Before the Pull: A Dangerous Curiosity

[TetNak]

"Death or worse. Carnac is called the 'Free City', but that name means absolutely nothing. When the forefathers built this city, I think their minds must have been addled, just like yours." He sighs, "I suppose it was not always like this."

Before Daerith says anything else, Two Jacks reappears, now wearing leather armor and a pack on his back. "I'm ready, Aelryn. We'll be going out the way we came."

[veritas]

"Very well. It was good to meet you both, Daerith and Avory."

He turns back towards the door and walks out with Jacks, allowing him to lead considering that he seems to know the way.

[TetNak]

Daerith gives a slow nod, and Avory simply smiles. As Two Jacks and Aelryn depart, the man sighs, "This is not going to be pleasant," he admits. "We have to go down to parts of the catacombs to get across the city. There will be grunlings down there, there's no doubt."

[veritas]

Aelryn gives a soft chuckle, "Well, at least we'll be too busy with the grunlings to notice the smell."

[TetNak]

Two Jacks grins and leads the way. The pair make various turns, this way and that, and Aelryn is not sure he would be able to come back the way they've came without his guide. They go down at least three levels as well, and the deeper they get, the worse the smell is and the less it looks like anything could survive. Two Jacks is carrying a torch, which helps him see, but Aelyrn does not have such troubles. Eventually, the pair come around a corner and start to hear strange chittering and odd noises. Two Jacks looks down at the river of filth between the two walkways. "Grunlings," he whispers, nodding around the corner, then leaning against the side of the sewer wall to try to keep himself concealled.

[veritas]

Aelryn readies his bow and leans against the wall, following Jacks' lead.

Action

Get bow out and ready and try to sneak along with Jacks to avoid detection

[TetNak]

Being overly stealthy is difficult because of Two Jacks' torch. The flame bounces off the walls, alerting the goblins around the corner. They obviously become active and the splashing of bilge can be heard. Two Jacks curses and pulls out his rapier, waiting for the creatures.

Action

Stealth (Aelryn): 13
Stealth (Two Jacks): 12 - 3 (Torch) = 9

vs. Perception 11

Initiative

Grunlings 24, Aelryn 18, Two Jacks 9

The grunlings come quickly, rounding the corner and pressing the attack. They are green and small. They have oddly longer arm and legs than their frames might seem to support. The ones rushing to the front lines hold wicked and primitive blades. They chitter in some bizarre tongue as they advance ...

Only one can get close enough quickly, stabbing Jacks in the side. The man grunts, but it appears his armor takes most of the damage. Two more rush forward, both standing directly in front of Jacks and Aelryn. The third is over by the ledge, trying to climb up but failing. He has some sort of small bow on its back.

Action

Grunling 1:

Move: Move W x 2, N x 4
Standard: Attack Two Jacks: 19 vs. 12, Success (Critical)
Critical Confirm: 11, Fail (No Critical)
Dmg: 4 - 2 (Leather) = 2 to Vigor

Grunling 2:

Move: Move NW x 2 (15), N x 3
Move: Move N x 1

Grunling 3:

Move: W x 2, NW x 2 (15), N x 2
Move: N x 1

Grunling 4:

Move: NW x 1
Move: Climb N x 1 (2 vs. 10, Fail)

Aelryn ...

Hit Points

Two Jacks:

Vigor - 2

Map

Grunlings

Two Jacks

[veritas]

Aelryn jumps back and looses an arrow at the strange goblin before him.

Action

Take a 5-ft step back (north on the map) and attack grunling number 3

[TetNak]

Initiative

Grunlings 24, Aelryn 18, Two Jacks 9

Aelryn slides backward, drawing an arrow and quickly firing at the grunling. The arrow flies high, breaking against the stone wall in the background behind the green beasts.

Action

Free: 5-Foot Step N
Standard: Shoot G#3
12 vs. 13, Fail

Two Jacks ducks and stabs, the blade punching through the creature's simplistic armor and puncturing the beast's stomach. He yells out in pain as the man draws away the blade.

Action

Standard: Attack G#2
"19", Success
Critical: 16, Success, Damage Directly to Wounds.
Dmg: 9 - 2 (DR) = 7

Initiative

Grunlings 24, Aelryn 18, Two Jacks 9

The grunlings surge forward, and besides the one that keeps failing to climb up the wall, the others attack. Two rush Two Jacks, he parries on blow, the attacking blade close to his face, the second he dodges easily. The grunling that rushes Aelryn stabs at him, but the elf dodges aside.

Action

G#1

Standard: Attack Two Jacks: "20"
Critical: 10, Fail
Dmg: 2 to Vigor

G#2

Standard: Attack Two Jacks: "20"
Critical: 11, Fail
Dmg: 2 to Vigor

G#3

Move: N
Standard: Attack Aelryn: 11 vs. 15, Fail

G#4

Standard: Climb 3 vs. 10, Fail!

Aleryn ...

Map

Hit Points

Two Jacks: -4 V, -0 W

G#2: -0 V, -7 W

[veritas]

Aelryn continues his previous tactic, moving back and firing. He'd underestimated how close the grunlings were when Two Jacks pointed them out and now he was sorely regretting that mistake.

Action

Take a 5-ft step back and fire again at grunling 3