 stunt points]
[3 stunt points used for The Object of Your Attention :+1 to further tests]

Bruuxa notices that he is bleeding so heals himself.
[Casting Healing touch TN10 MP1 roll 15, damage heeling roll 6,
Fully closes his wound,
This message was last edited by the player at 17:06, Thu 15 Apr 2021.

Yes, as I mention in my previous post, even without a PER check, you notice a door on this deck in aft-castle (the rear of the ship) and you all heard a cheer go up from many voices coming from below deck.

Bruuxa does not detect any further threat.

Do your characters head in that direction?

**You have until midnight Monday, April 19th to reply
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:37, Mon 19 Apr 2021.

Haggard finally steps away from the mast after waiting and watching for what seems like an eternity.  He stows his axe on his back, draws a nasty looking curved dagger from his belt, holding it in a reverse grip and grins as he turns to his companions.
"I keeps this for close quarters.  Shall we see what this is all about?"

He then stealthily advances towards the back of the ship to the door to investigate the sounds...

(Dexterity-Stealth check results = 14)

Bruuxa turns to Larrendir, gives a nod and with caution follows Haggard.

Larrendir stows his Long Bow, and ands out his Bastard Sword in left hand and keeps his right hand on the pommel oh his sword, try to quietly following the Haggard & Bruuxa, but unfortunately steps on a rotten piece  of deck which cracks loudly.....

(Dexterity-Stealth check results = 10, failassuming average 11 TN)

**Your stealth results will be the difficulty numbers for any Perception checks.

As the three of you creep towards the doorway leading down, the sounds of cheer increase as well as noises of dancing feet, clinking mugs and bottles. You slowly descend the steps and instead of the cramped lower deck you’d expect, you find yourself in what can only be described as a tavern tap room. The place is huge with two more floors above you (but you only took a short flight of stairs down?). You see many pale translucent sailors on the upper floor mezzanines having fun as well as the main floor where you are.

Large barrels line one wall, with many bottles here and there. A flat wooden bar is before those barrels with a tall dark-skinned man with a long braided and plaited beard behind the bar serving drinks. The place is illuminated again by those iron lanterns that cast green light.

As you take in all the sights, sounds and smells, three ghostly sailors appear on some barstools, a little bewildered they look around and the bartender walk up to them and serves them drinks and reassuring words. They seem to relax and begin drinking.

The bartender sees you and beckons you over. What you thought was a human man is actually a dwarf obviously walking back and forth on a raised floor behind the bar. He notices you noticing this and smiles.

“Greetings strangers and welcome to the Wailing Banshee. I’m your host, Darby Grizzlegut. Drinks are on the house - until midnight that is”. With that he slides three drinks, each one is your favourite drink and it’s the best version of it that you’ve ever tasted.

“It looks like the Ghostlight has requested your presence in order to resolve our current problem. It all started when ghostly rats started boiling up from the depths of the Galley of the Damned, and I haven’t heard from the keeper of the Galley, Eskeril the rat King. And I haven’t been able to send the souls of the wicked sailors to the Galley for three nights. I’m not able to leave the Banshee myself, so we would all greatly appreciate your help in finding out why and if possible setting things right again.

“You’ll have to go through the Fiddlers’ Green, that’s where the souls of dutiful, loyal sailors are sent. But do not fall prey to the charms of the Green.”

“If you succeed, you shall each be rewarded.”

**Do you accept Darby’s request for help?

**You have until Wednesday, April 21st to reply.

Haggard looks at the bartender dubiously and asks.... "What sort o' reward are we talking 'ere?  I can't see meself tryin' to spend no ghost coins."

Darby answers “Worry not my brother...anyone promised material rewards will receive it, in actual gold or any other payment that was agreed upon. It will not be fools gold nor ghost coin as you call it. The Ghostlight rewards those that have agreed to help.”

In reply to GM (msg # 28):

Haggard nods approvingly and grunts his acceptance.

Bruuxa ignores the proffered drink, being suspicious. Listens to Haggard's conversation, says, "Alright, count me in."

Larrendir looks down at the bar as he slowly reaches out and then takes a sip from the offered drink. Miruvor, a reviving Cordial with a touch of Honey, well known among the Wood Elves. He takes a few moments to savour the rest of the sweet Liquor and with an appreciative nod and says," Let us see about finding this Rat king and solving Ghostlight's Dilemma."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:48, Wed 21 Apr 2021.

-Very good then, says Darby. Please come around the bar and I will usher into the Fiddler's Green. Once there, find the door that will lead you eventually to the Galley of the Damned. And be on your guard, even though the Green appears nice and peaceful it will try to lure you to stay there.

As you make your way behind the bar, Darby lifts a trap door on the floor which has a ladder going down into a warm yellow glow that obscures the bottom. Each of you climbs down the ladder and soon find yourselves standing in a verdant field of tall grasses, wild flowers, buzzing bees and songbirds, trees in the distance creating a fence it seems, with a beautiful blue sky & a few puffy white clouds drift by lazily. In the middle of the clearing stands a huge Willow tree. (Check out the Fiddler's Green map on Obsidian Portal)

Spread out on the green sward are many spectral sailors lounging about. They sing, dance and share bowls of ale. The crowd of sailors seem thicker closer to the Willow and you can discern the outline of a doorway at the base of the tree trunk, it's door shut.

**A overwhelmingly beautiful fiddle song begins. Everyone make a Willpower (Self-Discipline) ability check versus a T.N. of 9 (if you fail then you will be charmed by the next person you see for about 1d3 hours, feeling compelled to sing and dance with that person).

If you succeed, you get a +2 bonus to your next Willpower check & can help a friend who may have been charmed (giving them a +2 bonus to their next check to resist).

**Also, everyone make a Perception (Seeing or Hearing) check versus a T.N. 13.

You have until Friday, April 23rd at midnight to reply
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:59, Wed 21 Apr 2021.

Haggard resists the urge of the fiddle and looks around.

(Willpower - Success 11)
(Perception - Success 13)

Bruuxa easily brushes off the charm of the fiddle and awaits what comes next.

[Willpower test T.N. 9 roll 16]
[Perception test 13 roll 12]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:52, Thu 22 Apr 2021.

Larrendir is enthralled by the captivatingly beautiful Fiddle Song.

Willpower  Test   TN 9 - Roll of 7
Perception Test  TN 13 -Roll of 14 with 2 possible Stunts?