Jairo takes a few steps back towards the shadows and whispers "I'm going to use the lengthening shadows for cover." She steps back from the magical flames and begins to ghost along side the party moving from shadow to shadow.
With a 16 you can't tell if it was a rat or not for sure. But as you produce the flame it disappears. A few moments pass and you see a torch up the path.
Who goes there. Come forward and present yourselves in the name of Sir Richard I command you.
At the sight of the torch up the path and hearing the voice call for identification, Jairo is initially torn between maintaining the advantage of surprise by being unseen and fearing that hiding in the shadows may appear suspicious.
As Prisca call out she decides it's probably safer in the middle of the group than to be accidently shot at for skulking in the shadows. Jario steps out and walks up beside Prisca, holding her palms flat out in front showing them to be empty. "That's right, there's been a report of a rat problem. The good fellow Boris from Norend's Admin House instructed us to come this way. If you would be so kind as to lead us to some shelter so we can get out of the darkness and hopefully discuss the matter further then we'd all be very grateful."
I am not the lord just one of his men. We were told to expect you in the morrow. He gestures the group to follow him and he turns down the path.
At the gates leading to the villa an young half elf no more then 18 waits. He looks perturbed. Anyone with a passive perception of 12 or more will see specks of food on his face and clothes. The guard walks up and whispers in his ear.
Hello thank you for coming. But I fear my load was not expecting you till the morning and refused to meet commoners after dark. Please leave and come back in the morning.
How do you respond?...
Ooc: forgot to add your papers are signed by Sir Boris himself which has weight. You may add a +1 to persuasion, intimidation or raw charisma checks when talking to nobles and other of influence around Norend
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
In the background Lia shimmies a certain way, whispering an Elfish word of power (prestidigitation). At the threshold of audibility starts up a skittering sound, like one or two rats going on about their business in the guard room...
Lia pulls out the papers that Boris had given them, and opens up the document letting them move around after dark and looks it over, turning so as the 2 guards could see it...Really? Come back tomorrow? Rats! Rats, gentlemen, come out at night, mostly. I suppose we'll just have to camp out here by the gate and take our chances, and hopefully while you two brave and stalwart guardians are doing such a fine job guarding his Grace's larder that the rats will be so busy with the wine cellar and the silverware that they over look poor little old us out here by the gate in the oncoming dark of night. Rolling the documents back up Lia brushes the crumbs off the Half elf's shoulder, and tucks them back under her cloak... Such brave, stalwart guardians, both of you...The skittering of the rats has slowly increased to just barely audible, partly because the apparent number of rats has grown...
Persuasion 23
(ooc - the skittering noises are centered in the guard room, and will slowly increase in volume...)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Prisca looks to the guard and says "We need not see Sir Richard till morning. We just need to speak someone, possibly a steward to explain to us the rat problem plaguing this land. Then all we need is permission to investigate the matter." Prisca whispers"Do you want to be responsible if more cattle are attacked this night." Afterwards he shows them Boris's letter.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jairo nods in encouragement with Lia and Prisca. "Gentlemen, my name is Jairo, a security expert hand picked by SIR Boris himself." She flashes her identity papers reading Jario, Security Expert, Norend. "Now, we all know how nobles prefer menial tasks done without being bothered, and we're here to do just that." Jairo pauses a moment to gauge the guards reactions before continuing.
"Think of it this way, a Knight no less has sent a group to deal with a problem, they have arrived early as they knew how important Sir Richard was to the realm, carrying signed papers to show their authenticity. You fine gentlemen, stopped them, inspected them, examined their papers and whilst early everything else is in order. You've even carried out Sir Richard's orders to ensure he is not disturbed after dark. We all respect that and personally I commend you on your diligence. Now as my wise companion here pointed out, we don't need to bother Sir Richard with this problem, merely a steward or the like to explain the issue so we may discreetly get on with the task. As guardians of Sir Richard's household you have discharged your duty to protect it from unlawful entry, saved Sir Richard precious time speaking with commoners about a menial task and been of keen aid in helping solve the problem itself by realising that time is of the essence. Sir Richard may well be grateful to the two guards who went above and beyond the call of duty."
Jairo pauses again smiling, then tilts her head looking skyward as if considering the other argument.
"Of course the opposite would be true, if we were made to wait and bother Sir Richard in the morning, and he would certainly be keen to find out who was responsible and why."
Jario snaps her eyes back on the pair of guards, watching intently.
<Squire Kip is now a reluctant ally. Until his status changes he will attempt to help the party when he is able, but not but will not go out of his way to do so. Destroy please feel free to make a persuasion if you like you have the potential to upgrade Kip to a more trusted ally>
While the party is try to convince the squire to let them do their job one of the Guards speak up. Sir Kip you hear that... it's sounds like rats in the guard house.
Kip holds his hand up to the party. I hear it too. It might be back. I'll keep an eye on them you two go to the house and update his Lordship.
The two guards run inside the house and Kip draws his sword which glows in a dim light. I guess you get to do your job tonight after all. Follow me these things usually come in packs of 6 to 10 and watch out for the one with yellow eyes. It's not natural.
The party looks at each other trying to determine if they will break the ruse. At that moment a shadow with yellow eyes appears on the wall just over the guard house.
Tonight we eat them all my children. Then tomorrow the city.
10 rats come over the wall and the shadow disappears.
Roll for initiative. And please post your opening action when able.
<I like to run combat my having every just post what they want to do then I'll put it in order in a roll up post. I'll tell you if I want the party to roll in initiative order>
Lia shares a knowing smile with Jairo - Nicely played, dearie well done...I think I will let RRRRAAAATTTTSSS!!!!
She holds one hand out as if it wielding a hand held crossbow pointing with her index finger at a rat, holding her other hand over the pointing index finger in a clawed fashion, and clearly states Congatio Rattus
Casting Frostbite (con save, 1d6 cold damage, disadvantage on next weapon attack)
As soon as Prisca sees the yellow eyes he grabs his quarterstaff and whispers a spell under his breath. Runes start appearing on his staff. He slowly rotates his staff ready for the fight to come.
Callahan holds his tongue, seeing as the others are already making acquaintances with Sir Kip. Perhaps he will have a chance to make introductions later. For now, duty calls! Sword out, shield high, he readies for the ambush!
Initiative:10
When he is able, strikes at the nearest full hp rat, several years of training kicking in!
Kip takes off after Yellow Eyes leaving the battle.
Callahan shows up his years of training by slicing a rat from group B in 2 as they start to attach him. Lia cast her spell creating a Ratpop out of a Rat in group A. Jairo shoots a rat from Group A as they approach her. The Rats attack biting Callahan and Jairo. Prisca casts Shillelagh.
----End of round----
Order: Callahan, Lia, Jairo, Rats 2B, Rats 3C, Rat A, Rat D, Prisca
Jairo takes a few steps back towards the shadows and whispers "I'm going to use the lengthening shadows for cover." She steps back from the magical flames and begins to ghost along side the party moving from shadow to shadow.
25 - stealth
With a 16 you can't tell if it was a rat or not for sure. But as you produce the flame it disappears. A few moments pass and you see a torch up the path.
Who goes there. Come forward and present yourselves in the name of Sir Richard I command you.
Prisca in a loud voice states "My name is Prisca and we have been sent to help you Sir Richard"
He keeps the cantrip active so Sir Richard can clearly see who they are. Except for Jairo who is hidden.
At the sight of the torch up the path and hearing the voice call for identification, Jairo is initially torn between maintaining the advantage of surprise by being unseen and fearing that hiding in the shadows may appear suspicious.
As Prisca call out she decides it's probably safer in the middle of the group than to be accidently shot at for skulking in the shadows. Jario steps out and walks up beside Prisca, holding her palms flat out in front showing them to be empty. "That's right, there's been a report of a rat problem. The good fellow Boris from Norend's Admin House instructed us to come this way. If you would be so kind as to lead us to some shelter so we can get out of the darkness and hopefully discuss the matter further then we'd all be very grateful."
I am not the lord just one of his men. We were told to expect you in the morrow. He gestures the group to follow him and he turns down the path.
At the gates leading to the villa an young half elf no more then 18 waits. He looks perturbed. Anyone with a passive perception of 12 or more will see specks of food on his face and clothes. The guard walks up and whispers in his ear.
Hello thank you for coming. But I fear my load was not expecting you till the morning and refused to meet commoners after dark. Please leave and come back in the morning.
How do you respond?...
Ooc: forgot to add your papers are signed by Sir Boris himself which has weight. You may add a +1 to persuasion, intimidation or raw charisma checks when talking to nobles and other of influence around Norend
In the background Lia shimmies a certain way, whispering an Elfish word of power (prestidigitation). At the threshold of audibility starts up a skittering sound, like one or two rats going on about their business in the guard room...
Lia pulls out the papers that Boris had given them, and opens up the document letting them move around after dark and looks it over, turning so as the 2 guards could see it...Really? Come back tomorrow? Rats! Rats, gentlemen, come out at night, mostly. I suppose we'll just have to camp out here by the gate and take our chances, and hopefully while you two brave and stalwart guardians are doing such a fine job guarding his Grace's larder that the rats will be so busy with the wine cellar and the silverware that they over look poor little old us out here by the gate in the oncoming dark of night. Rolling the documents back up Lia brushes the crumbs off the Half elf's shoulder, and tucks them back under her cloak... Such brave, stalwart guardians, both of you...The skittering of the rats has slowly increased to just barely audible, partly because the apparent number of rats has grown...
Persuasion 23
(ooc - the skittering noises are centered in the guard room, and will slowly increase in volume...)
The guards do not yet hear anything. Please give me a persuasion check add +2 to your modifier. He is shamed by the fact you brushed crumbs of him.
<If anyone else would like to say something and make a check please do.>
Prisca looks to the guard and says "We need not see Sir Richard till morning. We just need to speak someone, possibly a steward to explain to us the rat problem plaguing this land. Then all we need is permission to investigate the matter." Prisca whispers "Do you want to be responsible if more cattle are attacked this night." Afterwards he shows them Boris's letter.
7 - Persuasion
(ooc - sorries - I tried putting the roll in the original post and it didn't work so I try again here)
Persuasion 14
Jairo nods in encouragement with Lia and Prisca. "Gentlemen, my name is Jairo, a security expert hand picked by SIR Boris himself." She flashes her identity papers reading Jario, Security Expert, Norend. "Now, we all know how nobles prefer menial tasks done without being bothered, and we're here to do just that." Jairo pauses a moment to gauge the guards reactions before continuing.
"Think of it this way, a Knight no less has sent a group to deal with a problem, they have arrived early as they knew how important Sir Richard was to the realm, carrying signed papers to show their authenticity. You fine gentlemen, stopped them, inspected them, examined their papers and whilst early everything else is in order. You've even carried out Sir Richard's orders to ensure he is not disturbed after dark. We all respect that and personally I commend you on your diligence. Now as my wise companion here pointed out, we don't need to bother Sir Richard with this problem, merely a steward or the like to explain the issue so we may discreetly get on with the task. As guardians of Sir Richard's household you have discharged your duty to protect it from unlawful entry, saved Sir Richard precious time speaking with commoners about a menial task and been of keen aid in helping solve the problem itself by realising that time is of the essence. Sir Richard may well be grateful to the two guards who went above and beyond the call of duty."
Jairo pauses again smiling, then tilts her head looking skyward as if considering the other argument.
"Of course the opposite would be true, if we were made to wait and bother Sir Richard in the morning, and he would certainly be keen to find out who was responsible and why."
Jario snaps her eyes back on the pair of guards, watching intently.
9 - Persuasion
<Squire Kip is now a reluctant ally. Until his status changes he will attempt to help the party when he is able, but not but will not go out of his way to do so.
Destroy please feel free to make a persuasion if you like you have the potential to upgrade Kip to a more trusted ally>
While the party is try to convince the squire to let them do their job one of the Guards speak up. Sir Kip you hear that... it's sounds like rats in the guard house.
Kip holds his hand up to the party. I hear it too. It might be back. I'll keep an eye on them you two go to the house and update his Lordship.
The two guards run inside the house and Kip draws his sword which glows in a dim light. I guess you get to do your job tonight after all. Follow me these things usually come in packs of 6 to 10 and watch out for the one with yellow eyes. It's not natural.
The party looks at each other trying to determine if they will break the ruse. At that moment a shadow with yellow eyes appears on the wall just over the guard house.
Tonight we eat them all my children. Then tomorrow the city.
10 rats come over the wall and the shadow disappears.
Roll for initiative. And please post your opening action when able.
<I like to run combat my having every just post what they want to do then I'll put it in order in a roll up post. I'll tell you if I want the party to roll in initiative order>
Initiative 18
Lia shares a knowing smile with Jairo - Nicely played, dearie well done...I think I will let RRRRAAAATTTTSSS!!!!
She holds one hand out as if it wielding a hand held crossbow pointing with her index finger at a rat, holding her other hand over the pointing index finger in a clawed fashion, and clearly states Congatio Rattus
Casting Frostbite (con save, 1d6 cold damage, disadvantage on next weapon attack)
(ooc - how do I link in the spell description?)
5 - initiative
As soon as Prisca sees the yellow eyes he grabs his quarterstaff and whispers a spell under his breath. Runes start appearing on his staff. He slowly rotates his staff ready for the fight to come.
(Shillelagh cantrip)
Initiative in each group of rats the number represents rats remaining
Rat Group 3A: 1 5
Rat Group 3B: 16 2
Rat Group 3C: 2 4
Rat 1D: 18 4
Kip : 7
Callahan holds his tongue, seeing as the others are already making acquaintances with Sir Kip. Perhaps he will have a chance to make introductions later. For now, duty calls! Sword out, shield high, he readies for the ambush!
Initiative:10
When he is able, strikes at the nearest full hp rat, several years of training kicking in!
Attack: 16 Damage: 5
Initiative: 22
Jairo widens her eyes and draws her short bow. She moves to ensure that the rats will engage someone with a melee weapon first.
She then lets loose an arrow at Rat group 3A.
Attack: 20 Damage: 9
Kip: You take care of things here I'm going after yellow eyes. We end this torment tonight.
With that Kip goes through a door in the wall near the guard house. The door slams shut behind him and the lock falls back into place.
Rat Group 3A and 3C will attack Jairo dealing 3 damage.
Rat Group 3B and 1D will attack Callahan dealing 1 damage.
Feeling pleased with herself Lia continues casting Frostbite, this time at one of the rats attacking Jairo - Congatio Rattus
Frostbite (CON save, 1d6 cold damage and disadvantage on attacks this turn)
Jairo hisses in pain as the rats bite her, she draws back her arm and switches to her daggers (two weapon fighting).
She swings first at rat group 3c with a dagger
Attack: 23 Damage: 8
If there's another ally attacking rat group 3c, sneak attack damage 6
Bonus action two weapon fighting, Jairo swings a second dagger with her off hand at rat group 3a
Attack: 22 Damage: 1
Order: Kip, Callahan, Lia, Jairo, Rats 3B, Rats 3C, Rats 3A, Rat D, Prisca
Kip takes off after Yellow Eyes leaving the battle.
Callahan shows up his years of training by slicing a rat from group B in 2 as they start to attach him. Lia cast her spell creating a Ratpop out of a Rat in group A. Jairo shoots a rat from Group A as they approach her. The Rats attack biting Callahan and Jairo. Prisca casts Shillelagh.
----End of round----
Order: Callahan, Lia, Jairo, Rats 2B, Rats 3C, Rat A, Rat D, Prisca
Post when able