-
(http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/455/kingstonqueenphoto.jpg)
Arriving in Guatemala, the 'Kingston Queen'.
"The Arrival"
Saturday June, 7th 1941
Caribbean Sea
The Kingston Queen. A merchant vessel sailing under a Jamaican registry. Like most merchant ships it is not armed with large deck-mounted guns, but if it were to ever be boarded by pirates they would likely find themselves at the mercy of a fairly well armed crew. The ship is probably about 500 tons, small for a merchant ship, but adequate for the purposes of its current group of passengers. Battered and rusty, it goes without notice in most of the ports it visits throughout the Caribbean.
[spoiler](http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5932/kingstonqueen.jpg)
[/spoiler]
Even now, as it approaches its destination of Puerta de Santa Boca, a group of men meet privately below deck in a stuffy lounge near the crew quarters…
-
The lounge contains a table, chairs, and a battered sofa. A small gas stove sits in the far corner, and a pot of coffee simmers away on the range. The enticing aroma of fresh coffee floats freely through the air, partially covering the scent of old body odor that seemed to permeate everywhere on the ship. Outside the portholes land can be seen encroaching on the horizon. Mountains covered in vast swaths of jungle.
For the most part you’ve kept to yourselves until now. Though you recognize the faces of the men you currently travel with, you are all still strangers. Each of you have volunteered to be here, and now as you look at each other you realize that these are the men that you will be spending all your time with in the days to come.
The lounge door opens, and a heavyset man dressed in a brown suit peers in.
“Everyone’s here? Good. I’ll be just a moment as I gather my things.” He disappears, and the door shuts once again behind him. He is clearly American.
[Please make your initial posts at this time. Please describe your character’s physical appearance and dress. If you want to make small talk while you wait that is up to you.]
-
Dr. Loder sits at the table, poring over various maps and charts of the area. Every so often he wipes his glasses with his tie to clear the fog generated by too many bodies in such a cramped space. Sitting back, he pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs noisily. He gets up and edges his way to the gas stove and pours himself another cup of gritty black coffee. Looking up at one of the men standing by the table, Dr. Loder tries to break the ice. "First time in Guatemala, huh?"
-
Eisen wasn't totally sure of the company he kept on this vessel. True, he'd been a prime force in assaulting the German war machine, and he hated the Germans just as much as anyone - indeed moreso, for his personal ties to the country - but he still felt as though he wasn't fully trusted by people. It was a well-established fact that even the English military, his firmest and oldest allies in his one-man espionage-military struggle against the current ruling force of his home country, didn't hold him n high trust. But still, they'd asked him, somewhat desperate sounding, to join this expedition, and the stakes were supposedly high. He recognized people there, but hadn't the gall to actually speak to them.
One spoke to the room at large, and he made a start as if to speak, then decided against it somewhat more shyly than he'd liked to have shown. A second thought made him slip the broken trench knives he'd been fingering back into the belt loosely set around the waist of his fatigues. They were lucky, from his father, who used them in the first war, broken because his father had snapped one blade off inside an enemy. He'd broken the other one off inside a German spy, so they were now basically brass knuckles. As for the fatigues, he wore little else, ever, unless needed, always with dark gray or black tank tops or tight t-shirts, and his fatigue coat covering the thick but not bulky leather coat that had saved him a few times. Slinging the coat off his shoulder and around to the back of a chair, he sat leaning forward with his cup half empty (the coffee was damned disgusting) and in an accent that could hardly be recognized as German (sounding a bit English, a bit American with a German tinge and absolutely no slang), responded to the man, and felt just a bit of tension ease off of his shoulders already. "Yes, which is somewhat of a relief. It's just as wild as Europe, but even so, it seems a little more peaceful here, if only such innocence could cloud the reality of what we're here to do... or, whatever a group like us is intended to do..."
-
Max smiles to the doctor
“Second time for me. I just hope it will not be as bad as the last time. Being hunted by cannibals is not something I wish to experience again”
He then speaks to the German guy
“It seems peaceful. Believe me it is not. Exploring the nature here can be worst than being in a Great war trench”
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal.png)[/spoiler]
John sat back on battered old sofa, it's springs squealed in protest and he shifted on it nerviously, eyeing up the other idividuals in the room.
He had seen them around the ship from time to time, walking amongst the deck or through the tight little corridors around the quaters, the stuffy looking doctor, the european (possibly German though he had yet to confirm it), that rather rough looking american, Richardson the hunter whose had overheared while walking past an open doorway and the... well he had said he was an a lecturer but the chap looked more like a bounty hunter!
John shifted around again, prompting more agonized squeeks and groans from the musty couch, moved his thick jacket from it's uncomfortable position and placed it on the arm of the sofa and ran a hand over his slicked brown hair. His face was young, tanned and handsome many had said he was younger than he looked, his little mustache oiled and trim as his hair and his eyes were dark and active, still sizing up the others in the room, he was not used to working with others, unless they were women, then he was more than happy but something stuck John as slightly off about this venture, and it wasn't the lack of information....
"first time in Guatemala, huh?" It was the doctor that spoke first, he followed the conversation for a bit getting a little nervous at the mention of cannibals
"Cannibals you say?" John looked away before reaching into his pocket
"If you chaps will forgive me I feel I need another cigarette, I really was not expecting connibals on this trip, are you being serious Mr...umm" he scrambled for a name but found himself drawing a blank at the stubbled face.
-
A rather rough and scruffy looking man wearing fatigues and fiddling with parts of his gun sits opposite doctor Loder.
"Cannibals huh?" John says as he takes another sip of coffee before continuing with cleaning his Colt M1911A1.
"I hope the humidity here doesn't have an adverse effect on my weapons...
Say, what are your specialties if I may ask, gentlemen?" he inquisitively asks as he continues work on his Colt.
-
“Max. Max Hawkins. Sorry I am not good with all these social things…Let’s say I feel better when I am venturing alone into an Eyptian ancient crypt than being hanging around with friends in Green Horse, my favourite pub in London”
"Specialities eh?....Hmmmm"
“Well I have a passion with archaeology… mix this with the occult and this is where I am....hmmm I guess I am also good with making things. Mostly explosives…they have helped a lot with in the past against the Nazis…”
Max reaches his backpack and retrieves one of his latest creation, his frag grenade baby doll…
“Have a look at this…you pull this pin and BOOM”
-
Dr. Loder's face brightens at the mention of archaeology. "A fellow archaeologist, huh? I happen to specialize in the pre-Colombian civilization of the Mayas, which is why I'm here, I suppose. My name is Dr. Henry Loder."
Turning to the two men who had identified themselves as John, Dr. Loder grimaces. "I assure you, the risk of ending up on a cannibal's dinner plate in the deep jungle is very real. I narrowly escaped such a fate myself the last time I was here. I had been studying a recently found Mayan codex which had allegedly been unearthed not too far from Guatemala city. Of course, it turned out to be a simple forgery, but it was probably the most excitement I've had in my life.
-
Richard has been in a chair in the corner, leaning back and seeming to doze. He is wearing a traditional British safari outfit and looks to be in his early forties. Propped next to him is the biggest rifle you have ever seen, the kind of rifle used to kill things like elephants and who knows what it would do to a man, and it is obviously well used and taken care of.
At the mention of cannibals he mutters to himself and tilts his hat back. While he looks British, his accent is mixed and it is obvious that this man is well traveled. He leans forward towards the rest of the group and says, "Cannibals are the least of the dangers you will find in the jungle. I have spent time in the Congo, and cannibals can be reasoned with. But can you reason with a Panther? An anaconda? Can you look into the very eyes of death itself and ask it to just leave you alone?"
Richard then leans back. "The name is Richard Jameson and I am a sniper and a scout, have served in both great wars. In between I've been up and down all of Africa. I'm here to make sure that you chaps don't all die before we even get where we're going."
-
"Thanks for the confidence, old man." John deadpans.
"The name's John Kestrel, Sergeant in the U.S. military. I'll be your resident firearms expert and scout on this little field trip."
-
“Max. Max Hawkins. Sorry I am not good with all these social things…Let’s say I feel better when I am venturing alone into an Eyptian ancient crypt than being hanging around with friends in Green Horse, my favourite pub in London”
John pulled a small carton of cigarettes from his overall pocket, opening the top he put the box to his lips and pulled out a white cork tipped cigarette, listening to the individual across from him
"Max huh...."
he watched the man fiddle with his backpack, listening politely before lighting pulling out a match and striking it on the rough of the box, the smell of burning sulfur filled the air around the aviator, he brought the flaming match to the end of the cigarette
"I must say," he took a deep drag "Max, I am also somewhat of a recluse myself"
diverting his attention to the others namely the stuffy looking scientist, he listened in unsure who he should be looking at, the mention of more cannibals drew his attention while Max wandered around inside his rucksack, John Grimaced
"Sounds riveting, I'm sort of an Archaeologist myself I spent quite some time-" he cut off as Max found what he was looking for
“Well I have a passion with archaeology… mix this with the occult and this is where I am....hmmm I guess I am also good with making things. Mostly explosives…they have helped a lot with in the past against the Nazis…”
“Have a look at this…you pull this pin and BOOM”
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/Picture1.png) [/spoiler]
John stared back to Max and the thing in the thing in his hand, a look of sheer disbelief slapped across of face
"It's an....." he paused, not quite knowing what he wanted to say "...exploding doll...."
-
The door to the lounge opens, and once again the man in the brown suit enters the room. His hair and bushy mustache match the color of his plain suit. His gut gives him the distinct look of a man who's enjoyed too many donuts and too many desks. His glasses betray a lifetime of reading.
"Sorry about that folks! I just needed to find my partner." He motions to a thin man in a grey-blue suit who trails him through the door. "Golly, it's awfully stuffy in here. Charlie, would you open one of those windows and let some air in here please?"
The thin man in the blue suit, now identified as Charlie, gives him a look before he squeezes past his partner and heads to the first of 3 portholes. He struggles with the first one, which is clearly rusted shut while the man in the brown suit opens up an attaché case on the table and begins to organize some paperwork and manila envelopes.
Charlie gives up and proceeds to the second; it pops open without quarrel, the third as well. Immediately the smell of sea brine rushes in, bringing with it a cooling breeze. The smell of BO is lessened graciously. Charlie joins his partner at the head of the table.
"Gentlemen, my name is Bradley Wilkes and this is Charlie DuMont-“
“Charles” he cuts in. His voice has a French accent. His hair is curly blonde and he has a Rhett Butler style mustache.
"Sorry, Charles.” Wilkes responds half-heartedly, and slightly amused. "We work for the League of Nations and We're here to deliver your briefing.“ He pauses a moment looking each of you before he continues.
"What I’m about to entrust to you is Top Secret.
"For nearly a decade the Nazis have had teams of archaeologists running around the world looking for all kinds of religious and occult artifacts. Hitler’s a nut on the subject. He’s crazy. He’s obsessed with the occult and right now apparently there’s some kind of German archaeological expedition going on in the Guatemalan jungles of Central America.“
Charles takes over as Wilkes grabs a cup of coffee. "A month ago European sections of Intelligence intercepted a German communiqué that was sent from Berlin to Frederick Krouse, a lead archaeologist of the Ahnenerbe.
"Krouse had been stationed in Cairo leading the continued excavation of Tanis, but was pulled suddenly and sent to join an SS Ahnenerbe team in Guatemala. Looking into this further we discovered that Hitler himself ordered this expedition."
"Two platoons of Waffen SS have been dispatched to the area to support the archaeologists. They are operating in the area of a seedy port town in Guatemala called Santa Boca, and led by Hauptmann Karl Dietrich. Sources report that two German U-Boats are also in the vicinity, U-26 and U-48. At least one platoon is still in Puerta de Santa Boca, so you will need to keep a low profile after you disembark." He takes a large swallow from his cup before he continues.
"An expedition took place during the 1920’s. Letters were written by a man named Albert Dunning to his mother to whom he describes the expedition’s journey to a lost city. Dunning was the only man to make it back, but he died from his injuries in a native village. His letters never made it home; rather they ended up in the possession of a missionary. They resurfaced the hands of private collectors, then traded and sold until the Nazis took an interest in them. Thanks to Herr Abendroth we now have the first three of these instead of the Ahnenerbe." He smiles in Abendroth's direction.
"These letters are our Ace in the Hole. If you can successfully find and follow Dunning’s trail based on the descriptions written about in the letters, then we may just beat the Nazis at their own game this time."
Again Charles DuMont takes over. "In addition to your own personal items, your team has been issued various gear for the expedition. This gear is currently amongst the cargo of this freighter, but you will be able to take possession of it once it has been unloaded. Customs is nearly non-existent, and you should have no trouble taking possession of it once you show the Dock Master your paperwork.
"It is highly recommended that you seek out a man named Harrison Avery. He’s an American who has been living in the area for a number of years. He’s acted as guide on two other occasions for us, and should be friendly to our cause. However, we weren’t able to locate him prior to this mission. It’s quite possible that he has left the area or is dead. You may need to hire porters and mules to ease your progress into the jungles.
Find a guide and try, as best you can, to follow the trail of Albert Dunning."
Bradley Wilkes expression takes a more serious look. "Gentlemen, Hitler believes that there is a powerful relic to be found in this lost city. If this artifact exists we want to get it before he does, even if it turns out to be just a lump of useless stone. Even something symbolically powerful could be used in the Nazi Propaganda machine."
Wilkes pauses for a moment before asking, "Now, do any of you have any questions?"
-
"Are you not forgetting something Monsieur Wilkes?" DuMont says, not really asking. He picks up a manila folder (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=3946.msg126689#msg126689) and passes it across the table in front of you. "You will find Intel Profiles on Hitler and Himmler as well as copies of the Albert Dunning letters that we acquired. We've also included a simple map of Puerta de Santa Boca for you as well. The cargo claims can be found inside another envelope. He looks over at Wilkes, then back to you.
"Now do you have any questions?"
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/fag1.png)[/spoiler]
"Let me get this straight..." says John slowly and carefully, his soft voice cutting through the cloud of heavy smoke around his head, which had been lessoned somewhat thanks to the fresh sea air, he shared his glance equally between both the portly american and the thin frenchie, shifting his weight to lean forwards, a hand on his leg prompting a further squeak from the musty couch, the bazaar contraption in Max's hands forgotten.
"you want us to trec through the jungle, with two platoons of nazi soldiers hot on our hides, following a rough trail described to us in obscure letters and then obtain this..... thing before the probably well equipped and armed nasty Nazi men do?"
-
"Precisely." answers DuMont. "Though honestly, we seriously doubt that the Nazis will even know you're there... unless you make yourselves known." DuMont now helps himself to the coffee and grimaces when he drinks it. "C'est terrible! Comment pouvez-vous boire ceci?"
Wilkes chuckles at his partner's clear distaste. "There is alot happening in this town. This weekend is when all the local farmers and craftsmen come out of the jungles to sell their wares. The town is currently swelling with people. You should be able to blend right into the diverse ethnic pool that we expect. If anyone does have questions about you, you can tell them whatever you like. Maybe you're here to resupply a native village. Who knows. Just be careful."
-
"I think my price just went up..."
John adds somewhat jokingly, finishing the work on his Colt.
-
Richard looks to DuMont "Que pouvez-vous faire? As for the mission, I'll do what I can and keep us clear of the Nazis."
-
"I've got some toys in case they get too close for comfort." John adds, holstering his Colt.
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/fag2.png)[/spoiler]
"I think my price just went up..."
"I'll drink to that, but I hear the coffee is terrible round here" he eyes the choking frenchman and the offending coffee,
"I Thought this was an Archaeology dig, not some sort of wild goose chase involving Nazi soldiers, as a policy I don't get involved in politics or people who can shoot me while I'm out of my plane, I think I'll need some hazard pay... and lots of it, or some more insurance"
-
Wilkes general amusement falters, and his eyes narrow for just a moment.
"What do you propose then, Signor Russo..." He clears his throat. "...or are you going to back out?" Both League of Nations men stare at him unsmiling.
Outside the cry of a gull can be heard, punctuating the moment of silence as all the attention in the room is directed towards Russo.
"This isn't unlike other expeditions. You aren't just delivered to a site and start digging as you may have experience perhaps in your college days. There is always risk when traveling through any jungle. Yes. There are Nazis. But remove them from the equation and I don't see how this expedition really differs." The Frenchman states matter-of-fact.
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/grimice.png) [/spoiler]
"let me make one thing clear to you two... gentlemen" he returned their gaze levelly and unfaltering, his smirk turning to a little sneer,
"I don't work for the good of a nation, or several nations even, I don't work for ideals or philosophies," he paused and took a long drag on his cigarette
"I don't work for men who drag me down from Italy for this ridiculousness, I work for a paycheck, or possibly a beautiful woman on my arm" he added under his breath
"If it wasn't for a few favors I owe people I wouldn't be here on this stinking ship to a dangerous jungle, unfortunately my previous livelihood is down the jon, so make this worth my while gentlemen, for your own sake as much as mine" he flicked the ash from his fast receding cigarette onto an open folder on the table, and leaned forward further
"tell me and my colleagues here, what exactly are we looking for, Hitler is insane no doubt about it, but he isn't stupid, If he wants this thing then it must be worth something as opposed to nothing, I'm not trying the chisel you folks I just want this straight and to be payed well for what it's worth, so level with me, what is it?"
-
"I have to agree with my namesake here. If you expect us to risk our lives, you'd better be open and honest about everything there is to know about this mission."
-
Max listens carefully to his employers until the name of the American guide is mentioned.
"Harrison Avery? that son of a…wait a minute I know that guy…I may have an idea of where we can find him…(insert DM’s information here)"
Knowledge (streetwise): 22
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1995474/
-
Richard gets tired of listening to the bickering, he is there for the love of queen and country. He leans back in his chair, tilts his hat forward, and closes his eyes.
-
Leaning over to the Frenchman, Eisen mutters under his breath "Vous ne faites pas. Le monde contient un meilleur poison…" Following this up, he moves his cup away from his body, before crossing his hands and coughing slightly.
"Eisen Abendroth, please call me Eisen. Nazi's are not a problem. I obtained those letters acting as a saboteur and spy against the Germans, being a pure-blooded German myself. My low-profile work means that whilst I'm not recognized, I think I can speak our way out of any problems, and they are not inclined to this climate either, so their attentions will not be... perfect. And as Mr. John... we must find a way around those names... in any case, as Mr. John said, we can always kill them. The jungles will hold easily concealed graves, and animals will probably deal with them in short time.
I agree that we should know what the item of mention is, but I also must point out that you cannot just return. Not a one of us honestly looks like sailors, we must keep that in mind. The Nazi's appreciate tips from any eyes they don't have to own. If we are seen not part of the crew, but only stopping here to return, they'll worry about intelligence leaking, and that will endanger the rest of us, as well as sign your own execution forms. I'm afraid we must continue, paycheck size and women subject to survival and chance respectively. But I agree, we must not have any questions as to what the dangers are, and what it is we are looking for. Also, is it an option just to destroy it?"
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/meh.png)[/spoiler]
"humph" Russo snorted with dissatisfaction and leaned back against the sofa, flicking the butt of his cigarette out the window (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1995619/) ((just in case))
"do you really expect us to succeed, we still only have a few rough landmarks to place us on the right path, do we even know where to go after we actually hit land?"
he breathed a huge sigh, and crossed his arms considered drawing another cigarette but descied against it, they would probably have to last him a while
"but either way I don't suppose I have a choice, I'm still in, I'm just expressing my frustration, and if it helps call me Russo"
he turned to the man he now knew as Eisen still eyeing the two suits distrustingly
"I knew you were german or something, yes, call me Russo, and don't worry I have no objection to killing, just as long as I get payed for it"
((would I need to roll a bluff check for that splash of bravado?))
-
"You said it yourself Monsieur, your former career is in la toilette and what have you to show? We thought that you wanted to be here because you saw a way to rebuild. However if it only money that you care about, then you will have to collect upon your return. We have not been given any money to give you, as it would not be how you say... prudent, to bring along such on such a vessel as this. Pour l'amour d'un Dieu." DuMont throws his hands in the air and rises from the table.
"Charles. Would you please step outside?" Wilkes says without a hint of question in his voice.
"Monsieur choisit MAINTENANT d'être un âne!" DuMont exclaims, the tone of his voice clearly frustration. Before he leaves the room, he turns to Abendroth, "Je suis désolé que je ne t'aie pas répondu. Je n'ai pas voulu dire pour être grossier. Je préfère un meilleur brew que ceci." He motions half-heartedly towards his cup. He smirks, "Au moins vous avez trouvé la première mule pour votre voyage!"
The door shuts behind him.
"I'm sorry about that." Wilkes says, shrugging his shoulders. "Charlie is hot-headed." He downs his cup of coffee with one final swallow. "Signor Russo, there is no need to be so cut-throat. In addition to any prior arrangements you have already made with the League, If you need help with your expenses once this has past, I'm sure I know of a few fellows in the League who would be willing to help you out with your finances." Wilkes addresses the rest of the group.
"We don't know exactly what Hitler is after, but we don't think he does either exactly. It is believed that after taking possession of the Dunning Letters he began to have reoccurring dreams about the lost city. It's these dreams that drive the Nazis expedition.
"We only know that the artifact is being referred to as the 'Scheibe der Mayan Könige' or 'Stone of the Mayan King'. And for whatever reason our bosses think that there may be real merit to their search. If there is more information on this, they haven't shared it with me."
[Sense Motive check please, but this is to set your minds at ease about Wilkes. An additional roll for Russo Bluff is optional!]
-
[spoiler]
Sense Motive: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1995716/)
I'm not actually asleep.
[/spoiler]
-
Snickering at Charles' statement to him...
[spoiler]Sense Motive: 16 vs Wilkes (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1995803/)
Sense Motive: 18 vs Russo :D (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1995804/)[/spoiler]
-
Listening quietly through all the bickering, Dr. Loder continues observing the men who will be his companions for the next leg of this expedition.
[spoiler]Sense Motive = 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1995915/)[/spoiler]
-
"and if it helps call me Russo"
"And you can call me Kestrel if you want."
[spoiler]Sense Motive: 21 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1996091/)[/spoiler]
-
Max is basically motivated by adrenaline rush, history and the occult… so he doesn’t even bother to hear the discussion about payment. Finding an ancient relic of such importance and ruining the Nazis’ plan are more than enough for him.
So he waits for anyone to stop and he continues
“As I said I know Harrison. He is known to spend time in a small village called "Orina Perro", he's friends with the village chief and his family. The town itself is to the north west of Santa Boca. With any luck we may catch him there, or at the very least find out his whereabouts from the villagers. It would makes sense for him to be hard to contact if he's been trekking through the jungles recently.”
Sense motive: 20
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1996098/
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal-1.png)[/spoiler]
Sense motive: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1996136/)
Bluff: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1996137/)
"all right, so we have a guide. If, and thats a big if, we can find him. As for the money that fine by me, so long as I survive this, you are lucky I'm so curious about this artifact, It's Mayan right? I'm more of an Egyptian and Semitic scholar than bronze age Aztecian. So we have almost no information about it at all?"
Russo listens for an answer the smell of the coffee stings his nose and sea air does little to alleviate it as he leans towards the table, grabbing for one of the maps on the table and shuffling for the equipment list as he studies the map of the bay, anticipating any fallout, he knew people wouldn't be happy with him, he just didn't care, he wanted to get out of this alive, and hopefully make enough money to buy back his plane.
"so say we do run in to these other adventurers, do we shoot first go with the bulge or do we try and outmaneuver them? Can we even expect any back up if this goes queer? Suppose we all get ribbed up or killed? what then?"
[spoiler]
Sense Motive: 18 vs Russo :D (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1995804/)
((yeah I think you sensed his inflated bravado there, so it's pretty obvious to you that he either hasn't killed many people or he really does have a problem with it))
-
((awww sorry guys that was a terrible double post))
-
Wilkes gets up, taking DuMont's abandoned cup of coffee with him. He sips it as he gathers up his paperwork and attache case, then heads towards the door.
"Don't mind me gang. I'm going to check on Charlie." He says. Glancing out the porthole window he adds. "And it looks like we should be arriving in port pretty soon, so if you need to head to your rooms to gather your belongings, I'd advise wrapping this up soon. I've got to talk to the captain before we make landfall, so If I don't find you all here still, I'll meet you on deck."
With that he leaves you.
[[ A Sense Motive result of at least 10 gives you the sense that Wilkes is on the level. ]]
-
Dr. Loder picks up the Dunning letters, looking them over briefly. "Mind if I carry these on the expedition? I'd like a chance to study them further."
-
"Fine with me doc." John says as he gets up and starts walking to his bunk to get all of his stuff together.
[spoiler]Sleight of hand to conceal Knives and Sidearms: Take 10=24[/spoiler]
-
“I will be seeing you guys soon…I guess it is time to get our stuff”
Max stands up and moves towards his room. He checks all his equipment and puts anything he needs in his backpack. He holsters his weapon and tries to hide all his weaponry (pistol, whip, and cleaver) under his jacket. [take 10 sleight of hand: total 13].
Finally he sets time detonators on both Scratch-Built Explosives (demolitions take 10: total 18) and wires together 5 sticks of dynamite [demolitions take 10: total 18 / effectively increasing their damage to 6d6 and the burst radius to 20 feet].
-
Richard tilts his hat back onto his head and slowly stands up. He slings his rifle over his shoulder and meanders to his room, packing his few belongings into pockets and strapping on his machete, making no effort to hide anything. Then again, he isn't that concerned since as far as he is concerned this is just a more interesting safari than usual.
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/Picture1-1.png)[/spoiler]
Russo watched the others leaving the stuffy little room, still sitting dumbly on the couch the map having been snatched off of him by the suited american, he waited till the Richard safari fellow was mostly out of the room and scoffed
"This is madness" he said somewhat disgustedly but still smirking at the nonsense of it all, he shook his head and stood up off the decrepit sofa with a tortured squeal and traipsed out the door after the others to his own musty little cabin.
[spoiler] :sparta [/spoiler]
He wanted to go to the cargo deck to see if his guns had made it through the voyage, but after a small mental tussle decided against it. 'not going to be much use for them here anyway, god only knows why I took em' with me' he thought to himself removing his boxy Browning pistol from it's holster. He checked the slide was working smoothly then threw a magazine into the pistol and chambered a round, making sure to slip the safety on before placing it back into the leather holster and buckling the strap over the top. He threw his gear together picking it up off the little bunk and into his rucksack, then slipped off his jumpsuit, getting changed into something a little more suitable for the climate, a vest-top, shirt and safari trousers, before slipping back into his large brown walking boots. He slipped all his gear into his pack, onto his belt or into the pockets of his trousers, wrapped his scarf round his neck, grabbed his jacket and began lugging his pack out the cabin and up onto the deck.
-
After Max is done he moves to the cargo area…Charles told them that they have been issued various gear for the expedition which is available in there…
-
Having packed all his gear John heads up to meet the rest in the cargo area as well.
-
Richard goes to the deck since he was told he would take posession of his new gear once it was unloaded and Wilkes said he would meet the group on the deck.
-
Hearing the door clatter behind him Russo turned around to see Richard, the HUGE rifle/cannon propped on his back by a thick leather strap, vaguely he wondered what exactly he expected to shoot with that thing. he draped himself over the side of the boat hoping to look relaxed and sociable but coming across more uncomfortable as the metal railing he had all his weight on was both cold and very hard,
"What do you think about all this, mr... Richard was it? you're the big game safari hunter right?"
-
Richard nods. "Aye, I'm Richard. You are Russo if memory serves me correctly. To me this is nothing new. I've served in both wars as a scout and a sniper, and I am the big game safari hunter as well."
-
Max Hawkins and John Kestrel [spoiler]John and Max. Two men who couldn’t look more like opposites of each other both find themselves walking down towards the cargo hold of the freighter. They pass a number of disheveled crewmen going about their work in preparation for docking in port. The ethnic diversity of the party had nothing on the sailors of the ship. Men with skin colors across the spectrum working together for a common purpose. During the time spent traveling on the ship amongst these men, you’ve seen firsthand the honest comradely of the crew.
Then you have men like Hitler who wanted to take that all away. It was madness.
When you reach the cargo hold, you find that there are already people inside; More crewmen speaking to each other in the languages of the Caribbean, and at the ready to unstrap the cargo as soon as the ‘Kingston Queen’ made land.
A large well-built Haitian approaches you. He is wearing a well-loved sailors hat, and a sweaty once-white undershirt.The other men glance your way, but go back to their own conversations.
“Can I hep you with enyting?” He says in heavily accented English. He smells like the couch in the lounge, and the cigar he’s chomping on is smoking like a chimney.[/spoiler]
-
Jon Russo and Richard Jameson
[spoiler]Up on deck where you’ve made an attempt at small talk. There are nine other passengers up on deck as well, standing apart in small groups. Travelers, like you and your current company. Talking amongst themselves in a jumble of ethnic sounds.
The ship starts to lose speed as it prepares to enter port.
Puerto de Santa Boca, still at least a mile away, can be seen. A Spanish colonial-style sprawl, it is dotted with Cieba trees and palms growing in thickets.
The recognizable profile of a German U-Boat is visible in the harbor. Dozens of boats and ships coming and going fill the area surround it. The low hills of mountains are the canvas the town is built across, and it seems like everything is a deep verdant green. Lush and full of plant life.
Richard and Russo you shield your eyes from the morning It is heavily humid, and your clothing starts to stick to your chests. Monkeys are screaming and birds are chirping in a loud cacophony around you.
[[ May I have Spot checks from you gentlemen? ]][/spoiler]
Henry Loder and Eisen Abendroth
[spoiler]The two of you stand in the hall just outside the Lounge. It's painted metal walls echo the footsteps of those men who have just left.
[[ Do you go back to you rooms to gather your belongings?
Do you just go up to the deck to see what's up?
Do you head to the cargo hold for some reason?
Or do you have something else in mind...? ]][/spoiler]
-
Loder goes back up to his room to collect his well-used archaeology kit and pistol, both of which he stuffs into a duffel bag that he slings across his back. He then straps his machete to his thigh and heads up to the deck.
-
[spoiler]
Spot: 33 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1997228/) (20+13)
I WIN! :p
[/spoiler]
-
"We came to check on the progress of unloading our gear. I hope you don't mind." John replies to the large Haitian.
-
Max Hawkins and John Kestrel
[spoiler]"I do not heve a problem as long as you stay clear of my men when the work begins." He motions behind him to the high stacks of wooden cargo crates tied in place by netting. "As you can see, dere is quite a large amount of corgo dis trep. We do not want anyone to get hurt."[/spoiler]
-
"I understand, thanks for the warning. Let me know if I can help with anything." John smiles, before making sure to stay out of anyone's way when the work begins.
-
Max Hawkins and John Kestrel
[spoiler]"You are Emerican? Tell me. Whet brings an Emerican such as yoursef down to dis country?" He asks. "Forgeve me. I em alweys entertained by de different responses. You mey call me Mister Etienne. I em en charge down here." He offers a large calloused hand towards John. [/spoiler]
-
((Damnit, quoted instead of modified, my bad my bad!))
-
As everyone leaves, the stalky German man sighs, smiles at the comment of madness, and with mental agreement decides best to go compose himself.
Back at his room, he doesn't take much care for trying to hide anything; he honestly doesn't need to, and intends to look as he does. His military bag, a soldier's bag packed with all necessary equipment, hides nothing; it's burlap cloth exterior looks obviously military, and both his sidearm and rifle are worn openly, the pistol in a hip-holster and the rifle slung over his right shoulder, naked and gleamingly clean. He has no clothes but fatigues, and they are the fatigues of the German military. They aren't new looking (truthfully, aside from their modifications to fit the Nazi army, they belonged to his father, and are simply WWI fatigues reinforced and kept clean and fit), but it doesn't mater; that garners him respect from anyone of his "office" or below. Before slipping his cap on, he combs back his hair slick and clean-cut, the official look of the righteous German master-race. The whole of it would disgust him, except that he sees nothing wrong with Germany. Just Hitler and his damned Nazi's, villainizing his patriotic spirit in the eyes of the globe. Slipping his knuckles into a belt-strap glasses case, and with nothing to pack or grab, he heads up to deck, a military cap fit neatly onto his head. The sooner they make port, the better, and he welcomes it...
Seeing his new comrades-in-arms, he crosses over the ship to them, dropping his bag on the deck, but for some reason (natural, by the look of it) keeps his rifle slung on his shoulder. Nodding at each in kind, in a respectful tone, he greets them each with a locking glance and an attempted firm hand shake, "Mr. Russo. Mr. Jameson." He notes the rifle Jameson possesses, and merely smiles. "Looks like we're here for the 'same reasons,' if anyone should ask, eh? Excellent to work with the two of you." Unsure what to make of Russo, he chooses not to think on it; time will tell more about his co-workers than words will. And that may come sooner; he taps Richard Jameson, both obviously seeing it. His hand supporting his rifle strap loosens, but remains firm on the strap.
Spot Check: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1997385/)
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal-1.png)[/spoiler]
Taking the hand thrust out for him, replying firm grip for firm grip (noting the man's strength), Russo smiles a little and replies to both at the same time
"Yeah I'm Russo, call me John if you prefer, so you big cannon toting types are gonna be the ones protecting us poor diggers from the mean old Nazi huh?"
he looked between the two, both were a rather formable sight, standing, rifles on shoulders, squinting in the sun as it beat down from the pearly blue sky, a circle of fire in an endless sea.
Russo turn to look ((24)) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1997440/) over his shoulder, used to warm, conditions haling from the Adriatic the sun bothered him little. What he didn't like was the humidity, made him glad he haddn't put on his thick fleece lined jacket, the moisture had made him break into sweat almost immediately, it was strangling and cloying and very unpleasant. still he was sure he could deal with it better than some of his more northern european compatriots which made him smile.
"still what are we going to do about that big ol' U-boat sitting in harbor over there?" he directed attention over to the large metal hulk, basking in the water at the port just visible though still far. He gave a quick glance at the huge expanse of foliage and greenery as well, as is swept up and over mountains seeming to drag the mighty peaks down, clinging to them like an army of ants seeking to bring the behemoths down to consume them down in their nests, he shuddered a little dissipate the heat, he hated bugs, despised the damned things.
-
Dr. Loder wanders up on deck with his nose buried in his journal.
[spoiler]Spot check: 6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1997445/)[/spoiler]
-
Max Hawkins and John Kestrel [spoiler]John and Max.
A large well-built Haitian approaches you. He is wearing a well-loved sailors hat, and a sweaty once-white undershirt.The other men glance your way, but go back to their own conversations.
“Can I hep you with enyting?” He says in heavily accented English. He smells like the couch in the lounge, and the cigar he’s chomping on is smoking like a chimney.[/spoiler]
While John speaks to the Haitian about the progress of unloading their gear, Max cannot resist the smell of the man’s cigar… those cigars are his love…
“Excuse me, my friend, is there any chance you have a spear one of what you are smoking?”
-
Max Hawkins and John Kestrel
[spoiler]Mister Etienne looks in Max's direction and sends a yellowed grin his way. "Ef coures.", he says fishing one out of pants pocket and passing it over to max. He offers one to John as well. "I pecked dese ep in Hevana recently."
The cigar is hand-rolled, and very aromatic. It's an excellent example of Cuba's export.[/spoiler]
-
Meanwhile on deck…
Russo and Richard, as well as Dr. Loder and Abendroth are joined on deck by Mister Wilkes and Monsieur DuMont.
The Frenchman now composed, approaches the mercenary John Russo, offering his hand. He speaks in low tones meant only for Russo’s ears. [[ Listen check DC 15 to hear it, except for Russo, for obvious reasons.]]
[spoiler]“I am so sorry monsieur for my crude outburst of anger earlier. This has been a long trip for me, and I was quite disheartened when I you heard speak of wanting, how you say ‘hazard pay’. I am an Idealist. I shouldn’t impose my morals upon you, it was not right to do. Especially as I would not be willing to go in your place. I wish to you the best of luck.”[/spoiler]
Wilkes steps up among the party. He looks expectant, his hands shoved into his coat pockets. He pulls a silver pocket watch out and checks the time. Its shiny surface gleams brightly in the morning sunlight. In addition to the screaming monkeys and the calling fowl, a chorus of thousands of frogs is heard from within the lush rain forest. Far above your head the ship’s smokestacks leak billows of black coal smoke, steadily into the sky.
“Well, gentlemen, are you ready?” He says to your group. He notices a couple faces missing. “I guess you are not. Have any of you seen Sgt Kestrel and Mr. Hawkins by any chance?”
-
"Thank you, mr. Etienne." John says, savoring the smell of the cigar.
"We've been hired to escort an archeologist into the jungle. He thinks there's something there that might be of interest to his studies, you know how those bookish types are."
[spoiler]Technically not a lie... :P[/spoiler]
After that he lights the cigar and offers to help unload their gear, the sooner it's done, the sooner they can be on their way to start their mission.
-
Max Hawkins and John Kestrel
[spoiler]
"Sir, I must ask you to stop." He says to John. "We must keep everyting tied down until we reach port, etherwise everything could topple down and break. Thenk you, but no thenk you. De shep is only stopping briefly before we errive in de port. Ceptain Barret told me dat dey wes gon' to check de ships hull. We have a little time to kill in de meantime. I recommend seeing Santa Boca as we arrive. 'Tis a beautiful sight to behold." When Mister Etienne speaks he enunciates each syllable slowly and in a baritone voice. It is clear he is man who rarely needs to raise his voice. Though his accent is heavy, is slow even way of speaking makes it easier to understand.[/spoiler]
Kestrel
[spoiler]"Technically not a lie... :P"
[[ Technically you are correct, but as it is your character's intention to mislead him into believing that you are being straightforward, I must ask that you roll a Bluff Check for me please. ;) ]]
[/spoiler]
-
“Thanks a lot friend…here try a cigarette of my own…they are English”
Max smells the Cuban cigar but overcomes his temptation and keeps it for a special occasion…
-
Max Hawkins and John Kestrel
[spoiler]
"Thank you very much." Mister Etienne says graciously, accepting the cigarette from Max.
[/spoiler]
-
Richard gently lays a restraining arm on Eisen's elbow. "He could be harmless, don't provoke him. Nice to see that somebody else around here knows that you must pay attention to your surroundings at all time though. Relaxation is death. As for us being here for the same job, I'm no good in a firefight. My darling here is for hunting." He gently pats the stock of his rifle.
[spoiler]
Yes, I'm going to make more dark broody comments until I die. :p
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
My darling here is for hunting." He gently pats the stock of his rifle.
"I call it Vera." :P
Bluff: 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1997741/)[/spoiler]
"Sorry mr. Etienne, I'll wait 'till we reach the port. If you gentlemen don't mind I'm going to check up on the rest of our group." John says as he gives mr. Etienne a firm handshake and before he starts to walk.
"Thanks again for the cigar!"
-
"Heheh, sorry, been on a boat too long, might be a little too eager, too cautious. No need to worry, though it's comforting having that (indicating the gun) covering. Do you speak German, perchance?" He'd almost WANTED to run into some soldiers to pull off this bluff, but knew it was just a fail-safe. He turned, noting the Frenchman's whispering, but payed it only minimal attention, and continued on.
Turning to the group as a whole, "So, do we want to immediately disperse to find the guide, or do we want to investigate the town first? Just so we get an impression of tasks to accomplish. Is there anything anyone needs from town?" As soon as he'd had to speak out to the group, and in a very obvious way, Eisen had converted to using his German accent when speaking English, and it sounded just thinck enough to be a thick accent without being unable to be understood.
-
Richard shakes his head. "I spent most of my time in Africa, and Germany has no territory down there. I regret that I don't know it, it would have come in useful."
-
"We will speak again mr Etienne" says Max and follows John up to find the rest of the group…
Once he finds them he speaks up loud
“Ok everyone first station Orina Perro..the village Harrison spends most of his time there…It is just north west from here…I will guide you…We should either find him or one of his companions…a tongueless native named Pingo…he will also lead us to him.”
-
Wilkes greets Sgt Kestrel on the deck. "Have you seen what is keeping Mr. Hawkins? Those other passengers are beginning to wonder why we have come to a stop. Before this ship can continue. Captain Barret will need to know if you will be staying on the boat all the way in to port. I have made arrangements for you otherwise if you wish to slip off the ship and enter Santa Boca from the trees." He looks around towards the other people on deck.
"Decide soon, because in a moment a crew member will be coming up to the deck to call all of the passengers to come down to the mess hall so the captain can speak with them. While those prying eyes are below deck you can load up onto a small fishing boat that has pulled up behind the ship even as we speak." He pauses to pull out a somewhat thick, sealed white envelope. Writing is on the front of it in pen. Possibly Wilkes own hand. He hands the white envelope to Sgt. John Kestrel. "Sgt. These are the papers you will need to retrieve your cargo from the Dock Master. Do not lose it!"
"Ah! Mister Hawkins!" he says to the late arrival coming out onto the deck. "I was just telling your team mates about a choice you will need to make!" He quickly explains the situation again for Hawkins sake.
-
"I think I'll accompany the rest of the group to the port. Thank you for the papers." John says as he puts the envelope in a pocket inside his fatigues.
-
Russo pays more attention to the slowly approaching shore and port than to the assembling crowd behind him, getting lost in the blue of the sky and the juxtaposition of the green of the forests with the grey port line of the town, he wished he was up in the sky watching the u-boat from high and spotting out landmarks and trails, but no, down on the boat to be running off into the jungle to find a abstract artifact.
He almost jumped a mile when the Frenchman came and whispered in his ear
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/whathasbeenseen.png)[/spoiler]
"woah! you scared the bejeesus outta' me monsieur, It's ok, no hard feelings, hopefully things will go smoother than I'm expecting and you get to keep your insurance" he said with a slightly morbid smirk, taking the mans hand and squeezing slightly but letting go swiftly
the sound from the jungle was almost deafening even way out here, the boat began to slow, he glanced at the frenchman, to the others
"are we stopping?"
he turnes around to see the american suit passing a large envelope into his namesake's hand,
"anything going on that I should know about?"
"I think I'll accompany the rest of the group to the port. Thank you for the papers."
he watches (the other) John slip the envelope into his fatigues and notes the rest of the group as the assemble,
"are we arriving soon? are we stopping? did i miss something?"
((methinks somebody wasn't making enough listen checks, out interest what became of those spot checks, or are you trying to make us jumpy Jace?))
-
"Nothing special." John smiles.
"I think we should be arriving shortly..." he says as he gazes at the port, still enjoying his cigar.
-
Max will be following the others..
-
"Let me make this a bit more clear since everyone is here." Wilkes says.
"If you wish to, as a group, take a 'side entrance' into Santa Boca, we've arranged for a boat to carry you to the shore where you can make your appearance to town virtually unnoticed." Wilkes explains, pointing towards the rear of the freighter.
DuMont elaborates, "To be honest we aren't sure what to expect once this freighter docks. Nazis may want to inspect everyones papers suddenly. But then again, you might be able to stroll right down the gang plank without anyone giving you a second glance. The lower your profile, the better."
Even as they finish going over the options again, a member of Barret's crew comes out onto the deck and makes an announcement to the passengers that they should come below deck to the Galley where the captain waits to speak to them.
"They are going downstairs for your benefit gentlemen. These people won't see you leave the boat if you choose to leave now. The captain has agreed to do this for us as a favor. He can only buy us so much time. However if you really feel that you should be fine to head into Santa Boca with the rest of these passengers. Then I will trust your judgment and wave the boat off." Wilkes says.
You watch as the passengers enter the doorway to head down to the mess hall. The last one a young bearded Hispanic with long dark hair, glance in your groups direction before he goes inside.
The Kingston Queen drifts as the small fishing boat, now visible to the rest of you as well, pulls up to the side.
[spoiler]There is a small fishing boat up alongside the rear of the freighter. There is a man wearing a white tunic, short red pants, and a straw cowboy hat. His wooden craft plods towards the boat using oars. There is a propeller motor visible but not on. He is looking upwards towards the party. He is apparently unarmed.[/spoiler]
A voice calls up in Spanish. "¿Señor Wilkes? Estoy listo."
"What shall I tell him gentlemen?" Wilkes asks one last time.
-
Dr. Loder mulls the options over in his mind. "If the Nazis are at the port, it may be a better idea to take the fishing boat in, then again, if we are spotted coming in anywhere other than the port, it could arouse suspicions. What do you think, Richard?"
-
Taking initiative, Eisen hoists his backpack, with his only possessions, onto his left shoulder, fixes his cap, and addresses the group. "If any wish to stay behind to lower suspicions by arriving normally, I'll accompany them. I'm wearing a Nazi uniform, remember; they will not suspect one of their own*. My 'official' excuse is that I'm between tours of duty, and deciding to keep up skills and endurance by hunting before heading back to glorious war. I could very easily walk past them, and even if they wish to talk see my papers, and yours, I'll be able to allay any hostility, at least, by claiming you to be part of my hunting party.
Of course, I wouldn't expect anyone to stay. However, that's likely the path I'll be taking, if there are no objections. By the way, do we have any non-suspicious papers to check, aside from my own?" Looking between people, he wonders just how easily he'll be able to pass them off as fellow Germans... maybe as Nazi supporters...
[spoiler=*]Isn't there a bonus if the person being bluffed to has no reason to disbelieve, and the lie is rather plausible? I can't pull up the SRD at the moment, for some reason...
Hell, would any Nazi's even try sense motive checks?[/spoiler]
-
Max has been doing this job for way too long. People glancing at him, was not always good news. The British archaeologist scans the bearded Hispanic stranger with the long hair. He is looking for anything out of the ordinary (behaviour, hidden weaponry, way of walking etc)
Spot: 18
Sense motive: 20! (pure 20)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1998786/
-
Richard shrugs. "Look at me, I'm a Brit on Safari. My presence is not in and of itself suspicious. However, the soldier and the two scientists stand out a little as such, and if the port is being watched they might arouse suspicion."
-
[spoiler] (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal-1.png)[/spoiler]
"we could split up" Russo chips in, finally on the same level as the others
"the less conspicuous of us could go in via this hulk whereas those who look like they don't belong could sip out in the fishing boat, land somewhere else and we could all meet up at our new guide's house within twelve hours. Then with our guide we can assess the situation from there. Also if we do that then mr Eisen here can go cuddle up to the Nazi find out their plan of action and help lead us away from it when we meet up."
-
"That actually doesn't sound like a bad plan, but I do need a way to gain access to my supplies that will be unloaded in the harbor."
-
I am going with the fishing boat Max shrugs
“I suggest Dr Henry and John (Kestrel) should be coming with me. Mr Jameson, Mr Russo and Mr Eisen should have no problem to follow the other passengers in this ship. As a matter of fact the rest of us do not even have to enter Santa Boca and raise any suspicion. The three of you, could take our supplies from the ship and arrange some mules and some Porters to carry our belongings. The three of us should be going straight to Orina Perro, to find our guide. I will mark the village to your map; it is North West from Santa Boca as I said…it will not be a problem for you to find it. We will meet up there. You will get the mules and the Porters we will get Harrison, our guide. Does this plan sound ok?”
-
Dr. Loder listens intently, then pipes in. "I agree with Russo. We should stay in Santa Boca at least until we can get a better idea of conditions in the area. No sense in rushing off only to find a Nazi checkpoint waiting for us down the road."
-
"I'll tell him to expect company then. His name is Esteban, a local from a village near here. He should have no problem getting you to the outskirts of Santa Boca." Wilkes explains.
"By boat he will take you to the shore, We're just far out enough that no one in Santa Boca can see what we're doing, and the ship will shield those in the fishing boat from prying Nazi eyes."
"Those of you who are riding along with Esteban, come over to the railing near the back with me. You will find a rope ladder that will take you down into the fishing boat." He turns and leads the way.
"¡Hey abajo allí! Esteban, usted está consiguiendo a algunos pasajeros. ¡Tome el buen cuidado de ellos! Capitán Berret envía sus gracias." Wilkes calls down to the fisherman. Then he faces those about to climb down the ladder. "Good luck Gentlemen, and Godspeed." He offers to shake hands with each man as he passes.
DuMont stands with the rest of the group watching Wilkes and the others go down towards the rear of the freighter. "Well, monsieurs. It is my understanding that Captain Barret has just instituted a new tradition of serving a toast to his passengers upon a safe arrival in harbour. You're welcome to join me, or you could stay up here. It's your choice." He turns and goes inside to head to the galley for the promise of free alcohol.
-
Dr. Loder moves over to the edge of the boat and looks at the rope ladder. "See you gentlemen in Santa Boca."
He hoists his archaeoly kit onto his back and starts down the ladder.
-
"Good luck people, we will meet again soon" says Max smiling...
The adventurer follows Dr Loder down the ladder
"Good morning Mr Esteban"
-
"So how far is it to the guide's house? And will we all meet up in or near Santa Boca before we travel to the guide's house or are we planning to meet there?" John informs before making a decision.
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/dontmakemedignifythat.png)[/spoiler]
"well both teams have at least one competent guide, unfortunately Max I think was the only one who truly knew where it was but at least we got it down on a map, I'm good with maps, though I'm better at it while in the air, we should be able to find it without problem."
Russo takes in the sea air it's tangy, he smells the dust of the mainland on the wind and the humidity on the air, it's thick with what he fancies is tension.
"so what's our story? If Mr Eisen is between duties, Richard is on safari, am I your guide or something?" he looks back to the others
"awww shit did anybody get a list of what gear those guys needed" he jerks his head to the hand of Max which whips out of sight over the side of the boat as he nods
-
[spoiler=OOC:]Waiting for an IC answer to my 2 questions (see previous post) before John makes up his mind :)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler][[ If you happen to take a peek at the map in Russo's hands, it shows the distance to Orino Perro from Santa Boca as being a guestimated three to four day journey depending on how difficult actual travel turns out to be. This is so you don't have to hinge your decision on another's IC awareness/participation. ]][/spoiler]
[[ Those of you who are staying on this freighter until it docks in Puerta de Santa Boca, please continue to post in this thread.
Those of you who are heading off in the fishing boat. Please begin to post in the NEW Group B Game Thread. ]]
-
[spoiler]Thanks :)[/spoiler]
Taking a look at the map in Russo's hand John says "That's gotta be at least 3 to 4 days to our guide's house, guys. I'm not waiting that long to get my hands on my gear, no offense."
He continues "Will we be meeting outside Santa Boca and travel to our guide's house together? If so, I'll get ashore with Esteban over there and the rest of you planning to skip port. If you guys plan on traveling separately though I could use some help for a nice cover story for the Nazis in case they inform what a U.S. Sergeant is doing here...
-
Richard shrugs. "I know my story, you can figure one out I'm sure Russo."
-
Max replies to John before he gets into the fishing boat.
"Well it is about 3 days journey to Orino Perro...so I guess we should be best meeting outside near Santa Boca before we travel to find the guide"
-
Sgt Kestrel. Dr. Loder, and Max have all three climbed down the rope ladder and out of sight. A moment later you hear a small motor start.
Wilkes approaches the remaining men. "I think I am going to join Charles in that free drink. You can come if you'd like, but you are equally welcome to stay put. The other passengers should be wandering back up here in a few minutes after Captain Barret's toast, or whatever he's doing." He goes inside and heads to the Galley.
The steam engines begin to churn faster and faster. The great freighter lurches forward, and once again it is moving towards its destination. Puerto de Santa Boca.
The Hispanic man with the beard comes back outside. He puts a cigarette in his mouth. Then he checks his pockets as if looking for something. He approaches and says, "¿Usted tiene un palillo del fósforo?". Then he smiles as if realizing something. "You speak English then, correct? Have either of you fellas got a light?"
-
For the first time in a long time, Eisen was caught off guard due to a language barrier. "Unfortunately, I neither smoke nor do I speak... Spanish? It is, isn't it? Anyone have a lighter?
I'll be remaining up here; don't feel like much of a drink with the anticipation. But feel free, I don't mind if you two go." Eisen was a bit distracted. It wouldn't be too difficult for him to elude Nazi's checking him; he was technically a registered soldier without noticeable rank or record of issues. What he was thinking of was how to find a German that could give him the lay of the land, with checkpoints. Best way was to get a little deeper into communicating than he absolutely wanted to... but he had a plan, just as soon as they landed. He just didn't know how he'd get everyones equipment dealt with. So many issues to iron out, and a small portion of time to do so.
-
"It's no problem, senior. I speak 'the English' as well. My mother used to work for the Dutchess of Mierda del Caballo, and she insisted that I grew up learning how to speak a second language." He smiles a winning smile and leans back against the railing. "How about it? Do either of you chaps have a light? I'd like to smoke this." He shows his unlit hand-rolled cigarette to punctuate his request.
"Come on... give me a light and I'll humor you all by guessing why you're going to Santa Boca."
-
Richard stares off towards the land, not paying much attention to the local.
-
Sgt Kestrel. Dr. Loder, and Max have all three climbed down the rope ladder and out of sight. A moment later you hear a small motor start.
Before climbing down to the small fishing boat John approaches Eisen and hands him an envelope.
"Think you can take care of this for me?"
[spoiler]It's the envelope concerning my 'cargo' :)
My future posts will be in the Group B game thread.[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal-1.png)[/spoiler]
"sure, I have a light, you don't have any objections to matches do you?"
Russo approaches the man taking his matches out of his pocket rattling the box to check how many he had left, the box was more or less full
"here," he struck a match which was immediately blown out by the wind "god damn" Russo stuck a second match using his hand as a windbreaker and held it to the man's cigarette.
-
"FanTAStic!" the man says in thanks. "My name is Carlos Garcia. MUCHOS gracias, mi amigo. Is this your first time to Beautiful Puerta de Santa Boca?"
Finally other passengers come back up to the deck. Carlos glances towards them, but stays put at his place along the rail next to Russo. He takes a long drag from his smoke, and exhales in satisfaction.
Steam whistles belt out the impending arrival of the ship. "Looks like it won't be long now." Carlos says, making small talk. "Alright a promise is a promise...
"Safari-hat guy is here because he's heard the legends of the jungle beast 'el Abuelo', and he's here to punch it's ticket.
"Mr. No-Smokes is here because his heart has been recently broken and he has come to Santa Boca to get away from his troubles.
"And you El Signor, have come to Santa Boca because you have heard of how beautiful our women are. Oh! I can't wait to get back home!"
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/bluff.png)[/spoiler]
"HA HA!" Russo bleats out a huge false laugh taking out a cigarette from his pocket putting it in his mouth but not smoking it,
"You Signor have a sharp eye and a sharp wit my friend"
((Bluff check 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2001143/)))
"It is indeed my first time here and you struck the nail firmly on the head, he-" Russo nods at Richard "is indeed after something in that hot steamy jungle of yours over that way" he gestures vaguely with his arm, relaxing on the rail with the Haitian "maybe the famed 'el Abuelo' maybe not. My German friend here, well I don't like to pry, but we are both here to sample the local air so to speak, I however am looking for something a bit more hot and steamy than the jungle HA HA HA!" he doubles in phony laughter once more nudging the Hispanic man in the arm cajolingly in the sort of good humor that can only be shared between men,
he slows his laughter and shuffles the map into his hands again
"tell me friend," he says pointing to Santa Boca on the map and the little pencil mark, still smiling "you know any local short cuts or directions to this place? I hear there is something there worth sampling" he smirks in a dirty sort of way glancing at the local awaiting a response.
-
"Short cut? I can do one better! I know the best guide in town!" He says beaming proudly. "I can introduce you to him if you'd like. He's my brother. He can get you to Orino Perro. No problem!" He changes the subject, "...and if you are going to be in town long, I suggest that you stay at the 'Caribbean Hideaway Inn' it's right next to the 'Ciudad de Perros Tavern'. A lot of sailors stay there, and you'll see why when you get there." He says with a gleam in his eye. He takes another drag on his smoke.
"I can either show you when we get to town, or I can meet you there later. I have some errands I need to run before I even get a chance to go home. It's Market this weekend you know!" He says.
[[ Russo: Success! If he thinks that you are Bluffing, he seems to give no indication. ]]
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal.png)[/spoiler]
"A guide? and your brother no less, Signor! you do us too much kindness, let me just talk to my compatriots"
he pushes off the bar leaving the dark bearded hispanic man to his cigarette and called over Eisen and Richard
"oi! noi possa dipenda su questo uomo?"
-
Carlos calls after you."Amigo! You do not have to decide now. I'm just giving you suggestions. If you are still in town tonight, drop by 'Ciudad de Perros Tavern'. I will by you and your friends a round! I am meeting my brother there for a few cervezas and to watch the fights. My dame will be joining us. I can see if she wants to bring along friends. " He turns and goes towards the other passengers, the he calls back again over his shoulder, "Thanks again for the light! Maybe I'll see you guys later!"
He is greeted back amongst a group of passengers. A set of four. Two women and two men. He shakes hands with the men and gives the women warm hugs. Soon they are talking rapidly in what seems like Spanish, but they are too far to hear. Only snippets of conversation blow in your direction with the breeze every now and again.
Richard stares towards the port. The town of Santa Boca sprawling out across low hills that eventually give up and become mountains.
The town looks haphazard. with paved roads and buildings at odd angles with one another. The majority of roofs appear to be the red clay Spanish shingles. But every so after thatched huts rise up amongst the crumbling colonial style buildings. And... no Swastikas could be seen flying over the town. That was always a good sign.
The streets and paths in the city are filled with travelers. Men, women, and children in bright colors and patterns. Horses, mules, and carts of all sizes and shapes move through the congested streets. You can see the center of town from your height on the ships deck. The Market that Carlos had mentioned. It took up that entire section of town. Shops of every shape and size were set up for business. Tents, stands, blankets, carts... if it could be used as a surface to sell something, it was. Various fruit vendors could be easily seen, but everything else was indistinct. It would be something to check out in person.
The Steam whistle blows again in succession. *TOOOOOOOT! TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!*
The 'Kingston Queen' has just docked. A gangplank is set up between the deck and the dock.
[[ I need everyone to give me a SPOT check please. ]]
-
[spoiler]"Mr. No-Smokes is here because his heart has been recently broken and he has come to Santa Boca to get away from his troubles."[/spoiler]
'Mr. No Smokes? Broken heart?' Eisen thought to himself, chuckling inwardly as it was said. Not quite a broken heart. Maybe for country and honor, maybe, but somehow that's not the impression he was getting. He let Russo talk through this one; he seemed to have found his compatriot's useful characteristic. Smiling to himself, he just takes deep breaths of the cool air, letting his lungs fill with the air, not quite as clean as he'd hoped.
That's when he notices the ship docking. Neatly folding the paper of John's belongings into his fatigues pocket, he turns to make his way to the gangway, seemingly waiting for his fellows.
[spoiler=Spot Check]Spot Check: 25 (natural 20!) upon entering port. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2002258/)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler][[ I'm waiting on Russo to do a Spot then I will continue. ]][/spoiler]
-
The passengers on deck are directed by the crew to form a line, as a long gang plank is raised to the ship's deck. Carlos and his group have entered the line and have begun to move down the gangplank. But progress is slow.
You find yourselves next to Richard towards the back of the line. You are still on the deck of the ship, only five of the passengers besides yourselves remain at the top of the gangplank.
[[ Eisen, feel free to post in the meantime if you wish to add anything after receiving that PM in your mailbox. ]]
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/shouty.png)[/spoiler]
((spot: 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2003917/) dear god that was awful))
Not impressed at all with being ignored Russo cast a quick glance around the deck and over the side before walking over to Eisen and Richard as the moved to get down the gangplank, he looked back to the still smoking man he turned back,
"hey you two! this could be important! this guy-" he jerks a thumb over his shoulder "-says he can get us a guide, I'm not sure If we should trust him, he seems on the level... maybe this ride is just making me paranoid but for all we know he could be an informant"
-
Richards attention seems to be placed elsewhere. In fact, Eisen is looking down towards the dock too. Whatever it is that they have noticed, Russo just doesn't see it. Maybe they are just overcome by the appearance of the Caribbean town.
(http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/9568/santabocaheader.jpg)
"Puerta de Santa Boca"
-
[spoiler]I'd post a spoiler, but the avatar site has some sort of problem for me; the email button does absolutely nothing at all, not even a note that something's happening occurs on my computer. That being said, the reset button works fine... any way I could jack the image that you know of?[/spoiler]
Eisen makes a quick step to get himself between Russo and the soldiers, shooting Russo a hard "shut your mouth!" look as he goes. He doesn't suppose that they'd be terribly proficient with English - after all, not all Germans are - but he'd rather not take the chance to find out whether Russo could get himself killed, even if Eisen and Richard could get out of it. Getting his papers out quickly, despite the pack and rifle, he gives a smile to the men checking papers as he walks toward them. "Hail Hitler. Ich frage mich, ob ich könnte mich mit dir? Wenn Sie fertig sind Überprüfung Papieren, natürlich. Diese zwei..." he indicates towards Richard and Russo, "männer und ich erfordern jagd beratung, über die geographie dieses land; aber darauf werde ich sie um zu sehen, diese papiere." Showing his military papers, he prays they are as friendly as he's trying to be.
-
"shut your mouth!"
[spoiler]crap I hate missing spot checks[/spoiler]
Russo stepped back and stuck his face back at Eisen
"excuse me!? Listen here you german-" he spied the men in nice clean Nazi "-ah cachi!"
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/whathasbeenseen.png)[/spoiler]
Russo ducked his head down quickly, hoping to divert attention away from himself,
((sleight of hand: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2005247/)
he folded his hand around his pistol and quickly stuffed the map into his pocket with a slight crisp of folding paper
-
At the bottom of the gangplank, a group of 4 men dressed in German uniforms are standing with 2 other men, both with darker skin, and wearing (possibly some sort of local police) uniforms. Checking passenger's identification as they step off the plank. The Germans are looking up the gangplank as if they are looking for someone.
"Heil Hitler" responded a humorless German. His hair was cropped short. His eyes were blue and his hair was blonde. There was a certain national resemblance between him and Eisen.
He listens to Eisen as he looks the group over with a discriminating eye. He takes in both Richard and Russo, but could it have been that he lingered just a moment longer on the Italian mercenary?
“Herr Abendroth?” He says aloud as he looks his passport. “Ich bin verwirrter wenig. Ist dieser Ihr Militärurlaub? Angekleidet als Soldat des Reichs……? Was ist Ihr Geschäft hier?”
The three other Germans look at Eisen, awaiting a response, while the other men. The two men, the local constabulary, approach Richard. They look at his papers, then to Russo. He nods, as if satisfied by what he’s seen.
In heavily accented English the constable says “Señores Russo y Jameson? Welcome to beautiful Puerta de Santa Boca! May I ask what business you have here?”
"I am here with my associates to hunt the beasts of this region. It is purely for pleasure." Richard responds.
-
[spoiler=I know, finally.... he always kinda looks like this....]
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j119/FlayCrimsonwind/eisen.jpg?t=1238743625)[/spoiler]
Eisen manages to keep his cool; it's actually relaxing just talking to another soldier from the homeland, though he tries to sound as respectful as possible, since as a soldier, he would be operating within his jurisdiction; rules must be kept. "Ich gegenwärtig zwischen touren des zolls frist von sechs monaten gegen meine performance. Ich habe beschlossen, aufenthalt in der form, sowohl körperlich und geistig, indem sie jagd. Dieser bereich schien idee, besonders nachdem ich kontakt mit herr Jameson. Ich hoffe, das nicht ein thema; ich war nicht früh gewarnt eines militärischen manöver, die ich erschweren könnte. Natürlich hat ihr unternehmen eine art wichtige aufgabe war ich nicht gesagt, und ich natürlich für jeden bereich-beschränkungen auferlegen sie für meinen reisen.
Oh, und bitte, keine sorge über herr Russo. Er ist laut und schändlichen, aber harmlos. Italiener, Sie wissen..." Italians were allied, but... well, they're about as useful as the French as a militant-peoples, and just as boisterous... Eisen was not so against Naziism that he couldn't recognize the obvious stereotypes in the world. I mean, what could be more obnoxious? Americans joining the war? Laughable; it shouldn't even come to that...
-
The Nazi smiles warmly at Herr Abendroth.
"Ja! Sie sagen das wieder! Jene Italiener!" He shakes his head wearing a broad smirk. Yes, he knew those Italians all right.
"Da Sie unten hier unterhalten sollen, lassen Sie mich nicht viel länger auferlegen…, aber ich habe einen Antrag, zu Ihnen zu fragen; Meine CO suchen nach einem notorischen mann. Sein name ist Harrison Avery. Wenn Sie ihn sehen, würden Sie sind zu uns so bald wie möglich berichten?"
He pats Abendroth on the shoulder, and waves the group past.
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/whathasbeenseen.png)[/spoiler]
Russo was sweating bullets, Nazi straight from the port? maybe he should have got in the fishing boat...
he listened to the exchange understanding little save his name and something about Italians, hopefully it was nothing incriminating, he tried but for some reason just couldn't recall just what his second country's stance in the war was. Silently he swore that he would pay more attention to politics once he got out of this.
“Señores Russo y Jameson? Welcome to beautiful Puerta de Santa Boca! May I ask what business you have here?”
"uh, what?" he asked as the constable addressed him, Russo hadn't noticed the guy as he had approached Richard and him
"Here on recreation," he said trying to sound as italian as possible, "with friends, here to sample the local delicacies" he adds with a slightly nervous but boisterous wink
((bluff: [urlhttp://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2006939/]15[/url]))
He watched the extended exchange and breathed out a large sigh as the germans waved them past, leaning towards Eisen he waited until the guards were occupied before whispering "I think you got us out of a very tight spot there, that could have gone very badly"
-
In this area are the docks. They bustle with activity as dockhands and crewmen alike scurry about with moving cargo from the various boats and ships to and from a variety of warehouse-like structures.
Behind you on the ship, a large wooden boom crane is getting in position above the main cargo hold of the Kingston Queen.
There was quite a bit of cargo in the hold, and you are aware that it may take some time for the expeditions gear AS WELL as the personal equipment of Sgt. Kestrel.
That thick envelope, the one with the handwriting on the front, sits in Eisen's pocket. A reminder to try to find the Dock Master.
-
With the nazis out of the way, and potentially useful later, Eisen gets his act together. He's packed, but needs to get Kestrel's belongings out of the way, which might or might not require trucks instead of mules. "First thing's first; let's get this team equipment found, unloaded, and on its way into town. We have a lot to discuss..."
[spoiler]Spot Check: 23 to find Dock Master. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2007041/) ??? Spot or Search??? Back in a bit...[/spoiler]
-
Eisen takes in his surroundings. Looking around he sees what looks like it could be some kind of office.
[[ The description for the Dock Master's office has "opened up" on the game map of Santa Boca. Location #3. Please read the relevant info and decide what to do next. ]]
-
"I'd just as soon get the unloaded goods taken care of quickly. That building..." he points towards the old building he assumes to be an office of some sort, "...looks like the place to start. I'm not going to say you have to come with me, but it might be a better idea. Of course, if you would prefer to find the others and establish a meeting place, that would also be an excellent idea. If you encounter any more soldiers, just act like an Italian or American tourist. They might spit on you, but they'll probably leave you well enough alone as long as they haven't got a reason to be suspicious; not all nazis are well-learned agents." With that, Eisen just starts along at a brisk pace towards the Spanish-looking building close to the dock. He pauses for a bit, remembering that he has to stop working as an individual agent, and while he has every intention of moving to <<Area #3>> He has no interest in abandoning his two partners.
[spoiler]You want it typed out like that, maybe?[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/Picture1-1.png)[/spoiler]
"spit on me?" Russo steps back "well don't you worry about that I'm more than used to being sat on, usually with nice fist sized bullets than gizzard juice though" he adds under his breath
he follows Eisen for a bit dodging around the carts and baskets and deckhands thinking about how to make himself useful, while he didn't want to loose Eisen or Richard (the german was sure useful for those tight spots with other less savory germans, and that rifle of Richard's.... well that rifle...) he was also running what the hispanic man had said through about the inns, he wondered if the man was on the level...
"Eisen" he said, "I just want to go check around town, perhaps meet up with the others, that man said he may have a guide for us, I would prefer it if we knew how far the Nazi had got in their search but I don't speak German" he shrugged "also I have something in the luggage I might need you to pick up for me if I'm not back in an hour, It's a couple of machine guns, wrapped in a cream tarp, used to be bolted to my plane, kinda precious to me for some reason... can't think why"
-
"Right. I suppose I'll be staying here then while Eisen goes inside to handle this." Richard said. "Where are you off to, Russo? Would you like us to try to meet you somewhere if this takes quicker than expected?"
[[ So rather than splitting the party into thirds, we will keep it to two threads of game play. As it stands, Eisen is heading into the the Dock Master's office <location #3>. And Russo will need to declare a target location to head for. If you've been posting in this thread, keep doing so. Once Dr. Loder, Sgt Kestrel, and Max Hawkins are located, they will once again resume posting in this main thread.]]
-
Eisen takes his leave and makes his way towards the building. Dodging five goats (http://www.sheepsheep.com/goat9.jpg) and their owner. They ba-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah angrily at his passage. "¡Lo siento señor!"
The door is wide open. Looking in he sees.
[spoiler]The Office is a really just a benched waiting room with a desk. It is dusty and dry. There is a rusting fan blowing air at a sweating over-weight Guatemalan man. He sits in a wooden chair. Behind him the wall is lined with filing cabinets in various shapes of repair. The room smells of old socks and bananas, oddly.
There is a bulletin board on the wall near the entrance, quite a number of messages in a variety of languages are tacked into place. [[ Spot Check to examine the board. Depending on your roll, I will update this post to include what you’ve noticed. Can be done repeatedly. If YOU would like to leave a note on this board, please post in-character that you do so, and I will add whatever it is to the list on this location's Official Map description. ]]
There is a line of 6 people waiting behind a rope ten feet in front of the clerk’s desk. A man sits in front of the desk speaking to the clerk. There is a man dressed in a Nazi SS uniform sitting on one of the many benches. He’s appears to be reading an issue of TIME magazine. Joseph Stalin is on the cover as Man of the Year.
In total there are 8 NPCs present. [/spoiler]
"Well, how about it?" Richard inquires dryly to Russo.
-
[spoiler]Takes 20 on a spot check to examine the board, Spot: 25 to examine board.[/spoiler]
Eisen ignores the old man, unable to communicate anyways, and stops for a second outside the room. He takes note of the people in the room. SS? There WAS something here very important to Hitler, the greasy lard-bucket traitorous hog. Loyal men to Hitler; if it had been Eisen on his own, he'd have walked outside, torched the building, and shot any who exited, he can stand soldiers of Germany embroiled in the conflict, but not those "loyal" pigs! In any case, it was time to get moving. Taking the envelope out of his pocket, he opens it to examine the contents; looking for anything that might make the SS officer suspicious.
Upon seeing it's content, he steps into the room, curiously examining the board of messages. Once finished, he turns around to give each man inside a good look, and walks to the desk with a polite nod to anyone who cares to look at him. Stepping to the desk, he hands over the list of equipment, the cash, and the note. He has no idea if he's being ripped off, but he doesn't so much care; hopefully Kestrel knew what he was doing.
-
[[ Historically speaking, the SS were in charge of Hitler's archaeological investigations! http://greyfalcon.us/Ahnenerbe.htm
(http://greyfalcon.us/Ahnenerbe.htm) ]]
[spoiler= Eisen & the Envelope]
It's a good thing you checked the envelope.
This is the white envelope that Wilkes handed to Sgt Kestrel on the deck. On it's front it reads in ink: Dockmaster. It is thick, roughly an inch, possibly more.
Inside the envelope you immediately notice that there is a thick wad of cash. Guatemalan currency mostly, but some of the bills are from neighboring British Honduras. You aren't quite sure of the conversion but you think that this is enough to feed a small family for a month.
There is also the claim slip for your party's cargo and a and a handwritten note to the Dockmaster. In English it simply says: Per our previous arrangement. Gracias.
[[ Let me know if you do anything different! Also, I will have to wait to give you the contents of the board. It is located inside and it requires that spot to be made from close inspection. :) ]]
[/spoiler]
MEANWHILE...
Richard gives Russo a hard look. "Well?" He looked around to see if perhaps Russo's attention had been snatched away by the sight of a pretty girl.
-
[spoiler]AH! Thought I might wanna check. Editing the last post, I'll just cut the irrelevant text with the talking to the dock master, and make the spot check inside.[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler] (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal-1.png) [/spoiler]
((spot: 23 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2012030/)))
Russo shields his eyes from the glare of the sun and casts a sharp eye about his surroundings, ignoring the goats (and the smell of said creatures) and looking hard at the town
"I'm still considering, the others should be around the town by now right? I'll try and meet up with them, if I'm not back within an hour or if you get bored" he smirks "come look for me at the Ciudad de Perros tavern"
-
Richard nods. "Alright."
-
[spoiler= Eisen and the Dockmaster.]
The sweaty man looks up at you, as you step up to his desk. Behind you two more people have stepped into line. The men preceding you having finished their business and left. The Nazi with the TIME magazine looks bored. He gives you a brief nod as he catches your eye.
“Senior.” The Guatemalan says in low tones meant only for your ears, “Everything here is in order…” he slips the envelope and private note off the desk, and into a drawer as inconspicuously as he can. He gives the Nazi in with the magazine a look to make sure he hadn’t noticed.
“The cargo will be able to be picked up as soon as it is off the ship… roughly anywhere from an hour to three depending on how deep it was in the hold.
“If you wish, I can make arrangements with some of my men to have your cargo delivered to you somewhere? It is the very least I can do.” He offers.
[/spoiler]
[spoiler= Russo’s spot check.]
From your position, you can just barely make out the start of the Market. The greatest concentration of people are to the streets west of you.
The market bazaar has taken over the main road of Puerta de Santa Boca. Throngs of people weave in and out as they go about buying and selling wares. Along the walls of the buildings, booths have been set up. These booths sell anything ranging from Livestock to Mayan trinkets. The Bazaar area is ripe with human body odor. The humidity makes you feel as if the stench is sticking to you as well.
Many booths and stores carry much of the same thing. The prices listed are the best prices offered amongst the traders. The complete Market list is found under the location description with the Santa Boca map.
[/spoiler]
[spoiler= Richard]
Any thoughts as to what you might like to do? You are near <Location #3> and the docks. At the moment. Eisen has left you and Russo, and has entered the Dock Master’s office <Location #3>. He is currently out of sight.
A shepherd with 5 goats passes by you, muttering in Spanish about the rudeness of the Germans. (This is the same man who Eisen had nearly had a collision with a few posts earlier.)Dock workers busy themselves around you.[/spoiler]
-
Richard gets bored and examines the bulletin board next to the Dock Master's office.
[spoiler]
Spot: 33 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2013391/)
Woo, natural 20, if only they auto-succeeded on skill checks!
[/spoiler]
-
“The cargo will be able to be picked up as soon as it is off the ship… roughly anywhere from an hour to three depending on how deep it was in the hold.
“If you wish, I can make arrangements with some of my men to have your cargo delivered to you somewhere? It is the very least I can do.” He offers.
Thinking for a second, it occurs to Eisen that he has no idea what he was supposed to do after he'd gotten the envelope delivered. He turns; Richard talked to Russo longer; he might know something. "Thank you for hat offer, and I'll gladly accept it. Give me a moment to speak with my companion, so I can give you a decent location. I might have to wait a bit for another companion to tell us where we're staying, but I'm grateful for the help. Back in a moment."
While leaving, he moves over to the board, inspecting it for a second*. Meeting Richard at the door, he asks in a bit of a hushed voice, nothing too conspicuous, "The dock master's willing to get the cargo into town for us. Any place you can think of? We don't know what inn we'll be staying in, so that isn't really an option. Should we just wait for Russo or someone to come find us? Somehow that seems a bit anti-productive... in either case, it'll take anywhere between one to three hours to get the cargo. Russo should be back by then, but... well, we ought to have a second idea, just in case he gets distracted..."
[spoiler=*]Does my previous spot count work, or should I roll a new one?[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
[[ I will be informing you gents on the results of the Bulletin Board, as both Eisen and Richard had good rolls. You don't need to reroll the Spot, if you are just wondering about the results of the Bulletin Board. ]][/spoiler]
-
Richard thinks for a moment. "Russo said that he could be found at the Ciudad de Perros tavern, but I'm not sure if dropping the equipment off at a tavern is a good idea. And I don't feel like waiting around. Any ideas?"
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/Picture1-1.png)[/spoiler]
Russo walks off during the lull in the conversation, passing the decking and onto the land, immediately feeling a little uneasy, he concentrated on what he could see rather than feel and kept his ears peeled for any snippets of conversation while walking into the market street.
((gather information?: 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2014616/)
-
[spoiler= Russo]
Your Gather Information check results in gathering only General Information.
Market Day is on everybody's lips. At least the ones who speak the same language as you ;) -- This town is currently filled three times it's usual population, people from all the local villages and farms have come out to ply their wares and to party, so to speak.
You are on the outskirts of the Market itself at the moment, but you can easily make your way in deeper. (There's STUFF for SALE! :D -- You hear a man shouting from a booth that he has Stuffed Monkeys for sale! how can anyone pass THAT offer up?)
There is a rumor that you keep hearing, but mostly from people with big smiles, that anyone going into the jungle is doomed to be eaten by this "El Abuelo" while they sleep by their camp fires at night, and if it isn't that... lesser spoken about are the cannibal tribes. But people seem to have less of a gleam in their eye when they mention them...
You've also heard a peculiar rumor about the leader of the Nazis; apparently, when the first platoon was preparing to head into the jungle a week earlier, they had bought the entire town's supply of Sugar? More sugar has come in off the boats since then, but already there are rumors circulating that if the second platoon ever decides to leave and join the first group, they would be taking even more sugar with them... Why would they even WANT that much sugar? is the the consensus amongst the locals.
You learn about a place called ‘Kiss of a Saint’ Curiosities. It's owned by a Brit named Reginald, and it sells things that a more discriminating eye might find interesting. It's located at <location #6> is not far from the Market area.
You also learn that Ciudad de Perros Tavern and the Caribbean Hideaway Inn are to the South. Near the shoreline.
[/spoiler]
[spoiler= Eisen & Richard]
Goats for Sale... Cheap Mules for Rent... Crew Members needed for various ships that come and go from port here... private messages from locals trying to get in touch with friends "Hawkins. Don't go too far..." and "Jorge! I'm sorry about your sister! Can I make it up to you?"
The thing that you BOTH take notice of is this:
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN?? written in a number of languages... the German's are advertising that they are looking for a local guide named "Harrison 'Bones' Avery" and if anyone knows of his location, to PLEASE contact them at the "Jag' & Wolf Hotel".
Either he's been gone a while and they can't find him either OR this could be the reason that he wasn't readily available when the League of Nations men tried to contract him for this job.
[[ A couple more are posted on the official Map Descriptor in the Props Post ]]
[/spoiler]
-
Eisen gets a bit of a gleam in his eye; something he already knew, but good that he remembered to communicate it to Richard. He lays a finger on the poster; better to cover his language than to try and speak in muffled tones, though the place was shifty enough he didn't worry much. "Ah, yes, the soldier at the dock mentioned something about this. He asked me to report to him immediately if I saw this person. Looks like they're after him as well. In any case, hold on, I think I have an idea..."
Moving back into the office, Eisen goes up to the dock master, and speaks in a hushed, but not conspicuous tone of voice; a man speaking privately to a business partner. "About moving the goods, I'd like to say again that I'm quite grateful; I've been asked to additionally take a heavy cream colored tarp wrapping up some firearms, belongs to a friend of mine we're to meet in town, if that's possible. In regards to location, maybe a hotel or inn would be best. What hotels are in the area?
Also, I'm to meet the friend at the Ciudad de Perros tavern, and I'd love directions to there from here, if you could."
-
Richard nods and waits.
-
Russo listens intently and heads of in a vague southerly direction, hoping to find the tavern and have a good drink ((and more gather information checks))
he moved through the market shoving away any overly enthusiastic shoppers and casting a curious eye over the multi coloured stuffed monkeys and wondering about what he was hearing. sugar? how unusual, what could they want with all that sugar? could It have something to do with that mythical monster? perhaps he should check out that curiosity shop the old man was on about to see if there's anything interesting lost in his own thoughts Russo continued onwards keeping a sharp eye out for any pretty young local ladies.
((spot: 12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2016188/)))
-
[spoiler=Richard & Eisen]
"Señor, you seek both a hotel AND the 'Ciudad de Perros tavern'? Then there is only one that I would recommend you. There is a place called the 'Caribbean Hideaway Inn' and it is located right next to the tavern that you seek. It is a little... well, you will see. The other inn in town is the 'Jaguar & Wolf' but our other German..." He eyes you cautiously, hoping not to offend "... guests have taken the entire building as their own while they are staying in Santa Boca."
"Your belongings will be unloaded within the next two hours, señor. I will have some men deliver it to the Inn if you wish it." says the Dock Master. He then explains to you how best to arrive at your intended destination.
[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Russo]
You notice a local boy, possibly 12 or 13 years old, wearing a NY Yankees baseball cap. It is worn and dirty, much like the rest of his clothes. He seems to be following you, and he has an expression of curiosity on his face.
When he discovers that you are looking at him. He pretends that he is suddenly VERY interested in a fish stand that he just happened to be passing at the time. He pulls out a folded scrap of paper, looks at it, then stuffs it back into his pocket.[/spoiler]
-
Winding his way through the crowd, Dr. Loder approaches Russo without attracting too much attention. "I see you got off the ship okay, where are the others?"
-
"Excellent; you're a great help. It would be marvelous for you to send those belongings, tarp and all, to the inn. You can't know how much my friends and I thank you." Giving him a last nod, and a handshake, Eisen exits the small building, before nodding to Richard. Picking up his pack - notably, he'd never put down the rifle, or even had to hike it back up on his shoulder - he motions for Richard to follow him. As he starts to walk away, slowly so his companion could catch up, he says without even turning to look at him, "I think we're done here; everything should have been taken care of. Lets go find the others..."
[spoiler]Eisen starts walking into town, hopefully next to Richard as opposed to far ahead of him, as per directions to the tavern.[/spoiler]
-
[[ I'm going to say for ease of progression, and since everyone IS heading to the same location... that Richard and Eisen will have caught up to Russo...
But they're not the only ones! Dr. Loder, Max, and Sgt. Kestrel have just come up on Russo as well! (All of you are in the sprawling area known as the market, and are heading towards the same hotel.)
You may have a little catching up to do as far as relevant information to share... ]]
Traveling with Kestrel, Max, and Loder are two Guatemalan men, both with matching straw cowboy hats and red trousers. The shorter of the two is leading a horse (loaded up with Group B's personal gear).
Russo, had been looking into the crowd just before Loder came up with his greeting...
-
Richard nods at his erstwhile companions.
-
John greets his companions as well, glad to see they appear to have made it to Santa Boca without any trouble as well.
-
The boy approaches the now larger group. He has a smile on his face, as if he has made up his mind about something.
¡Hola! ¡Buena dias, señores!" He says cheerfully. "I have a message to deliver to you. There is... someone who wishes to see you. Come with me, por favor." He has an urgent expression on his face.
-
Dr. Loder looks at the boy. "¿Adónde vamos?"
-
"You'll see señore."
The kid seems a bit impatient. He starts to head to the north... he stops about twenty feet away before he turns to look at the group. He waves his hand, "Come ON!"
-
Richard shrugs and follows, wary of danger.
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/Picture1-1.png)[/spoiler]
Russo greeted his companions reasonably heartily with a "Oh there you are, hope the boat journey wasn't too rough, glad to have you back Doc, it was smooth sailing for us" he nods, caught up with greeting he momentarily forgets about the trailing boy as he approaches them
The boy approaches the now larger group. He has a smile on his face, as if he has made up his mind about something.
¡Hola! ¡Buena dias, señores!" He says cheerfully. "I have a message to deliver to you. There is... someone who wishes to see you. Come with me, por favor." He has an urgent expression on his face.
"whoh kid, slow down, who wants see us again?" he puts a hand on the doctor's chest as he goes to follow and watches the boy run off "patience doc, do you know where he's taking us?" not quite sure of what to make and more than a little paranoid Russo looks about quickly rubbernecking around,
((sense motive: 12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2017958/) Spot: 14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2017961/)))
-
Only just getting to the group through the crowd of people, Eisen watches the boys leading actions, then as he speaks to the doctor slowly watches behind them, and all around while thinking. On the one hand, it could be a trap, but noone should have seen them enter without dismissing them. Then again, the dock officer had given Russo a strange look, the boy went straight to Russo, and the SS made good use of the innocent children and young girls of any locality they needed to keep eyes on. Then again, they were supposed to meet with a man being hunted by SS, so the boy might actually make some sense.
Then again, this was mostly what Eisen was hired for; espionage and anti-nazi operations. Knowing he had a loaded rifle and a handgun next to his trusty knuckles, he wasn't incredibly worried. The child didn't matter, fist or a bullet could put that traitor down; Russo had the right idea though, and Eisen noted the hurried suspicious glances of his partner as he took his own slower look around, noting the crowd, but also windows, alleys, and rooftops. The doctor could deal with the child.
[spoiler]Takes ten on both, slowly taking his time contemplating and being certain not to miss anything.
Spot: 15 vs market surroundings
Sense Motive: 18 vs child for trust[/spoiler]
-
The boys eyes widen when they fall across Eisen, dressed in his German fatigues. He looks startled for a moment, then he ducks into an alley about 20 feet from you, out of sight.
Around you the Market's bazaar atmosphere of commerce and haggling continues unabated. No shots ring out, no unseen assailants lurking. A fish monger shouts loudly about his fresh merchandise. Next to him an old woman with a wrinkled face sells colorful shawls like the one she herself is wearing over her hunched form. She gives a toothless grin, waving to passers-by
That kid could be running away, and with him your chance to find out who sent him... or he could be hiding just around the corner, perhaps waiting in ambush?
(http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/2318/santabocans.jpg)
-
'Shit. Of course the uniform had to be inconvenient at some point.' "I don't think we have much to worry about from the kid. Russo, he was coming up to you; might be a good idea to go with someone... less German, and explain things. He probably wont outrun you.
If he's connected to the contact, whom by the way is being hunted by the SS, we're going to need him. I don't want to be looking for a man who doesn't want to be found, when we could be getting a faster start." Then remembering, he approaches Kestrel, "The dock master is having your gear sent to the Caribbean Hideaway Inn, which he thinks is a better hotel to be staying at. The other option has been primarily rented out by the German armed forces... so we should be alright. It should be there in two hours or so. Oh, and it might have a tarp full of machine guns as well, if Russo's belongings get shipped as well like I asked."
[spoiler]((Oh, yeah, hate me cause I look like a nazi! :P ))[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal-1.png)[/spoiler]
Glancing down to see if the kid was still there he nods to Eisen "Ok we'll give it a shot, I'm not good with kids though" slowly he moves past the group, still keeping his eyes out for any sign of german activity (other than Eisen of course), he moves past the old woman giving her a curt nod and smiling but quickly flicking his eyes back to the kid's hiding place,
"You guys sit tight, I'll see what he wants" moving to the alleyway he leans forward past the grubby corner looking for the boy
"Hey boy," he says trying to sound friendly but mostly failing "you still here?"
((handle animal?? lol :p))
-
Greeting Eisen, John replies "Thanks for taking care of that, I appreciate it. We had decided on the Caribbean Hideaway Inn as well, seeing as the Jag' & Wolf is being commandeered by the SS."
He then eyes his surroundings looking for anything suspicious.
[spoiler]Spot: 26 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2018808/)[/spoiler]
Content to see there seems to be nothing suspicious going on he waits for Russo to catch up with the boy to find out what this is all about.
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal-1.png)[/spoiler]
Glancing down to see if the kid was still there he nods to Eisen "Ok we'll give it a shot, I'm not good with kids though" slowly he moves past the group, still keeping his eyes out for any sign of german activity (other than Eisen of course), he moves past the old woman giving her a curt nod and smiling but quickly flicking his eyes back to the kid's hiding place,
"You guys sit tight, I'll see what he wants" moving to the alleyway he leans forward past the grubby corner looking for the boy
"Hey boy," he says trying to sound friendly but mostly failing "you still here?"
Peeking his head out of the shadows of an alley doorway, Russo can see the brim of the boy's dusty blue hat.
"Shhhh! I'm not supposed to let the Germans catch me, or else we're ALL in BIG trouble." The boy says in hushed tones. "... I'm not allowed to say more." he pauses for a moment before asking, "Is that Nazi gone yet? The one that was following you guys?"
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal-1.png)[/spoiler]
Russo smirks a little at the kid hoping to put him at ease, "shhh, you can't tell anybody, but that grumpy looking german man over there" Russo points to Eisen "well he's actually on our side, he may look mean but he's really a good guy, promise" he straightens up
"so what's your name kid? who's told ya to find me?"
-
The boy looks out over at the German, and sees that he's standing amongst the group. To Russo he says, "I told you that I can't say. It's not safe to say. Just follow me and I'll take you to him." He says exiting the shadows. "I just know that he's waiting for you and your amigos. Now are you guys coming or aren't you? Ask all the questions you want when you see him."
-
Dr. Loder observes silently throughout the discussion and finally shrugs his shoulders. "I don't see why anyone would go to the trouble to set up an elaborate trap like this when nobody knows who we are or why we're here."
With that he turns and follows the kid.
-
"I guess we'll see how this plays out..." and with that John follows the Doctor, one hand on his hip just in case.
-
Richard follows. He seems to be perfectly at ease but he is constantly on the lookout for danger.
-
The boy nods his head at those who stepped up to go with him, acknowledging that the others would most likely follow as well.
With the streets congested like a sick toddler, the boys leads you north through alleys, across streets, through some family's backyard-- (their mongrel dog yaps furiously at your passing), crossing a downed wooden fence and through a dense grove of cieba trees. Along your journey you note passing by the sign for the Fortune Teller <location 7> Your final destination ends up on one of the quieter streets in the north. <location #8>
The neighborhood looks largely residential, but the property here is in much more disrepair than the rest of the town. Trees and weeds grow up at well through the yards of the nearby homes.
The boy doesn't seem to bat an eye though. He could have been strolling down the yellow brick road with Judy Garland and the Scarecrow. He'd been running ahead, then slowing down to keep pace with the group. He leads you all to a run-down former church.
The windows were of stained glass. Ornate but horribly grimy from neglect. Old rags and crumpled newspapers plug holes where chunks of colored glass had gone missing.
"This way." The boy says, before disappearing through the open double doors. Hanging above the door hangs a wooden sign reads:
El Púlpito ~ The Pulpit
From inside the smells of beer, tobacco smoke, and old sweat waft outwards. Interestingly, the Lounge on the Freighter had smelled worse somehow. In addition to the smell, the mournful music of a mariachi's guitar came out of the poorly lit bar's interior.
-
Standing off to the side next to his brother and the pack-horse, Paco mutters in spanish. "Permaneceremos afuera."
-
"Well, I guess we'd better go find out who wants to see us." John says as he strolls towards the entrance of El Pulpito.
-
John follows the others
“Just stay sharp anyone, there is always the possibility of a trap. And someone should be staying out of the church to alert us in case something strange happens”
-
Dr. Loder looks after Max and John. "Paco y Esteban, espere afuera y adviértanos si están viniendo los nazis."
Releasing the snap on his holster, Dr. Loder enters the darkened doorway.
-
"Usted no necesita decirnos dos veces, señor." Paco says, nodding to his brother.
The forerunners of the group take those first few steps into the double wide open doorway. The heavy doors of the former church thrown back to allow a breeze to enter.
Your eyes all take a couple of moments to adjust from the noontime glare of the outside sun, to this dismal interior of the cantina. The smell of man, infused with beer, and something vaguely metallic hung in the air.
Standing in the vestibule, you are flanked by pews pushed up along the entrance's sides. Inside you see a long bar with a rounded edge running up through the center of the joint. A lone barman leans against the bar <H-11>, giving you a long bored look over his mustache. He doesn't greet you.
The walls are stone, as are the church's original pillars running up either side. However now they serve a less grand purpose. New walls of brick and mortar have been constructed between the pillars and the outside wall, creating individual booths. Each booth contains a round wooden table and at least two pews for patrons to sit in. There are lone tables and chairs added throughout the bar to accommodate for larger crowds... but that doesn't seem to be the issue today. Including the mariachi <D-13> and the bored bartender, the number of people in the place could be counted on one hand. Two patrons sit across from each other <M-12, M-14>.
You recognize the boy, sitting in a dark booth in the right rear of the room <E-6> talking with someone else who's in the booth with him... but who is just out of sight. The kid waves you over.
[spoiler=Pulpit Cantina Map](http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4269/pulpitcantina.jpg)[/spoiler]
-
Richard walks into the bar and over to the booth that the boy is in, keeping his slight amusement at what this church has become to himself.
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/pervy.png)[/spoiler]
Russo however is not so restrained
"now this is my kind of church!" he snickers amusedly, casting a glance around the darkened bar the dust irritating his eyes, the smell of the place seemed to put him at ease and at the same time makes him feel restless, he was ready for some action and damn the consequence
"wonder how much it costs for a drink around here?" he nudges Kestrel grinning stupidly and scratching his mustache "cheep do you reckon? or do you think they dilute the drinks with holy water?" he snickers some more, loosens his boxy browning, walks ahead of the others, drunk on his own bravado and flops into the box with the unknown man shoving the boy gently but firmly across the pew
((adopting a Han Solo sorta stance))
"Ok" he says getting himself comfortable "so why do you want us, and how do you know we were going to be here?"
((spot:9 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2021932/)
-
Somewhat surprised by the sudden increase in Russo´s bravado John calmly follows his traveling companion while keeping an eye on his surroundings.
[spoiler]Spot: 28 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2022276/)[/spoiler]
-
The man sitting in the shadows across the table from Russo smirks.
"Scram Kid-- Go meet with Pingo and tell that lanky bastard to get ready. We'll meet you two outside the town once things are squared away here. I've got some business to attend to in the meantime." The man said. Max immediately recognized the voice.
"No problemo. Pingo will be glad to get moving!" The Kid gets up from the pew, jogs out of the bar through the front door, and was gone.
The man wore a dark fedora low on his head, his white shirt was unbuttoned halfway, showing some sort of claw tied to a small leather pouch hanging from a leather cord from his neck. Over his shirt he wore an open vest.
He speaks again. This time directly to Max Hawkins. “I see you’re still wearing my hat you stole.”
He chuckles. “You're lucky that I found out about your little group Max. I had JUST sneaked into town to see a friend of mine about something, and he tells me that he had been in contact with some guy named Wilkes who said the League of Nations wanted to hire me again-- except that this time I wouldn’t be leading a bunch of Diplomats on a guided tour.
"To be quite honest Max, if they hadn’t told me that you had signed up, I wouldn’t be here-- I've got Nazis on my back-- And even though you stole my hat, I still owe you my life. You bastard."
To the rest of you he says, "Oh. I'm sorry, let me introduce myself, I'm Harrison 'Bones' Avery-- your Guide.”
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/justno.png)[/spoiler]
"Harrison Aver- Well I think we found our guide swift enough, I'm assuming you know him then" says Russo exasperated and a little disappointed, indicating the man in the fedora
"thats swell one big reunion, good god! why did I sign up for this, Barkeep!" Russo shouted off to the side "I need something, ANYTHING strong can you handle that?" he looked down and carried on muttering to himself about god forsaken jungles, ancient treasures the name of everybody in the group cropped up at least once or twice
-
The bartender removes his hands from below the bar, and goes to grab a bottle from the shelf behind him and sets it down behind the bar. He takes an old fashioned bar glass, and adds a red liquid to it. Then a pulpy yellow substance. He take the bottle from behind the bar and pours a clear liquid liberally into the glass. At last he squeezes a lime in his fist, crushing it enough that its juice runs down into the glass.
He shoves the glass in front of you and smiles. "Goce." Wiping his hands on a clean-ish rag, he continues to watch the group near Harrison's booth.
-
((I'm gonna have to take a constitution check just to see if I don't die when I drink that arn't I?"))
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/dontmakemedignifythat.png)[/spoiler]
Eyeing the drink Russo picks it up gingerly and sniffs it, wondering what the yellow stuff was, the liquid inside the drink swirled and Russo vaguely wondered if he shouldn't give it to one of the others to see if they died or not. he flipped a couple of coins from his pocket in the vague direction of the barkeeper keeping an eye on the drink.
((dex to be clever with coins? or sleight of hand?: 22 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2023421/)))
"cheers," he said a little nervously and tossed the thing back as conversation started up in the room once more
-
[spoiler]
((I'm gonna have to take a constitution check just to see if I don't die when I drink that arn't I?"))
You will need a Fortitude check to withstand the strength of the drink. You shouldn't worry about death at this time. That's after plenty of drinks. :p
[/spoiler]
-
Eisen had barely taken a step inside the building, but had listened to everything being said while keeping one eye out the window watching the way they had come*.
((More to come in a bit, after the check))
--Edit-- Fair enough! :p
Eisen, for the first time since he got on the damn boat, relaxes for a second. Surprised noone else had been unsettled by his presence as a seemingly nazi soldier, Eisen goes over to the rest of the group centered around their guide. He nudges Kestrel and makes a motion of a cigarette, questioningly, and while waiting for that response turns to Avery. "So, should we call you Bones then? Eisen Abendroth, you may call me Eisen. I know you are currently a fugitive, but was there a specific reason for this place, at this time, to call us here? Obviously you are familiar with our need for you...?"
[spoiler=*]Just keeping an eye on the road. Spot: 15, taking ten, eyes on the road outside. [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler=the windows]
It is nearly impossible to look outside through the grimy stained glass windows. But golly, they sure are pretty!
[/spoiler]
-
John smiles and gets out a pack of sigarets and offers Eisen one. After that he turns to the others to see if they're interested.
"So...'Bones'...is there anything that needs to be taken care of before we can leave? We still need to pick up some of our belongings at the Jag' & Wolf, but apart from that, I think we're good to go."
He then gives a light to anyone who was feeling like a smoke before lighting his own cigarette.
-
Dr. Loder pulls up a stool at the bar next to Russo and pulls out what little Guatemalan currency he has. "Un mojito, por favor."
-
“I see you’re still wearing my hat you stole.”
He chuckles. “You're lucky that I found out about your little group Max. I had JUST sneaked into town to see a friend of mine about something, and he tells me that he had been in contact with some guy named Wilkes who said the League of Nations wanted to hire me again-- except that this time I wouldn’t be leading a bunch of Diplomats on a guided tour.
"To be quite honest Max, if they hadn’t told me that you had signed up, I wouldn’t be here-- I've got Nazis on my back-- And even though you stole my hat, I still owe you my life. You bastard."
Max is really glad to have found Harrison so quickly…
The adventurer smiles
“You Son of a bitch! You are still alive I see…nice hat you are wearing there Bones…”
“Hey..be careful what you are saying..these men have just met me…I don’t want them to get the wrong impression…Remember? You lost that hat from me in our little game…I didn’t stole it..”
At that point Max sits down and speaks quietly
“You were informed well …we need you guiding skills…but first tell me why are those Nazis chasing you?”
-
[spoiler=Russo]In the drink you recognize the flavors of cranberry, lime, and orange juices mixed with a heavy dose of tequila. A Fortitude Save please-- Target DC 14, or tie on a nice buzz.[/spoiler]
“You Son of a bitch! You are still alive I see…nice hat you are wearing there Bones…”
“Hey..be careful what you are saying..these men have just met me…I don’t want them to get the wrong impression…Remember? You lost that hat from me in our little game…I didn’t stole it..”
At that point Max sits down and speaks quietly
“You were informed well …we need you guiding skills…but first tell me why are those Nazis chasing you?”
“Yeah, well this hat isn’t as nice as my old hat-- but you’re right, I DID lose it to you, but to be fair you tricked me into putting it on the line!” He gives Max a shake of his head. “No matter. I got myself another hat just like it, except this one isn’t all greasy after being on your head. Heh.” He takes a swig of his drink, a amber-colored liquid.
“Yeah, the Nazis have been looking for me. It seems that they misrepresented themselves when they hired me for my services. We met in Orino Perro at ’the Goat’, you know the place Max. I didn’t know at the time that they were Nazis, but something about them stunk worse than week-old fish. It was these two guys looking to lead an archeology expedition up river and they had heard that I was the go-to guy when it came to Albert Dunning lore. They spoke to me in Spanish, but they had German accents. However they shoved a bag full of cash across the table, and my eyes lit up like The Times Square. I took the money, I took the job. Then I had the Kid follow them, and when it turned out they were Nazis, I did my little ‘Houdini Act’ and stiffed them. They been gunning for me ever since. Good news for you and your crew is I’m willing to use some of the loot to help you guys out. Just because I hate the Nazis and I think it’d be funny.”
"So...'Bones'...is there anything that needs to be taken care of before we can leave? We still need to pick up some of our belongings at the [hotel], but apart from that, I think we're good to go."
“It’s funny you should mention that. I do have a couple of favors to ask.
“I met you guys here, because Padre the barkeep is like a beloved old dirty Mexican uncle to me and I know that I can avoid the Nazis at this end of town. We’re also quite close to the North road from here, so we can get the hell out of Dodge in no time, but before we can do that, I need you guys to visit 2 of my friends in town and pick up a package each from both of them.
“First I need you to see a man named Reggie. He owns the curio shop in town.” He pauses a moment to wet his lips with his drink once again.
“Yeah, Reggie and I go way back. Along the way it turned out that we had a mutual interest in this dead explorer named Albert Dunning and a supposed lost city. Give him this letter and tell him that he’s fat.” Bones passes a sealed envelope across the tabletop.
“He won’t like it, but he never does. He’s supposed to give you a package that I’m going to need-- Be sure to tell him that everything better be there because I ain’t going to want to have to come back for anything Reggie ‘forgot’-- Oh, and don’t let him talk you into buying any of the maps he’s got in the back. They’re all phony baloney. Beyond that he’s trustworthy. I mean, he wouldn’t sell us out to the Nazis.”
“Then, I need you to swing past the fortune teller’s as well and speak to a Haitian dame named ‘Madame Dessalines’. Tell her that I sent you, and give her this parcel.” He sets a 4”x 4” box on the table next to Reggie’s letter. The box is wrapped in brown paper and tied shut with a cord. “In exchange she should give you one for me. She’s a nice lady at heart, she’s just a little creepy. You can trust her though. She knows when to button her lip and she’s no fan of the Nazis either.”
He nudges Kestrel and makes a motion of a cigarette, questioningly, and while waiting for that response turns to Avery. "So, should we call you Bones then? Eisen Abendroth, you may call me Eisen.
“And yeah Eisen, go ahead and call me ‘Bones’ if you like. I’m real informal since I left the States a few years back. I’m sure I’ll learn all your names in time. Oh, and one last thing, be sure to bring your all of your gear, I’d like to spend as little time as possible in this place.
"Meet back here when you are through and we'll get going.
“I’ve got arrangements already in Orino Perro. I’m real close to the chief and his family. He and his people owe me a few favors, you could say. We’ll be able to recruit all the porters we need. I can negotiate a fair price for you as well." He give a winning smile.
"Once we reach Orino Perro we can pick up the ‘Halcón’ and take her as far up river as we need to go.”
Dr. Loder pulls up a stool at the bar next to Russo and pulls out what little Guatemalan currency he has. "Un mojito, por favor."
“No tenemos hoja de la menta, señor.” Padre says in a gruff voice and a shrug. "¿Cómo hago para usted qué hice para este otro gringo?"
-
"If we want to save time, we could split up. Me and Eisen can take care of our equipment, and the rest of you can take care of Bones' errands. Assuming that's okay with the rest of you guys ofcourse." John says, trying not to talk too loud in case anyone is trying to eavesdrop on them.
He then beckons towards Dr. Loder to fill him in on everthing.
-
“No tenemos hoja de la menta, señor.” Padre says in a gruff voice and a shrug. "¿Cómo hago para usted qué hice para este otro gringo?"
Looking at Russo's drink, Loder shrugs. "Bueno."
After accepting the drink from the barkeep, Henry moves over to the booth to see what all the hubbub is about.
[spoiler]Fort Save = 21 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2023915/)[/spoiler]
-
Richard nods. "Fine, lets get this taken care of." He picks up the package for the fortune teller and turns to leave.
-
"How 'bout the rest of you guys? You okay with this?"
-
"Either way I'm needed, I can go. I'm the guy who ordered the equipment, so the nazi's wont suspect me picking up a load of stuff; I think I made a decent impression on one as well. I'm ready to go, and I agree, we shouldn't spend any more time in the town than we absolutely have to." Taking a huge drag on the cigarette, holding it in, then slowly breathing it out, he props it in his lips and speaks without it falling out. With that, he moves towards the door, looking out and waiting for John to leave.
-
John quickly follows Eisen, appreciating the German's professional attitude, not waisting any time.
While he walks out, he says to his other travelling companions:
"See you guys here in a couple of hours?"
-
Richard heads off towards the fortune teller's.
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/sickasadog.png)[/spoiler]
Russo pulls deeply on his drink, he spits it out immediatly, it does not suit his finely attuned itallian palate at all "great pilots of the black! what the hell it this!?" he wipes his mouth and takes another sip mainly because he paid for it and winces powerfully
((Fort=20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2024171/)))
".....I've had worse" he mutters, "so we all go off to the north road (after we finish our tasks) and wait for you guys with the baggage? hold on that guy on the boat said he could get us mules and a guide- not that we need a guide but....
-
[[ Eisen and Kestrel will be posting again in the B thread (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=4012.msg134681#msg134681) until you all meet up again. The rest of you, keep posting in this thread, and decide what needs to be decided, and I will be back!
[spoiler]Got ninja'd by Jacemachine :) Just waiting for Jolt's answer and then I'll continue my posts in the B thread :)[/spoiler]
Heh heh heh, oops!]]
-
"Yeah, mules or horses might come in handy. Doc, think you can come with us? We could use the help of Paco and Esteban and their horse, but neither me nor Eisen speak Spanish." John says just before he is about to leave the inn.
[spoiler]Got ninja'd by Jacemachine :) Just waiting for Jolt's answer and then I'll continue my posts in the B thread :)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler=Drink Fort Result]Russo takes the drink known as a "Mexican Madras" like a man. ;). Easily passing the Fort save to withstand it's intoxicating nature. :clap So does Dr. Loder for that matter. Hurray for drinking![/spoiler]
-
Dr. Loder nods to John and downs the rest of his drink, depositing the empty glass back onto the bar with a few pesos. "Eso era bueno, gracias."
Loder leaves the bar and catches up to the others just outside.
-
[[ Nanshork has posted that Richard is ready-- And Loder, Esien, and Sgt Kestrel have departed to collect the group's gear. What's going on with the rest of you? ]]
"Well, it seems that your gear is being looked after for you. Now, don't forget this envelope for Reggie. You need to give him this, and tell him that he is fat, otherwise he won't believe I sent you." Harrison takes another healthy swing from his amber-colored drink, while waving the envelope around in the air. "After all that is done, you guys meet me back here so we can get going together, Right?" He checks his watch. " It is just about noon. Hurry it up so we can start looking for this lost city the Nazis are after, alright? We've got between two to three days travel before we get to Orino Perro..."
-
"Right." Russo says grabbing the envelope up in his hand, then stuffing it into his pocket. "So we're meeting you here before we all leave... this is the plan?"
'Bones' nods, his brim selling the gesture since his face is hidden once again in shadow. Back-lighting him is the noonday sun shining through an ornate stained glass mosaic.
Russo goes to join Richard by the door. "Are you ready? Which place do we hit first? The Palm Reader lady or the Curio Shop fatty?" Then when Russo realized that Max wasn't right behind them... "I know that the two of you probably have a lot of catching up to do Max, so if you want to stay that's up to you. "I have the envelope, and Richard has grabbed the package." [[;)]]
-
At the inflection that Russo put on grabbing the package, Richard just turns and looks at him. He then turns around, heading for the fortune teller. "We're going to see the fortune teller first. Don't say anything insulting."
-
Located southward and down a series of short alleys, a simple sign proclaims: Les fortunes~ lecture de Paume. A painted hand adorns the door. It's unlocked and hanging ajar.
[spoiler=Look Inside]
Inside there is a strong smell of spoiled fruit and meat over-layed with a heavy scent of incense. It is nearly enough to make a man gag. [[ Fort Save 13 not to gag. ]]. The smoke makes your eyes water.
The room is draped from ceiling to floor with tapestries in a variety of colors and geometric designs. Many include woven figures playing musical instruments. A number of shelves contain innumerable occult items. A series of shrunken heads run across a shelf near the ceiling.
A striking young black woman sits on a large black pillow with her eyes rolled so far back into her head; all you see are her whites. I little bit of drool drips from the corner of her lips. She is dressed in traditional Haitian clothes. Her hair is done back in thick dreads, and tied with a yellow handkerchief. The woman makes no motion to acknowledge you.
[/spoiler]
A phonograph plays softly from the corner of the room; a slow jazz tune sounding tinny from the speaker cone. A female vocalist sings the song in French.
-
Richard ignores the smoke, having other things on his mind. He is reminded of Vodun practitioners in Africa and so respectfully sits cross-legged on the ground and waits for her trance to end. For the first time since Russo saw him Richard removes his rifle and places it on the ground with the barrel pointing away from the woman to be non-threatening.
[spoiler]
Fort save: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2028958/)
Jace, you might see Richard actually say more than a couple of lines in the next few posts of mine. :p
[/spoiler]
-
Russo waves his hand at the incense smoke around his head. He watches as Richard places his rifle to the side after sitting down. Then... nothing.
From the corner the tune played on its woeful melody. Russo cleared his throat. Then again slightly louder.
The woman's trance continued through the rest of the first song, and through the second. As the needle reached the end of the record, her eyelids began to flutter.
"Me ask ou, shut aff dak singing masheen bey?” She says, asking Russo who was still standing. It took Russo a moment to understand her Haitian-Creole accent, but when he did he went to the corner, and lifted the needle and arm off to the side. Then he flipped the switch and the record slowly ceased its revolutions.
She brings a wooden box around, opens it and withdraws a long-stemmed bone pipe. From a small leather pouch she places a gob of green matter into the bowl. “Now. whak me can do for ou?” she asks Richard who sits in front of her.
She’s a striking woman of black Haitian decent. Her eyes, now focused upon you are a bright green. With a long match the length of your hand, she lights the pipe and puffs thoughtfully.
-
Ignoring Russo, Richard sits there patiently until the woman comes out of her trance. He obviously has had experience with people of her type before.
When asked why he is here, Richard pulls out the package and hands it to her. "This is from Harrison." His normally brusque manner seems to have disappeared.
-
*koff* *koff* Russo tries to hide his coughing behind his hand. He openly leered at her cleavage. "Sorry. I'm just going to get myself in trouble in here... I need to get a breath of fresh air. I'll be just outside." Russo dips out of the doorway, and out of sight. Outside he could be heard coughing heartily.
"So mon ami, ou es Bone's go-get bey?" She says to Richard, accepting the package. She blows rings of smoke into the air. It infuses with the already thick incense smells. "Dis meen uo es here to take de Bones him his parcel?
"Since ou know Bones, how 'bouts me give ou a readeng? Uo may be needing et!" She reaches forward with her hand gesturing to Richard to place his own hand in hers. "Afta me give ou de parcal."
-
Richard continues to ignore Russo.
"I am not Bone's anything, he needs his parcel before we can leave and he can't be seen walking around right now so I volunteered to take care of it." He chuckles softly. "Furthermore, I'm old enough to be your father so I'm not any kind of boy."
Richard places his hand in hers. "Yes, give me a reading. And a real reading, not what you might give to simple minded tourists."
-
She cackles at your comment. Her hands darts forward and grasps your own. You feel a sensation like you are falling. "uO wiLL sEe!!" it's her voice, but at the same time not, as if there was something more than just her guiding your experience. The Loa.
And you DO see.
You see a proud Mayan warrior atop a pyramid. His heart is cut from his chest and a gem the size of a fist is placed into the hole in his ribcage...
You see a demon. He walks in the clothes of a man. A priest. There is fire in his eyes. You see that he is with another expedition (from at least 20 years earlier judging from the way they are dressed) who have found the ruins of an overgrown Mayan city. The demon poisons his companions save one. This one escapes into the jungle only to be pursued by the demon...
You see the Nazi Flag. German soldier marching towards their goal with blood stained boots. Richard gets a very real sense that he and his new friends must stop the Nazis from achieving their goal...
You see a silver ship leaning on it's side up against a huge sand dune. It's a 1930's era destroyer. It's been stripped of every scrap of paint by the winds and sand...
You made your Will save at this point...
[spoiler][[ The really cool past that was here was accidentally deleted, because I don't pay attention to what I am doing sometimes...
I have had to re-compose it from scratch. Sorry Nanshork. :( ]][/spoiler]
-
Richard is surprised, but only temporarily so. In the depths of Africa he had encountered Vodun priestesses before, though he had never before experienced anything like this. Richard takes this all in, trying to permanently etch every detail that he can into his memory. He gives a quiet prayer of thanks that the woman is what he had hoped. Paying special attention to the priest Richard smiles to himself, he has found a worthy prey.
[spoiler]
Will: 21 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2030621/)
Jace, you have made me happy on so many levels. :D
[/spoiler]
-
You feel nauseous, and your heads swims. You find yourself laying on your back on the floor on the room. The woman turns to see you awaken. "Uo 'av no be out long-time" She says. "Long 'nuff dat me prepare ou and ou chummy's a special gift ob protection."
She turns and presents you with 6 leather bags, each tied shut.
[spoiler](http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9683/grisgrisbag.jpg)[/spoiler]
"Gib' one ob dees to each ob your friends... Me think dat you all will need protection. Dis be 'gris-gris bags'. Dis maybe keep ou safe from de darkness. Do not open et, or de magic will leave et." After passing the 6 bags to Richard she hands you a breadbox-sized burlap wrapped parcel to give to Harrison.
[[ Your Will Save result was close but you passed. You could have blacked out for a period of time after that! ]]
-
Richard takes the bags and the parcel and nods in thanks. He starts thinking out loud. "Do you know what I saw? The Mayans have created some sort of protector for a weapon, and the Nazi's are searching for it. If they find it, they win. How can I kill the bloody thing?"
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/drugged.png)[/spoiler]
Russo listens hard to the commotion inside feeling slightly tingly but unsure if this is anything supernatural or just him thinking it is, he never put much stock in mumbo-jumbo of any sort.
He pulls out a cigarette and tries to light it but finds his hands trembling, a little disconcerted he places the matches and cigarettes back into his pocket, he finds himself sweating and twitchy.
Trying to calm himself Russo takes a good look around just to make sure nothing unpleasant is on it's way and at the same time trying to distract himself from the heady smoke issuing from the mouth of the woman's den
((oh yes, I'm back boys :smirk spot: 21 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2031419/)))
-
[Spoiler= RICHARD]
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/54/7mambo.jpg)
“So… dat be ou interpretation, eh?” she smiled. “Bisions be bery tricksy, bey-- BERY tricksy. Et be best to no be jumpin to any one conclusion or anodda… Best wait and see where de pieces fall when de time be right. Ou know?”
She took a long drag off her pipe, and exhaled the smoke as rings. “Ou tell him Bones sometin’ fo’ me? Tell him dat he best come beck live or no at all.” She gave a smile that was both demure and predatory all at once.
“Demon-spirits be eternal. No way, no how ou can kill one. But dey hab’ dey weaknesses. Dey either got dems a Bane or a Craving. Somting dey can’t stand or somting dat dey needs. Ou find out what dat be… dens you hab’ sometin to work with... Ou can slow dem down.
"Fo' example...do ou know dat some demon-spirits crave sugar?"[/spoiler]
[Spoiler= RUSSO]
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/54/7mambo.jpg)
You notice someone along the street watching you. When they notice that you’ve seen them they smile broadly and head in your direction.
The man is the same Hispanic man you had met earlier on the ship; Carlos Garcia.
“Hola!” he says. “I THOUGHT I recognized someone I knew over here! Have you gone to see the Palm Reader? Scary stuff.” He smiles withdrawing one of his hand-rolled cigarettes. “Mind if I get a match off you, amigo?”
“Did you ever get that ‘guide situation’ figured out? Most of the guides in this town aren’t worth their weight in donkey shit. TRUST me, my brother and I have had to rescue quite a number of jungle treks that got turned around and lost. So if you happen to still be looking, I know that my brother IS available… How about it?” Carlos proposes.[/spoiler]
[Spoiler= MAX]
(http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/2640/8cantina.jpg)
Max sits with Harrison in the dismal cantina, talking about old times...[/spoiler]
-
Richard nods, "You would know more than I about these things, that's why I'm here. I will deliver your message." He chuckles softly to himself. "Sugar? Well, that's something to lay a trap with."
-
Richard
“Dey you go. Dat's Dinking wit' de noggin. May you have success, but me dinks me glad me am staying here." Shes sits back down on her large comfy pillow. She taps her pipe out in an ashtray that looks like it has been made out of the Frontal Bone of a human skull.
-
Richard nods. "At least I won't be bored. Is there anything else I should know?"
-
Richard
“Me only can be making guesses, bey. See me when dis be all done. If you lib to dell anybody 'bout id. Me wanna hear ou tale den... Mayhaps ou don' die--" She gives you a dismissive wave of her heavily ringed hand. Bangled bracelets jingle on her wrist.
-
Richard nods, then gets up and heads out the door.
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/bluff.png)[/spoiler]
"Ah my old friend mr Carlos! You arn't kidding, that sort of stuff gives me the shakes! not my thing at all!" he chuckles and attempts to get out his matches settling as best he can his tremblings
"if this carries on" he strikes the match, sulfur smell overpowering the noxious fumes billowing from the teller's shelter for a second before being eclipsed once more, "I'm gonna have to start charging" smiling he holds the light to the man's cigarette and takes a deep, long look into his face
((sense motive: 17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2032415/)))
"yeah still looking for a guide, found a rather interesting man over in the market who says he can take us through the jungle, but he seems a bit of a grifter if you ask me, where did you say your brother and you were staying?"
((Bluff: 19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2032429/)))
-
Russo
“Gracias!”Carlos says to the gift of fire.
“Really? The other man is a bit of a grifter you say? Tell me his name and I can tell you if you would be in good hands. As I’ve said, mi hermano and I know a lot of these guys. I live in a large boarding house with brother. If you need us, I can go get him and we could meet you somewhere! What do you say to that? Did you want to leave today?”
[spoiler= Sense Motive Result][[ You get the sense that he is a fairly shady individual, but then again it takes one to know one. He doesn’t seem to be lying about anything he’s said. ]][/spoiler]
-
Richard approaches Russo and Carlos, who are standing outside the building and talking.
-
Richard nods in greetings at Carlos, then turns to Russo. His brusque manner has returned. "I'm done here."
-
Russo swore mentally, he hadn't thought up a name for this imaginary guide, think John! Think!
Richard nods in greetings at Carlos, then turns to Russo. His brusque manner has returned. "I'm done here."
"Ah Richard! Carlos says he may have a guide for us, do you remember what that other guy's name was, you know the boney guy with the bird cage" he gave Richard an awkward sideways glance preying he got the hint not to tell the guy about Harrison, he gave Carlos a pall-ish sort of smile as he turned back,
"Either way now that my old pal is back we should be going, you got a side of town you belong to?"
((Edit: Bluff: 25 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2033131/) Booyah!!))
-
Richard thinks quickly, then nods. "Juan something or another, I wasn't paying attention." He shrugs.
-
[[ Bluff checks from both of you for your last posts, please. ]]
"A boney guy named Juan with a birdcage...?" Carlos says trailing off as he tries to recall this person.
-
[spoiler]
Bluff check: 1d20+0=20! (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2033176/)
[/spoiler]
-
Carlos shrugs and shakes his head. "I don't know anybody like that. That could be anyone trying to make a quick buck off of you. You should definitively accept my brother and I as your guides! I mean if you had said names like Pedro Del Gato or even that gringo 'Bones' I would feel confident enough that you WOULD be in good hands."
He takes another drag from his hand-wrapped cigarette. "I live on the north east side of town. Near the docks. But I am mostly found anywhere from here all the way down to the brothel/hotel." He nods his heads, as if he's decided something. "Look, I was going to take care of some things, but I can see you guys are in a bind. How about I help you get around town quicker while you run your errands... or whatever." He looks at the burlap parcel in Richard's hands. "Anyway, where are you headed to next? I'll get you there faster!"
[spoiler=Nanshork & Tarot] [[ Please include a Sense Motive check with your next post please, Nanshork & Tarot. This is mostly because of the slimy feeling Tarot keeps getting in her gut. (Dare I say women's intuition? :p). Plus, he really is read as "shady"-- but then again... so do some of the people I call friends! ;) ]] [/spoiler]
-
Richard shakes his head. "Don't worry about us, we'll be fine. Go take care of your business, we'll come get you if we need you."
[spoiler]
Sense Motive: 5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2033565/) (rolled a 1, had to make up for the twenty on bluff apparently)
[/spoiler]
-
[[ still waiting on the roll from Russo...]]
-
(http://[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal-1.png)[/img]
"Thats a very kind offer Carlos, but as my amico here said we wouldn't want to hold up your own business, that would be rude of us" Russo gives the man a lazy companionable smile and nod and turns a little to Richard making a small motion hinting that they should get off.
((sense motive: 11 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2034192/) not too great myself...))
-
Carlos looks sincerely disappointed. "Well, I'll let you fellas get about your business then. Don't forget, you can find my brother and I at Ciudad de Perros later on today. We'd be glad to help you out if you run into any problems."
He waves goodbye and wanders out towards the south, towards the Market. He gives you guys one more look with a smile, then turns a corner and is gone.
[[ Yeah, again nothing great on those S.Motive checks. At least if you were hoping to catch him up to something. He came across as pretty sincere.
So... Off to the Curio Shop?]]
-
Max is drinking some of those awful drinks in the cantina with Harrison. Those men have a lot to discuss about their past…this unfortunate meeting with the nasty cannibals deep within the Guatemalan jungles or the long lost pirate treasure they thought they found in a cave in Nicaragua that was actually a hideout of the local bandits…
After some nice chatting about the past, Max changes the subject and returns to the present. He still have some questions to make to his old friend.
“So now we are alone Bones, what’s the story with those two packages you require from the others to get you?”
-
Richard heads off to the Curio shop.
-
[spoiler=Richard & Russo]Passing once again through the heart of the Bazaar you are once again bombarded with people all buying and selling stuff.
One man, spots Richard's buffalo rifle and calls for his attention.
"Senior! I see that you carry such a magnificent fire-arm. You are clearly a hunter, so I ask you. Have you seen better traps than THESE for sale?" He says motioning to the standard assortment at his booth.[/spoiler]
Max
[spoiler]
“So now we are alone Bones, what’s the story with those two packages you require from the others to get you?
"Nothing suspicious. Just some items that I want to have with us when we get going. Reggie is holding onto an Albert Dunning map that is supposed to be of the Lost City itself. A bit of physical proof as it were that the place really exists-- A few notes and records of things that we have tracked down over the years is there too. I don't know ALL the details about your mission, but from what I've gathered. You are trying to find the same place the Nazis tried to hire me to find for them.
"And from Sarah... Well, mostly I'm just getting some mumbo-jumbo voodoo stuff that hopefully will come in handy should we need it.
[/spoiler]
-
"these people don't give up easily do they?" says Russo with a smirk, "should we press on?" he takes an idle glance around as he walks looking for anything interesting
((goes off to look at bazaar list))
-
Richard glances at the traps. "Let me take care of my business, I'll be back to take a closer look." He motions to Russo for them to keep going.
-
Richard and Russo manage to dodge the hawkers,Russo remembered where the place was from when he first got off the ship and had asked a bunch of questions.
It’s in a dusty side alley just off the main market path. Not much going on outside of the store, except for two men passing a bottle of tequila back and forth and muttering to each other in some native tongue.
Not much going on inside either. A heavy-set man sits on a stool behind the counter near the door. There is stuff to buy everywhere; the place is cluttered with things and shelves covered with things. (Behind the counter is a glass display case containing 4 shrunken human heads and the Mayan Glyph Tablets.) There is another door in the rear of the store accessible from behind the counter.
The man is the only NPC present.
[spoiler=Items For Sale at the shop]
Wooden Statues - PDC 4
Clay animals - PDC 2
Mayan Clay Pots - PDC 5
Stone-carved Figurines - PDC 4
Shrunken heads (only 4 in stock!) - PDC not listed
Mayan Jade Necklaces - PDC 3
Leather & Stone Bracelets - PDC 2
Stone Earrings PDC 3
Wooden-carved Walking Sticks - PDC 1
Mayan Rain Stick - PDC 3
Stone Mayan Glyph Tablets (only 5 on hand) - PDC not listed
Clay Pipes - PDC 2
A violin - PDC 13
Stuffed Red Monkey (only one in shop) - PDC 8
[/spoiler]
In a halfhearted voice he greets you over a hot cup of tea. "Hello. Anything I can help you with today, let me know."
-
Richard touches the fingers of his left hand to his temple and sighs softly, shaking his head. He then motions for Russo to hand over the envelope, hoping he remembers the "code phrase". Richard can't understand what the hell is wrong with these bloody people and their lack of straight talk.
-
"Nothing suspicious. Just some items that I want to have with us when we get going. Reggie is holding onto an Albert Dunning map that is supposed to be of the Lost City itself. A bit of physical proof as it were that the place really exists-- A few notes and records of things that we have tracked down over the years is there too. I don't know ALL the details about your mission, but from what I've gathered. You are trying to find the same place the Nazis tried to hire me to find for them.
"And from Sarah... Well, mostly I'm just getting some mumbo-jumbo voodoo stuff that hopefully will come in handy should we need it.
“Mumbo-jumbo voodoo stuff? I didn’t know you believe in those kind of things bones…Why do you think we may need those? Don’t tell me that this is something like the sugar those Nazis seem to be gathering...we have heard the stories in the market…”
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/meh.png)[/spoiler]
slipping the envelope into his hand Russo all but tossed it at the desk under the nose of the man at the desk
"This is for you fatty, 'Bones' sent us" he said sounding somewhat exasperated at the whole ordeal.
"now you got something for us or are we just gonna walk outta here?"
-
RUSSO & RICHARD
[spoiler]
The man looks highly offended. "EXCUSE me?”
“I can’t see any reason you would have to come into my place to INSULT me!”
“Hold on… did you say ‘Bones’ sent you… that bastard, I bet this is his idea of a joke. ‘Fatty’ indeed!
“Well… if you weren’t sent by him, I’m sure you would have been more polite. Sadly, this town has gotten a bit… hot for him lately. Be sure when you see him to tell him I said that he’s an arsehole. He already knows it, but I like to remind him whenever I can… and I really owe him after this ‘fatty’ business.”
He takes the envelope, and using what looks like a stone knife, he carefully slices it open to reveal the contents.
“Oh… OH!” he says reading it. “You chaps are the men that have been sent by Mr. Wilkes of the League of Nations then, aren’t you?
“Well, in that case… I’ll be just a few moments...” he leaves his perch at the counter, and goes into the door behind him.
When he comes back, he has a small wooden chest. It is locked with a simple padlock. He sets it on the counter top in front of the two men standing before him.
“This is what that git ‘Bones’ wants. Be certain that he gets this. There are items in the box that simply cannot be replaced… and this should go without say, but be sure to keep this out of the hands of the Nazis who are in town. They’ve been by looking for him here already… and I don’t want anything to do with them..
“Now… can I interest you in anything special I may have for sale here? You can see that I have some very rare items! Otherwise, you can leave me be and get on with your business.”[/spoiler]
MAX
[spoiler]
“Living down here all these years has made a believer out of me. If anything it can’t hurt, right? You know me… I can use all the luck I can get.” Bones downs the rest of his drink in one swallow.
“Nazis and the sugar-- I‘ve heard about it, but to be honest I haven’t the slight clue. Seems pretty screwy, huh? You don’t imagine that they’re looking to make an enormous pitcher of sweetened ice tea do you?” He says with his trademark grin. “They took more than 500 lbs of sugar with them...”
“Sarah, the ‘fortune teller’ doesn’t think so. She tells me she sees something very dark in the future for us all. Wonderful news, huh?”[/spoiler]
-
Richard nods at Russo. "I have some things I need that I know won't be provided. Stay or go, the choice is yours."
He then turns back to Reginald, letting his English accent slip out more. "Now old chap, what items do you have for the more discriminating individual?"
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal-1.png)[/spoiler]
"heh everybody seems to have us pegged don't they" Russo tips an imaginary hat to the well build individual "I'll be sure to trade your insult with our new friend, I'm sure he'll find it to his liking" he sighs a little, and idly begins browsing the items for sale, muttering to himself "I wonder if my cousin would like anything, providing we survive that is... Hey Richard, we planning to be off tomorrow or we moving ourselves off today?"
-
Richard shrugs. "If a plan was made I didn't hear it."
-
[spoiler=MAX]
“Living down here all these years has made a believer out of me. If anything it can’t hurt, right? You know me… I can use all the luck I can get.” Bones downs the rest of his drink in one swallow.
“Nazis and the sugar-- I‘ve heard about it, but to be honest I haven’t the slight clue. Seems pretty screwy, huh? You don’t imagine that they’re looking to make an enormous pitcher of sweetened ice tea do you?” He says with his trademark grin. “They took more than 500 lbs of sugar with them...”
“Sarah, the ‘fortune teller’ doesn’t think so. She tells me she sees something very dark in the future for us all. Wonderful news, huh?”[/spoiler]
“500 lbs of sugar combined with a prediction of a dark future eh? I guess that sounds like fun Jones....I think I have read about creatures being attracted from sugar…demons…in that weird book I found in an old antique store in London ”(add Dms remarks)
Knowledge arcane lore (take 10): 19
-
[spoiler=RUSSO & RICHARD]
As the two of you discuss things, Reggie rummages below the counter for a couple of moments.
“Brilliant!” he says. He brings up a small wooden box. From within it he withdraws a small bundle wrapped in leather.
A more discriminating individual as you no doubt sir are, would take special interest in this.
He unwraps the bundle, folding the leathery flaps back and exposing a set of four stone Mayan daggers. Approximately 8 inches long each, the hilt is bone carved to resemble a Mayan deity of some sort. Each is inlaid with jade and turquoise. The blade is obsidian; black and unbelievably sharp.
"Sacrificial daggers, hand made for the purpose of letting blood to appease the gods. Look at that quality craftsmanship. I haven’t the foggiest what the little devils are on the handles, but these are special. Who knows how many souls had been claimed with these?"
[/spoiler]
[[ Neull//, you have the result in your PM box. ]]
-
Richard examines them, his interest piqued. "How much?"
-
"Well, since you know 'Bones'..." he tells you how much for the set.
[[ Purchase DC 15 ]]
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/Picture3.png)
[/spoiler]
Russo moves over and gingerly picks the other dagger up, feeling curious. His exasperation gone replaced with intense interest, he turns the thing over several times taking in as much detail as possible, and finds out just how sharp the thing is first hand.
((knowledge history: 28 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2045075/) booyah!))
Blood wells from his finger as he turns the thing over a little too hastily, a curious expression on his face
"how old did you say these were doc?"
-
Reggie takes the ancient blade back from Russo's hand and sets it back on the leather wrap.
"The site that these were discovered at dates back to the Post Classic Period of the Mayans, which means that these are at least 500 years old." Noting Russo's nicked fingertip, he hands him a handkerchief. "Try not to bleed to death in my shop..." He says with a wry smile, "Well-crafted obsidian blades have a cutting edge many times sharper than high-quality steel surgical scalpels. As ancient as these are, they are as sharp as the day they were made."
Then back to Richard. "This very set of ceremonial daggers have seen more than just a drop of blood, mind you. These are the real deal. Countless men and women perished under these very blades. Bones had gotten his hands on these over a year ago, and he sold them to me when he needed spare coin I suppose."
After a few moments of silence Reggie adds, "I've got some interesting maps you may like buy if these daggers are not to your liking."
-
Max[spoiler]Max, you and Bones hear the approach of the mules. Bones gets up and heads to the door.
Bones peers out of the front door, squinting ainto the sunlight. "You might as well tie-up and come on in. Set your men to look after your animals." He says "Your pals ain't here yet. It's just Max, me, and Padre. If you need to fill up your water bags give them to Padre and he'll take care of them for us. We might as well be comfortable while we wait."
Bones returns back into the gloom.
"The boys are back. Well, 'cept for the two running my errands." He comes down the steps and approaches the bar. "Padre, I think they'll need to fill up their canteens or whatever. Help 'em out, could ya?"
Padre nods in return.
[/spoiler]
-
Richard nods and digs out his wallet, placing the cash on the counter. "I'll take them."
-
"Brilliant. Would you like me to box them up for you?" he says accepting the currency. He pulls out a wooden box just large enough to hold them and offers it to Richard. "No charge for that. I always try to take good care of my fellow Brits. Ho ho! Now be careful with those. As sharp as they are, they're quite fragile. A fumble would most certainly shatter them. Now... is there anything else I can help you with today?" He says with a genuine smile.
[[ Please make the appropriate change to your WB on your character sheet, as the cost was at the 15 mark. It was nice doing business!]]
-
Richard smiles and nods, accepting the box. "That was all my good man."
-
"Cheers!" Reggie says. He turns his attention back to his cup of tea and a paperback novel.
-
Eisen, not really much of an animals man, decides to let someone who knows ropes and donkeys (OOC: though hopefully not at the same time!) deal with them, and instead grabs his own pack and rifle and heads inside. Once in, he goes to a table, into which he places aforementioned gun and backpack, as well as his belt. He does not, however, abandon his holstered handgun or his knuckles, which he takes out and starts to flip, juggle between his fingers, and polish with his shirt, just in a fidgety fashion. Eventually, he makes his way to the bar and in a somewhat lowered tone asks, "Might sound odd, but do you have any milk? Just straight, no spikes..."
-
Dr. Loder turns to Paco and Esteban as he heads inside. "¿Usted tienen gusto de una bebida mientras que usted mira las mulas?"
-
Richard stops at the marketplace for a few items, then heads back to the bar.
-
“Si Senor Loder.” Paco replies. He and Esteban take the lead ropes and take the mules beneath the shade of a tree.
-+-
Inside the bar is pretty deserted with the exception of the arrival of the three of you. Harrison has settled back into his rear corner booth. Though gone now is his drink.
Padre the bartender removes a pitcher from a small battered icebox. He pours Eisen a tall glass of “leche” before taking the party’s canteen’s to fill with water.
“The CLEAN water, Padre!” Bones shouts after the man as he disappears behind a curtain in the rear of the bar.
After a few moments, your compatriots Jon Russo and Richard Jameson return carrying a bundle and box for Harrison Avery.
“Great timing fellas. The others just got back as well. Bring those over here, would ya? I’d like to take a quick look to make sure Reggie didn’t forget nothing,”
As the group’s attention is largely on Bones and his box, a small familiar boy walks in slowly from the front door, and slowly down the stairs in very hesitant steps.
“Senor Bones...” he says in a voice full of shame, “There are some hombres outside who want to talk to you…” Then he adds in a small voice “I, I’m sorry… They caught me…” after which he bursts into tears.
The box forgotten, Bones leaps to his feet and pulls his revolver. “Padre we're gonna have company!”
“Shit.”
[[ Please use the map to denote your character's location at the end of your next posts. I will post a map denoting where everyone is so you may then plan your actions accordingly.
Bones F-7
The Kid I-15 Good luck! ]]
[spoiler=Pulpit Cantina Map](http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4269/pulpitcantina.jpg)[/spoiler]
-
Eisen downs his drink, then steps over to his pack and picks up the rifle, barely needing to cock the bullet in; it was ready for times like these. Meanwhile he looks towards the back door the man had gone through... shit, shots from two sides... he makes an unexpecting and stressed attempt to listen to his environment, to see if anything from either entrances makes a noise that could be used as a target....
[spoiler]Listen: 10, vs surroundings for Nazis. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2046194/)
Yeah, meant listen, wrote spot, all the same thing, my bad...[/spoiler]
-
Loder, taking cover behind the brick wall (at E-8), unholsters his shiny chromed Colt 1911. From the way he holds it, you'd probably guess he's never actually used it outside of a shooting course.
-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/shouty.png)
"shit! you are pulling our collective leg right!? who caught him? who is it!?" Russo's head snaps round to the door and unfastens his leather holster before realizing the young boy was going to be right in the middle of any fire-fight that might occur but still expecting to be able to talk his way out,
"somebody grab that kid!!"
((F11 also WTF is happening with the spoiler box!? :twitch))
-
Richard jumps over the bar and levels his rifle at the door. He calmly says, "It's Nazis of course. Kid, move out of the way so I can shoot them when they come in."
[spoiler]
There are a couple of threads about spoilers not working, apparently Josh did some work last night on here. Yes, I'm using a spoiler when I know it won't work, because it will eventually. :p
H10
[/spoiler]
-
"Herr Avery! Ve know zat you are inside. Zat boy ov yours has given you up! It vill be much easier for you if you come out peacefully." A German accented voice calls from out front. "Do not make us come inside for you."
So far there is no movement towards the door, nor any obvious signs of anyone trying to enter... yet.
-
"Move yer ass Kid!" Harrison says. Not so much anger in his voice, he sounds too grim for that. The kid obeys, Settling in between Russo and Eisen.
"Remember that time in Havana, Max? This is going to be worse." Bones then addresses the rest of you, "Folks, I'm sorry for getting you into this, but I could sure use a hand getting out of this jam... Can anyone see how many there are?"
"Kid, are you okay?" Bones asks the boy, who nods his head slowly.
The Back door remains closed. The front double doors remain wide open.
[[ Direct Link to image: http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/5208/thekidhasmoved.jpg ]]
[spoiler= CANTINA BATTLE MAP](http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/5208/thekidhasmoved.jpg)[/spoiler]
Max E-6
Loder E-8
Kestrel E-10
Bones F-7
Russo F-11
Eisen F-13
Richard H-10
The Kid F-12
-
Richard tries to see if he can figure out what they're up against.
[spoiler]
Spot: 19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2047310/)
[/spoiler]
-
Waiting for a resultant hint from someone trying to spot the soldiers, Eisen starts to think out loud. "Is there a way in hell of shooting our way out of this? Please tell me you people have killed something before." Eisen looks around the room. The doctor and Russo both have an appearance that doesn't scream killer, and of course the boy doesn't. He felt more confident with Richard and Kestrel at least; if only he could have brought in Russo's plane's guns... "Bones, is there a way out other than through the front or back doors?"
-
[spoiler]
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/shouty.png)
[/spoiler]
"course I killed things! just coz we can all handle a piece doesn't mean this has to be a bloodbath" hisses Russo
"we could try and talk our way out of this, might save on ammo for when we really need it" Russo sands up ready to duck behind the little enclosure behind him or dive out of the way
"get in here kid" he gently reaches out and pushes the kid behind him into the little booth, and whispers to him never taking his eyes off the front door "you get in there and hide under the table, don't come out till we grab you"
"Uhh who did you say you were looking for!? Avery!? there's nobody here called Avery that I know, just peaceful folks having a drink come on in we'll buy you one for the misunderstanding!"
((diplomacy+fast talk 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2047422/) that is NOT going to work....))
-
Eisen's eyes perk up. Russo might have just figured it out. Turning harshly to his partners, he hisses "Hide bones, disguise him or scar him, he can't be seen!" Then calling towards the door, "*Meine Freunde! Mein Italienischer partner des idioten hat recht. Bitte, trinken sie mit uns anstatt etwas. Ich weiß nicht von einem mann hier durch den namen von Avery. Sind Sie dieses sind der rechte Pub sicher?" Turning with a sharp and cold expression, "Get him fucking out of here! What can you do, Bones!?"
[spoiler=*]Diplomacy: 20 to Nazis (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2047444/) Dude... how'd I manage that?... I have, like, a +2...[/spoiler]
-
“What can I do? If push comes to shove, let's just say I know Al Capone personally. Until that time comes I’ll dust out and try to lie dormy." Bones says as he heads for the basement stairs.
The Kid hides under the table behind Russo.
Richard can see at least two Nazis outside the doors. They seem to be looking at each other, with confused expressions. They appear to be talking with others outside of his line of sight.
Eisen may have bought some time. After what sounded like some sort of discussion from out front, the two Nazis enter silhouetted in the doorway, momentarily blinded in the vestibule.
As their eyes adjust to the gloom, a third man approaches the door. This man is Carlos Garcia.
They look around the bar.
“Don’t be cute. Ve know Bones iz in zis Scheißeloch. The Jungenkind has told us zis.” The Nazi smoking a cigarette turns to Carlos. “Do you see him in here?”
“Perhaps he’s hiding under that hat back there…” Carlos says motioning to Max. “Speaking of seeing amigos… Hola senor Russo, wasn’t it? Did you ever find yourself a guide?” He voice is rich with sarcasm.
[spoiler]
Direct Link: http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/4411/barbattlebeforecombat2.jpg
(http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/4411/barbattlebeforecombat2.jpg)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler=Before the Nazis come in]
((I'm assuming that I can do this))
Richard laughs coldly. "I was a sniper in the last war, I've killed plenty."
[/spoiler]
As he sees the Nazis start to enter, Richard ducks down behind the bar and tries to find a place to hide.
[spoiler]
Hide: 14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2047940/)
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler][[ Yeah, that's fine. If they DO see you, perhaps they'll think you're the bartender? lol ]]
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]((A bartender in a British safari outfit? :P)) [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/Picture1-1.png)
[/spoiler]
"Carlos! you son of a bitch, I was right not to trust you." Russo looks him coldly in the eye gives the man a wry smile "yeah we did as a matter of fact, but I think he saw your goons and left us hanging, all dried up, hurt our feelings"
having turned to his side Russo starts steadily drawing his Browning from it's holster being careful not let the aggressors see and stalling for time
((roll initiative? (of course sorry still new at this) sleight of hand:14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2048256/) fast talk/diplomacy: 4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2048205/) uhhh..... shit.... O_o))
-
[spoiler]((It's THAT kinda bar, huh? :p Actually, that might make them leave faster...))[/spoiler]
Moving over to put a hand on Russo's shoulder, and placing his hand seemingly inconspicuously on his rifle (at the same time, he does seem to obscure vision of Russo from the soldiers), Eisen gives a rich laugh at this comment about Max and his hat. "Hahahah, that is a compatriot of mine; we met on the ship coming here. He could not possibly have become a target for authorities in the short time he has been here! Unless he's made more women angry than we know about, am I right?
Anyway, look at how nervous the child is. You know, I gave him a fright earlier, dressed as I am. He must be simply terrified of soldiers, as unusual here as they must be. And honestly, how trustworthy are children, daydreamers all of them? Who is this Avery, and what does he look like? Is he the one on all the posters in town?" He nudges Max suggestively with a grin, enjoying fucking with the Nazi's heads.
Turning to the two soldiers, he asks somewhat hushed, "Sollte ich Englisches oder Deutschen mit ihnen sprechen? Welches sie überhaupt bequemer bildet."
-
[[ I will need a Bluff check please, Eisen. You're certainly trying to sell them a load. ;)
Russo, If at any time anyone actually wishes to initiate combat, we will roll initiative at that time. Oh, and I need a Sleight of Hand check for you to stealthily withdraw your firearm too... ]]
-
Max while Bones moves to hide at the basement, he also moves quickly and jumps over to the bar next to Padre.
There he unholsters his pistol.
The adventurer stays calm while Carlos speak, pulls out one of the high quality cigars he bought before ,and puts it in his mouth.
“Carlos what a pleasant surprise!...Those are high quality. You want one?”
-
[[ I'm glad for your enthusiasm, but please make certain that you post what your character's position is at the end of your turn, otherwise I am left to guess, and if bullets begin to fly, I'm sure you will want to be exactly where you thought you were. ]]
"Oh you wound me TERRIBLY Russo. How can you even SAY such things. I'm quite surprised to see you tangled up in this affair, mi amigo." He smiles like a hungry shark. "These German soldiers are not my goons. Merely visitors to my wonderful city, and willing to pay for any sort of valuable information... like who Avery's boy is. Besides-- he and that brat had it coming to them." He motioned towards the booth where the kid is crouching down behind the table.
"ENOUGH!" The pale German barks. "Ve are not here to play games viz you. All ve want is is Harrison Avery." He walks down the steps and towards the group (H-15). The other Nazi follows. "Ve do not zink zat ze child vould have lied after the treatment ve gave him. Jah. Ve have vays ov making him talk."
The smoking Nazi chortles loudly at the joke, and continued to chuckle.
"Stoppen Sie zu lachen. Gehen Entdeckung Avery." the first German tells the second. He stops laughing and looks menacingly towards the group as he gets ready to0 pass by you on his way to the back of the bar... and towards the basement. (G-12)
-
OOC: Does Max get a reply on his cigar question? he had a plan :)Max moved at J11
-
[[ Sorry Max. These guys are looking at a room of potential problems. They aren't biting on the proffered cigar... ]]
(http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/628/barbattlemap3.jpg)
-
Max scans the whole area in the bar in case there is a shotgun anywhere.
Spot take 10: 15
If there is one he retrieves it, but keeps it below the bar level
Afterwards he scans the ceiling in case there are those huge chandeliers you usually find in a church. If there is one above the area the 3 Germans are crossing (they move in close proximity) he shoots its abutment.
Init: 8
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2048450/
AP: 1
Total 9
Attack chandelier: 14
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2048456/
If he is not that lucky he keeps his shotgun steady and waits for the others' actions
-
[[ There is an old metal chandelier. It is 15' x15' and centered above I-13.
If it were to fall, it could hit at least two of the Nazis, if you action took place immediately as the Nazi at H-14 tells the Nazi something in German. While Carlos is very much clear.
Padre did leave his shotgun when he left the room to get water. It wasn't hidden as well as Richard is.
Hitting two birds with one stone. Is that what you would like to do? If so, I can see that is being a Surprise Round. As German's and Carlos weren't aware of the shotgun.
If this takes place, then I want everyone to give me an Initiative roll for the first actual combat round that takes place after the Surprise Round is over. Also Tell me what it is you plan to do when it becomes your turn. ]]
-
BOOM! (shotgun firing)
The Nazis’ chat is interrupted while they witness in sock a huge chandelier falling from the ceiling to their heads. BANG!
The sight is not good. It seems like this thing was quite heavy
...a cloud of dust covers the whole bar...
OOC: things will probably change by people with higher initiatives..so I will not post Max's action on his turn yet...
-
[spoiler=initiative]Initiative: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2048502/)
Listen: 22 vs noises outside. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2048521/)[/spoiler]
Eisen heaves up his rifle into firing position on his shoulder, cocked as he'd already had it. He takes aim not at the German, but at Carlos, holding his position. "Kindly step into the room, and put your hands on your head. Silence would be better, but first, how many are outside?" A situation he would have preferred to avoid, but whatever works; he didn't really like how pompous the obnoxious three were. And besides, Carlos might look a bit better with a hole through him...
He listens, trying to hear if anyone outside is reacting... concerned, he motions towards the backdoor with his head as a nod, keeping his eyes trained on Carlos and the front door.
-
The shotgun Blast coughs painfully inside the stone walls of the former church. The sound of it rings in all of your ears.
Seconds later the Chandelier crashes down from it's hold in the ceiling. It strikes part of the wooden bar, and then crushes not just the two Nazis, but the table that Eisen had set his belongings on as well. The table, the Nazis, and Eisen's stuff go crashing to the ground, pinned below the heavy cast iron chandelier.
Dead or unconscious. The two Nazis aren't moving.
Carlos doesn't answer. He looks in shock at what just occurred.
[[ Russo Init: 16
Eisen Init: 15
Richard Init: 10
Max Init: 8
Loder Init: 7
Carlos Init: (1d20=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2048555/)]]
[spoiler]
(http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7752/surpriseround.jpg)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Initiative: 10 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2048567/)
[/spoiler]
-
Initiative = 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2048786/)
Loder waits, unsure of what to do, but staying behind cover.
-
((initiative: 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2049357/) In future perhaps we should wait until everybody has rolled first before we get carried away with blasting things to shreds, girl Tarot just woke up in a panic after reading the last few entries lol she got all confused and wasn't sure what to do))
[spoiler]
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/whathasbeenseen.png)
[/spoiler]
caught totally off guard Russo ears ringing he blinks, shocked and coughing as dust billows all around him, he puts his arm over his face and only then realized he had drawn his gun, in an effort to do something the points the boxy pistol as Carlos
"I suggest you do as the kindly German guy says *cough*" tuning his head to the bar he adds "Max would you kindly warn us next time you are going pull a stunt like that? I think Eisen lost a toe or two there *cough*"
-
Round 1 Starts
Russo Init: 16
Eisen Init: 15
Richard Init: 10
Max Init: 8
Loder Init: 7
Carlos Init: (1d20=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2048555/)
From the excited shouts from outside it is a good assumption that Nazis will be rushing in to see what all the commotion is. You've got this Round to get ready...
Remember to use your correct movement; 6 squares is equal to 30ft, etc.
Carlos will be moving last, but as it stands it looks like he might run for it if he can.
If any of you decides to fire a shot on your initiative please roll for damage as well as your to-hit roll.
-
Eisen's eye twitches in irritation. "Not a toe, but my bag doesn't look too good. I think some if it will be salvageable though... Damnit, you just couldn't keep your mouth shut to the Nazi's could you?
Someone, watch the back door..." Eisen resists shooting Carlos on general principle, instead choosing to keep his gun trained at Carlos and the door, readying an action to attack the first soldier he sees walk in armed.
[spoiler]To attack: 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2049368/)
To Damage: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2049369/)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/Picture3.png)[/spoiler]
"don't suppose there's much chance of getting our heavier equipment from outside is there?" he slips out the magazine of the browning, checking the ammo and slide making sure everything works
-
Max laughs while he aims his double barrel shotgun at the entrance.
“Sorry guys it could have been worse…initially I was thinking of using my explosives…Stay steady now, there are two more blond ladies out there and they should be coming in.”
“Ohh and Carlos my friend if you even move one of your fingers, believe me, you are dead. Stay down”
Ready action shoot the first nazi who comes inside
Attack: 15
Damage: 13
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2049532
-
Loder huddles behind the protective brick wall, the Colt shaking in his hand.
[spoiler]
Delay action until after Carlos takes his action.
[/spoiler]
-
Richard stands up, pointing his rifle at something he sees outside. He remains quiet, though he does have a small smile on his face.
-
[[ Unless Loder does anything to interrupt Carlos' next action. No one had specifically stated that they were readying any sort of action against him. (though threats had been made...). As a result he will act unimpeded for his turn. Once Loder has chosen to act, or not to act. Then we will move on to Round #2. ]]
Carlos takes a free 5-foots step backwards. Then takes off RUNNING out the front door shouting to the Nazis outside, "Big trouble!! Bones has got help! There are 6 of them in there. They took out senor Axel and senor Conrad! Watch out!"
"Möglicherweise benötigen wir Verstärkungen?!" A German shouts from outside.
-
Seeing Carlos nearly trip over himself in an effort to escape, Loder gets an idea. Holstering his pistol as he rushes over to the bar, he clambers over, nearly falling off the other end. He gets up and quickly selects a bottle of overproof rum, grabs the bar rag, stuffs it inside and crouches behind Richard (H-9).
Suddenly realizing that he doesn't have a lighter, Loder stammers. "Hey Richard, got a light?"
-
Battle Map at the end of ROUND #1[spoiler]
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9650/round1.jpg
(http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9650/round1.jpg)
[/spoiler]
Round 2 Starts
This is the initiative order for this second round:
Russo Init: 16
Eisen Init: 15
Nazis Init: Team Nazi moves on the same initiative. (1d20+2=12) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2049663/)
Richard Init: 10
Max Init: 8
Loder Init: 7
Bones Init: (1d20+1=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2049659/)
Carlos Init: (1d20=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2048555/)
-
[spoiler=check out the fancy new spoiler boxes!](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/shouty.png)[/spoiler]
"son of a bitch!" Russo cries out as Carlos makes a run for it "yeah you better run you coward!" he shouts in the hispanic man's general direction "don't suppose it really matters if ol'Bones shows his face anymore, we're in enough trouble as it is" sliding the magazine back into the browning he looks under the table, "you ok kid?"
((Russo should now be totally concealed behind that brick wall E11 Tarot said something about a free step or whatnot?))
-
Round 2
If there is no sign of any Nazis entering the bar until Max’s turn (init 8), then the archaeologist jumps over the bar and moves towards the south window to have a look outside (M17).
Spot take 10: 15
If he sees anyone pointing a gun towards the bar he shoots him
[move action: move 30 ft towards M17, standard action: shoot]
-
[spoiler]Still holding my readied action like I said last post. Take a five foot step backwards to E-13 ((you sunk my battleship! kidding...))...[/spoiler]
Eisen stands nearly totally still, somewhat frighteningly. If they've got grenades - and he prays they don't - this could get to be a lot less fun very quickly. Whispering to the others, "Someone watch the back door. I heard something earlier... someone might be hiding..." He notices Richard's stance while watching the Doctor throw himself over the bar... and his interest is piqued. Taking a slow step back, but keeping his rifle trained, he wonders just what Richard could possibly be smiling about. A small, dark smile cracks over his lips too; if Richard likes it, so does he.
-
((readying shooting action until a clearly Nazi shaped individual walks (or any other form of movement) through a door))
-
The Nazis make their move...
[spoiler]
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/1286/round2incomplete.jpg
(http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/1286/round2incomplete.jpg)
[/spoiler]
Action Break Down
[spoiler]
[[ Nazis B & D move up taking cover at the front of the entrance-way [Move Action]: H-22, J-22
Nazi Bruno will fire at Richard [Attack Action]:
1d20+4 (-4 for Richard's One-Half cover) (-2 for the additional Range Increment) = 17 (hit)
(2d6, MP38 submachinegun)Damage = 8 (HPs)
1d20+4-4-2, 2d6=[19, 4, -4, -2], [6, 2]) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2050918/)
Nazi Dolph will fire at Max [Attack Action]:
1d20+4 (-4 for Max's One-Half cover)(-2 for additional Range increment) = 6 (miss)
(2d6, MP38 submachinegun)Damage = Miss - No Damage
1d20+4-4-2, 2d6=[8, 4, -4, -2], [5, 3] (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2050927/)
Nazi Hanz goes to the back door [Move Action]. He opens the back door [Move action]
Nazi Griswald enters the back door and moves to location G-5 [Move Action]
(RUSSO has Line of Sight with Nazi G, and thus can use his Readied-Action to attack to fire upon Nazi G. Nazi G has One-Half cover and will benefit from a +4 to his Def. If Nazi G isn't killed or incapacitated then he will fire at Russo as planned)
Nazi Griswald will fire at Russo (who in turn has One-half cover):
1d20+4 (-4 for Russo's One-Half cover)= 11 (miss)
(2d6, MP38 submachinegun)Damage = Miss - No Damage
1d20+4-4, 2d6=[11, 4, -4], [4, 3] (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2050945/) ]][/spoiler]
The two Nazis near the front of the building move up to take firing positions at the front door of the bar. (they haven't actually run blindly into the room, thus readied action to shoot them aren't yet applicable.) They in turn open fire into the bar, hoping to kill either of the men they see behind the bar.
The first Nazi's bullet strikes home at Richard. The second Nazi attempts to hit Max but his shot hits the bar with a splintering report!
Eisen's warning about the rear of the bar seems to have been well-timed. One Nazi rushes in to take position inside the rear of the bar while his team mate opened the door for him...
Unfortunately, he wasn't counting on Russo being ready to fire at him...!!!
Next Up...
Russo's Readied-Action...
Richard Init: 10
Max Init: 8
Loder Init: 7
Bones Init: (1d20+1=3)
Carlos Init: (1d20=2)
Max
[spoiler]Round 2
If there is no sign of any Nazis entering the bar until Max’s turn (init 8), then the archaeologist jumps over the bar and moves towards the south window to have a look outside (M17).
Spot take 10: 15
If he sees anyone pointing a gun towards the bar he shoots him
[move action: move 30 ft towards M17, standard action: shoot]
Looks like you get to rethink your move! At least this way is more fun now! lol ;)
[/spoiler]
-
Max responds to Loder’s request throwing him his lighter.
“Burn those bastards Doctor!” yells the archaeologist pointing at the front door
[move action]
While he turns his back to throw his lighter he spots a nazi entering from the back door! In a burst of reflex he raises his shotgun and blows him! BANG!
[attack action]
Attack: 19
Damage: 9
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2051063
Note: If Russo manages to take him out before Max’s turn apply attack on Nazi B at the front.
-
Catching the lighter, Loder flicks it on, catching the edge of the rag with the flame. Hurling the bottle with all his might, he lobs it towards the front doorway...
[spoiler]
Molotov Cocktail thrown at I-19 = 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2051080/)
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler] (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/holys.png) [/spoiler]
"Shit!" Russo's head snaps up to the back door he raises his pistol and snaps a very loud shot off at the pale haired Nazi
in his panic the shot goes wide (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2051228/) embedding itself harmlessly in the wall
((crap missed. also I'm not sure if max has line of sight on ol'Griswald there, P.P.S I'm taking over from girl-Tarot since she has no idea what just happened lol))
-
So it's started. Taking a five foot step to E-12, Eisen keeps himself trained on the front door. Just waiting for one of the cautious bastards to enter...
If he doesn't have line of sight to the Nazi at J-22...
[spoiler]
He retains his held action to fire.
[/spoiler]
If he does have line of sight (sorry, I think I'm skimming the edge of the black wall, but not quite sure)
[spoiler]
Fires on the Nazi at the door.
To Hit: 14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2051306/)
I assume it misses, but...
Damage: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2051308/)
[/spoiler]
-
[[ Waiting on Nanshork to post Richard's actions, then I will resolve the events of ROUND 1.
Flay, I'm assuming that your above post is your actions for Round 2. Am I correct?
ATM Bowen's PC is ghosting "protecting the boy" so he will likely stay out of battle unless it seems obvious that the Nazis SEE and want to HARM him. Or if he gets a good shot from where he's at. ]]
-
Richard shoots at whichever Nazi shot at him, then uses a move action to reload.
[spoiler]
To hit: 24 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2051364/)
Damage:16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2051365/)
[/spoiler]
-
SECOND ROUND SUMMARY!
Russo 16
Russo takes a step backwards into the booth. Ready to shoot any Nazis he sees enter.
Eisen 15
Eisen steps backward away from the crushed table and his poor bag of gear. He hears the commotion around him, but doesn’t see any targets. Eisen shouts a warning to the others about possible Nazis at the rear.
Nazis 12
The Nazis make an assault on the Bar.
Two of them rush up to the front door, gaining cover and firing down into the bar. One of them manages to put a hole in Richard. The second one misses Max as it sinks into the wooden bar itself.
At the rear, one Nazi opens the back door, allowing his ally to rush in* and attack.
* Russo’s Readied Action
As Eisen shouts a warning about watching the rear of the bar, Russo sees the truth in that, as he sees two Nazis. One of them opens the door for the other and the other rushes in opening fire upon Russo.
Russo readied action is set off, and he fires upon the Nazis but strikes the wall! Luckly the Nazis aim had also been poor. Russo has no holes in him so far.
Richard 10
Richard returns fire at Nazi Bruno, then uses a move action to reload.
To hit: 24
Damage:16
Nazi Bruno’s head is ripped completely off by the blast of the .50 Buffalo rifle. Bruno’s headless corpse stands there for another moment before it topples backwards to the earth.
Max 8
Max tosses Dr. Loder a lighter. He peers around to try and see the Nazi at the rear, but doesn’t quite manage-- instead he fires the shotgun’s remaining 10-gauge shell at the one of the Nazis at the front door. BLAM! The shot is close! The Nazi ducks his head back behind the door. (One-Half concealment +4 Def/ The range puts it as a -2 to Atk.)
Loder 7
Catching the lighter, Loder flicks it on, catching the edge of the rag with the flame. Hurling the bottle with all his might, he lobs it towards the front doorway...
KA-Reeeeesh! Whoooooosh!
The bottle goes off target, exploding at K-18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2051321/). One of the wooden pews catches on fire.
Bones 3
[spoiler]It was my intent for Bones to attack with a sneak attack. Sadly. He fumbled his Hide.[/spoiler]
Bones is moving at half his normal speed, and is Hiding as to ensure that Nazi G is unaware of him. (Considering that Nazi G is in a firefight with Russo, this is conceivable.)
[spoiler]
He gets a +10 to his Hide check due to the ¾ cover the stairwell provides. He has a +1 to his skill check on top of that for a total of (+11).
Hiding is sneaky business. *fingers crossed* (1d20 +11=12) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2051327/) EPIC FAIL!!![/spoiler]
Harrison slips on a loose step, and stumbles. Nazi Griswald notices him, and is now aware of him!
“Eat lead you fascist bastard!” Bones shouts as he Double-Taps the Nazi with a Tommy gun from Point Blank Range.
To hit: 15
Damage:15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2051332/)
[spoiler]
15 damage meets/exceeds Nazi Griswald’s Massive Damage Threshold…. But NAZI GRISWALD SAVES! Fortitude Save versus Mass Damage (1d20+4=24) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2051334/) to bad for him, he is now laying on the floor anyway as he has now exceeded his HPs.[/spoiler]
“Verdammen Sie Sie!” Griswald utters. Taking two bullets to his gut, Griswald the Nazi collapses to the floor. Blood streaking as he slides down the wall behind him. He doesn’t move.
Carlos doesn't show up again.
Direct Link to Map: http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/8623/round2.jpg
[spoiler](http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/8623/round2.jpg)[/spoiler]
-
Round 3 Starts
Russo Init: 16
Eisen Init: 15
Nazis Init: Team Nazi moves on the same initiative. (12
Richard Init: 10
Max Init: 8
Loder Init: 7
Bones Init: 3
-
So it's started. Taking a five foot step to E-12, Eisen keeps himself trained on the front door. Just waiting for one of the cautious bastards to enter...
If he doesn't have line of sight to the Nazi at J-22...
[spoiler]
He retains his held action to fire.
[/spoiler]
If he does have line of sight (sorry, I think I'm skimming the edge of the black wall, but not quite sure)
[spoiler]
Fires on the Nazi at the door.
To Hit: 14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2051306/)
I assume it misses, but...
Damage: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2051308/)
[/spoiler]
As of now it doesn't look like you have LoS on either the front or the back. A Move into F-12 gives you a Line of Sight to both available targets. However, this puts you at a LoS risk to them in return.
-
Round 3
Max jumps over the bar and gets behind cover in K16 while he draws his favourite pistol.
[move action, draw weapon is free action while moving]
He takes a shot on the Nazi’s foot that is clearly visible but unfortunately the fire set in front him influences his aim
Attack: 16
Damage: 7
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2052440
-
Seeing the blond aggressor go down Russo moves from his cover, bounds past bar stools and the like and braces himself against the wall of the back door,((F6)) poking his pistol first then his head round the door Scanning for a second Nazi, seeing the second looking somewhat stunned outside the door he takes aim for his kneecap and fires (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2052459/) ducking back behind cover however he suddenly realizes he's nim more or less full view of the front door "shit! Uh, any more room back there Bones old friend?"
((18 to hit, not sure if we're using 'called shot' rules so i'll just roll to hit the nazi generally, damage: 8 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2052461/)))
-
If other Nazi out front is still standing and within visual range.
[spoiler]
Richard swivels his rifle and squeezes off another shot, this time at the other Nazi outside.
Attack:19
Damage: 19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2052684/)
[/spoiler]
Otherwise Richard turns the back to look for targets, and shoots the Nazi out back if he is still standing and within visual range
[spoiler]
Attack:19
Damage: 19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2052684/)
Same roll as the one in the other spoiler.
[/spoiler]
-
Round 3 Starts
Russo
Init: 16
Seeing the blond aggressor go down Russo moves from his cover, bounds past bar stools and the like* and braces himself against the wall of the back door,((F6)) poking his pistol first then his head round the door Scanning for a second Nazi, seeing the second looking somewhat stunned outside the door he takes aim for his kneecap and fires ducking back behind cover however he suddenly realizes he's nim more or less full view of the front door
((18 to hit, not sure if we're using 'called shot' rules so I’ll just roll to hit the Nazi generally, damage: 8))
[[* This triggers Nazi H’s readied action: To shoot anyone he sees enter his LoS.
Attack: 18, Damage: 8 HIT! Sorry, no called shots.]]
Nazi Hanz opens fire upon Russo as he breaks cover. Hits Russo for 8 damage!
Russo returns fire, strikes Nazi Hanz with a round to the torso for 8 damage!
RUSSO: "Shit! Uh, any more room back there Bones old friend?"
BONES: “I don’t mind the company, but I think we could use some privacy!”
Eisen
Init: 15
So it's started. Taking a free five-foot step to E-12, Eisen keeps himself trained on the front door. Just waiting for one of the cautious bastards to enter...
EISEN HOLDS HIS ACTION
Team Nazi
Init: 12
* Nazi Hanz used his readied action and fired at Russo. He holds his position at the door.
[spoiler] See Russo: To Hit=18, (-4 cover) Damage=8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2052808/)
[/spoiler]
Nazi Dolph rushes from the doorway, into the bar, taking cover at location G-17. He fires upon Richard, hoping to kill the man outright before Richard has a chance to turn the Buffalo Rifle on him.
[spoiler] To Hit =19, (-4 cover), Damage =10 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2052815/) MISS! Bullet slams into the wooden bar.
[/spoiler]
Nazi Egon lifts a garbage can, and hurls it through one of the larger rear stained-glass windows, shattering it wide open, thus allowing…
Nazi Fritz hops through the shattered window and takes up position at K-5. He shoots at the closest target he sees (Max, still behind the bar at this moment).
[spoiler] 1d20+4=24(-4 cover), 2d6=8 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2052823/) A NAT20!! HIT! This roll is to confirm the Critical... (1d20+4=17(-4 cover), 2d6=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2052826/) No critical. Max receives only 8 points of damage.
[/spoiler]
Nazi Fritz opens fire upon Max while he's still behind the bar. Hits Max for only 8 damage!
Richard
Init: 10
If other Nazi out front is still standing and within visual range.
Richard swivels his rifle and squeezes off another shot, this time at the other Nazi who has now moved inside.
Attack:19 (-4 cover) HITS Nazi Dolph!
Damage: 19
He takes the shot in the chest. It continues through him and sprays the wall behind him with part of his spine, and lungs. Dolph collapses like a rag doll where he stands.
Max
Init: 8
Max jumps over the bar and gets behind cover in K16 while he draws his favourite pistol.
[move action, draw weapon is free action while moving]
Having taken damage from Nazi Fritz he attempts to return the favor. [[ Max has one-half cover behind the table at K-14. I think I made the obvious choice for your target since D is now dead.
Attack: 16 (-4 cover) MISS!
Damage: 7
Loder
Init: 7
AWAITING LODER'S ACTIONS
Bones
Init: 3
Bones takes a free 5-foot step to F-4.
With one action he shuts the back door. With another action he bolts it locked!
“What’s the hell is taking you so long Padre?! Did you stop to go to the bathroom? We NEED your help!” Bones shouts back down the stairs to the bartender. “Locked doors won’t hold them for long!!”
-
The Map (So Far) for Round 3... still awaiting Loder's actions as well as Eisen's Held Action...
Direct Link to image: http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/3489/round35.jpg
[spoiler]
(http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/3489/round35.jpg)
[/spoiler]
-
Eisen makes a move to G-8, then goes over the bar and stands himself at guard next to the Doctor at H-8.
[spoiler]I'm sorry, not all that effective this encounter...[/spoiler]
-
Round 3
Max is hit right into his torso near his heart but fortunately his ballistic overcoat protects him from getting killed for once more.
The man screams in pain
“Ahhhh…I had enough!”
Max moves to a better position, being behind cover from his attacker [move 30 ft to M10] draws one of his grenade toys [small statue] and tosses it towards him [targets square K4]
Attack: 12
Damage: 12 / Reflex Save DC 15
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2053462
AP to attack: 4http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2053464
Final attack: 16 / -4 for range: total 12 – hit
Both Nazis F and E are hit [Nazi E receives +2 to reflex saves due to cover]
-
Loder, hearing the rear window smash, gets up and moves towards the back curtain (I-5), drawing his pistol.
Ready standard action: shoot any nazi that comes around the corner from the broken window area.
-
Richard hears the window crash and hops over the bar to L-10, then shoots at the Nazi he sees.
[spoiler]
Let me know if I need to make a skill check.
Hit: 12
Damage: 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2053631/)
[/spoiler]
-
ROUND 3 is over.
This is the final battle map:
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5127/round3.jpg
[spoiler](http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5127/round3.jpg)[/spoiler]
Round 4 Starts
Russo Init: 16
Eisen Init: 15
Nazis Init: Team Nazi moves on the same initiative. (12
Richard Init: 10
Max Init: 8
Loder Init: 7
Bones Init: 3
Richard and Max have posted their actions for Round 4 so far.
-
Moving fast and hard, Eisen bolts around the bar center and bounds over the counter, ending in space K-7. Wheeling his rifle around, he fires on Fritz near the doorway (K-5), hoping to put one down at least.
[spoiler]
To Hit: 14 ((does he have any cover from that wall?)) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2053768/)
Damage: 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2053769/)
((Damn! Not quite...))[/spoiler]
-
"ugh" Russo clutched at his side, blood creating a wide patch of red over his white top, while far from deadly it stung like a brand and made it rather painful to move around, Russo had been lucky. he propped himself against the wall getting ready to fire should an opportunity present itself
((readied action to shoot anything Nazi shaped that comes into his line of sight Hit:22 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2054990/) as girl-Tarot would say: BOOYAH!! damage: 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2054992/) lot of 7's and 8's happening here lol))
"This is Ridiculous! we have to get out of here, there is bound to be more of them, hows the back door looking Bones? Any Ideas?"
-
Russo
Init: 16
"ugh" Russo clutched at his side, blood creating a wide patch of red over his white top, while far from deadly it stung like a brand and made it rather painful to move around, Russo had been lucky. he propped himself against the wall getting ready to fire should an opportunity present itself
((readied action to shoot anything Nazi shaped that comes into his line of sight Hit:22 as girl-Tarot would say: BOOYAH!! damage: 7 lot of 7's and 8's happening here lol))
"This is Ridiculous! we have to get out of here, there is bound to be more of them, hows the back door looking Bones? Any Ideas?"
Eisen
Init: 15
Moving fast and hard, Eisen bolts around the bar center and bounds over the counter, ending in space K-7. Wheeling his rifle around, he fires on Fritz near the doorway (K-5), hoping to put one down at least. He hits. [[EDIT: Sorry! You were right. He DOES have cover at that location. One-half cover actually. You will need an 18 to hit him with his cover. ]]
Nazis
Init: 12
Nazi Fritz yells “Es gibt zu viele von ihnen!” He fires at Eisen who can almost feel the hum of the lead as it whizzes past his head.
[spoiler]Attack =14
Damage = 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2054678/)[/spoiler]
Nazi Egon shouts, “Hanz! Erhalten Sie unten hier! Ich benötige Sie, sie von der Seite zu schlagen!” He moves to L-2 and fires at Eisen... and HITS! “Ha ha ha! Ich erkenne Sie, Verräter!”
[spoiler]
Attack = 18
Damage = 6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2054015/)[/spoiler]
Nazi Hanz uses a Full-Round action. "Jah! Jah!"
Richard
Init: 10
Richard hears the window crash and hops over the bar, he sees Fritz taking cover at the doorway and fires. His shot is off though, and the heavy slug sinks into the door frame.
Max
Init: 8
[[Will you still be lobbing a grenade? Loder and Eisen will clearly be in the burst radius.]]
Loder
Init: 7
[[ Awaiting Action ]]
BONES
Init: 3
Bones moves from the backdoor, to just inside the bar area at G-6. He smirks at Russo from across the doorway. "The back door is looking locked to me, and the last time I checked there was a Nazi holding a submachine gun on the other side." He notices the blossom of red on Russo's shirt. "Look's like you've sprung a leak. Let me know if you plan to die anytime soon." He gives a humored wink.
Bones shouts back down towards the basement. “What’s keeping you Padre?!”
“¡No puedo encontrar mi sombrero!” Padre shouts up the stairs in response.
“What?! Are you kidding me?! Forget your stupid hat! Don’t you know that your bar is on fire?”
[[Waiting on Max & Loder's actions, and we'll finish out Round 4! :clap]]
-
Round 4
Max is hit right into his torso near his heart but fortunately his ballistic overcoat protects him from getting killed for once more.
The man screams in pain
“Ahhhh…I had enough!”
Max moves to a better position, being behind cover from his attacker [move 30 ft to M10] and fires towards Nazi Fritz hitting him on his right arm.
Attack: 21
Damage: 4
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2055377/
-
[[At this time I will also ask for a Spot Check from Eisen, Richard, and Max respectively.]] :whistle
-
[spoiler]
Spot: 23 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2055500/)
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Just so it's established: fuck.
Spot: 19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2055572/)[/spoiler]
-
Loder goes to the back window (J-4) to take a look out back to see if there are any Nazis waiting for them to run for it.
[spoiler]
spot (take 10) = 11
[/spoiler]
-
Spot check for Max (take 10): 15
-
[spoiler]EDIT. I'm keeping these rolls though :P
Initiative: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2055914/)
Attack (Tranter revolver, shoot at Nazi Hanz): 24 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2055923/)
Damage: 12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2055926/)[/spoiler]
-
Fourth Round Summary
Russo
Init: 16
"ugh" Russo clutched at his side, blood creating a wide patch of red over his white top, while far from deadly it stung like a brand and made it rather painful to move around, Russo had been lucky. he propped himself against the wall getting ready to fire should an opportunity present itself
((readied action to shoot anything Nazi shaped that comes into his line of sight Hit:22 as girl-Tarot would say: BOOYAH!! damage: 7 lot of 7's and 8's happening here lol))
"This is Ridiculous! we have to get out of here, there is bound to be more of them, hows the back door looking Bones? Any Ideas?"
Eisen
Init: 15
Moving fast and hard, Eisen bolts around the bar center and bounds over the counter, ending in space K-7. Wheeling his rifle around, he fires on Fritz near the doorway (K-5), hoping to put one down at least. He hits. [[EDIT: Sorry! You were right. He DOES have cover at that location. One-half cover actually. You will need an 18 to hit him with his cover. ]]
Nazis
Init: 12
Nazi Fritz yells “Es gibt zu viele von ihnen!” He fires at Eisen who can almost feel the hum of the lead as it whizzes past his head.
[spoiler]Attack =14
Damage = 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2054678/)[/spoiler]
Nazi Egon shouts, “Hanz! Erhalten Sie unten hier! Ich benötige Sie, sie von der Seite zu schlagen!” He moves to L-2 and fires at Eisen... and HITS! “Ha ha ha! Ich erkenne Sie, Verräter!”
[spoiler]
Attack = 18
Damage = 6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2054015/)[/spoiler]
Nazi Hanz uses a Full-Round action. "Jah! Jah!"
Richard
Init: 10
Richard hears the window crash and hops over the bar, he sees Fritz taking cover at the doorway and fires. His shot is off though, and the heavy slug sinks into the door frame.
Max
Init: 8
Max is hit right into his torso near his heart but fortunately his ballistic overcoat protects him from getting killed for once more.
The man screams in pain
“Ahhhh…I had enough!”
Max moves to a better position, being behind cover from his attacker [move 30 ft to M10] and fires towards Nazi Fritz hitting him on his right arm.
Attack: 21
Damage: 4
[spoiler]I still don't think that you have LoS from your current position. You would be hitting the pillar at the edge of the booth... but I'm going to give you this attack this round since you already had to rethink your actions once already... :p[/spoiler]
Loder
Init: 7
Loder goes to the back window (J-4) to take a look out back to see if there are any Nazis waiting for them to run for it...
Loder's Spot Result
[spoiler]
...But he finds that the large rear stained-glass window is extremely grimy and very difficult to see details out of. He DOES notice a shadow run past the window, from North to South though. The window itself is a beautiful intricate representation of the Mother Mary holding baby Jesus in swaddling clothes. She is represented in a blue gown, complete with prerequisite saintly halo surrounding her tilted head.
Inside the room, you happen to notice an open bottle of expensive rum sitting open... and forgotten on Padre's office desk. Next to it an unused shot glass. Padre's desk is old and well worn. It has a few stacks of papers on it, all looking like bills and invoices for the cantina.
An American-style pin-up calendar showing Betty Page hangs in the corner. The calendar is current. June 1941. The days leading up to yesterday have been crossed-out with handwritten X's reminding you that today is Saturday the 7th.
[/spoiler]
BONES
Init: 3
Bones moves from the backdoor, to just inside the bar area at G-6. He smirks at Russo from across the doorway. "The back door is looking locked to me, and the last time I checked there was a Nazi holding a submachine gun on the other side." He notices the blossom of red on Russo's shirt. "Look's like you've sprung a leak. Let me know if you plan to die anytime soon." He gives a humored wink.
Bones shouts back down towards the basement. “What’s keeping you Padre?!”
“¡No puedo encontrar mi sombrero!” Padre shouts up the stairs in response.
“What?! Are you kidding me?! Forget your stupid hat! Don’t you know that your bar is on fire?”
Sgt. Kestrel will be acting during the next round...
-
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7954/round4.jpg
[spoiler](http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7954/round4.jpg)[/spoiler]
-
Round 5 Starts
Russo Init: 16
Eisen Init: 15
Kestrel Init: 15
Nazis Init:12
Richard Init: 10
Max Init: 8
Loder Init: 7
Bones Init: 3
3 Nazis left!
-
Loder grabs the bottle from the table and takes a swig to stop himself from panicking. He then stuffs a fistful of invoices into the mouth of the bottle and pulls the lighter out of his pocket.
[spoiler]
Fort Save = 23 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2056031/)
[/spoiler]
-
“I will try and get them out from outside Richard” Max whispers before he makes his stun
The archaeologist jumps through the window in his booth [O10] smashing it, and lands on the ground just outside the bar [jump check: 22 http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2056035/]. he then advances until the southwestern corner of the bar [P5] and draws one of his grenades.
[mechanics: double movement, using jump as part of movement]
-
Richard covers Max buy shooting at Nazi Egon.
[spoiler]
Hit: 15
Damage: 21 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2056058/)
[/spoiler]
-
"You stay here and you keep your head low, you understand kid?" John whispers to the boy before he darts out of his booth and then jumps over both ends of the bar, before taking cover, hoping to provide fire support to Eisen.
[spoiler]Double Move over to K6 (Assuming I can get cover from the wall next to the door opening. If not, move to J6 to use the bar as cover for now.)
Jump 1: 17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2056121/)
Jump 2: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2056142/)[/spoiler]
-
Eisen feels the bullet bite into his shoulder, grunts, and finds that his miscalculation is best amended. Firing once more at Fritz to cover himself, he falls back a few feet and then sprints into the seats at M-9. Tapping wound he got to test the depth, he shouts out "So, anyone need a grenade? We should end this..."
[spoiler]
To hit Fritz: 26 (natural 20) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2056164/)
Roll to confirm: 9 :bigeye (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2056165/)
Roll for damage as normal: 14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2056167/)[/spoiler]
-
So Far in Round 5...
Russo
Init: 16
[[ Awaiting Action ]]
Eisen
Init: 15
Eisen feels the bullet bite into his shoulder, grunts, and finds that his miscalculation is best amended.
Firing once more at Fritz to cover himself-- his bullet burrows into Fritz right eye socket. He died with an utter look of shock on his face as he collapses into the broken glass on the floor at his feet.
Eisen falls back a few feet and then sprints into the seats at M-9. Tapping wound he got to test the depth, he shouts out "So, anyone need a grenade? We should end this..."
Kestrel
Init: 15
"You stay here and you keep your head low, you understand kid?" John whispers to the boy before he darts out of his booth and then jumps over both ends of the bar, before taking cover, hoping to provide fire support to Eisen.
Double Move over to K6 (Assuming I can get cover from the wall next to the door opening. If not, move to J6 to use the bar as cover for now.)
Nazis
Init:12
Nazi Egon cries “MeinGott!” at Fritz’ sudden demise. He retreats south and is no longer visible at the window.
Nazi Fritz Killed by Eisen.
Nazi Hanz [who ran all out to get in this position last turn, many of you saw him run past the window behind Egon.] Smashes the window at about O-10, “Hahahahaha!” He laughs maniacally and Autofires upon the 10’area that Eisen, Richard and Max are all standing in [L-9, L-10, M-9, and M-10.]
[spoiler]
Attack = 8, Damage = 9) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2057311/)
All three men, look down at themselves and see that not a single bullet hit them. Hanz’ expression goes from murderous glee to outright shock. :banghead[/spoiler]
Richard
Init: 10
Richard covers Max buy shooting at Nazi Egon. The bullet hits the window frame.
[[ I assume this action will swing over to the only available target, Hanz? ]]
Max
Init: 8
[[That Damn Nazi is standing in the window opening, firing a gun at you… what are you going to do?]]
Loder
Init: 7
Loder grabs the bottle from the table and takes a swig to stop himself from panicking. He then stuffs a fistful of invoices into the mouth of the bottle and pulls the lighter out of his pocket.
Bones
Init: 3
Rushes to D-11 after Kestrel vacates to take on Nazis to check on the boy. “Kid, are you okay? What the hell happened?”
-
Russo still ready to shoot anything that comes within range, clutching as his wound as if hoping thats gonna do some good, he grunts every now and again to show he is still alive
"I hope those bastards haven't taken our stuff" he mutters
((hit: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2057490/) damage:4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2057491/) :lol :lmao oh god Jace you kill me!!!))
-
[[ Russo's readied action goes off after the appearance and attack of Nazi Hanz. I can establish a LoS from the corner of Russo's square to the target. He DOES have a +4 def mod thanks to one-half cover (either due to Eisen or the window itself) and there is a matter of range...--]]
Russo sends lead south with a small explosion from his handgun. The bullet whines over the bar, and weaves a straight course between Eisen and Max and sinks into the back of the wooden pew directly under the window sending up splinter and a loud CRACK!
-
Max drops his pistol on the table [free action], draws his whip [move action] and makes an attempt to disarm Nazi Hanz from his submachine gun.
Slash!
Ranged attack (disarm attack/ including +2 for using whip and +4 for improved disarm): 31!
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2058008/
Versus: 7 (summachine gun is considered tiny as a laptop computer)+5+opponent’s dex modifier+ opponent’s class bonus to defence +2 for holding it in two hands
The Whip slashes the Nazi’s hands and the submachine gun falls to the ground.
“Surrender asshole, or my friend (showing Richard) will drop you dead”
-
Round 5 final wrap-up
Russo
Init: 16
Russo still ready to shoot anything that comes within range, clutching as his wound as if hoping thats gonna do some good, he grunts every now and again to show he is still alive
"I hope those bastards haven't taken our stuff" he mutters
Russo sends lead south with a small explosion from his handgun. The bullet whines over the bar, and weaves a straight course between Eisen and Max and sinks into the back of the wooden pew directly under the window sending up splinter and a loud CRACK!
Eisen
Init: 15
Eisen feels the bullet bite into his shoulder, grunts, and finds that his miscalculation is best amended.
Firing once more at Fritz to cover himself-- his bullet burrows into Fritz right eye socket. He died with an utter look of shock on his face as he collapses into the broken glass on the floor at his feet.
Eisen falls back a few feet and then sprints into the seats at M-9. Tapping wound he got to test the depth, he shouts out "So, anyone need a grenade? We should end this..."
Kestrel
Init: 15
"You stay here and you keep your head low, you understand kid?" John whispers to the boy before he darts out of his booth and then jumps over both ends of the bar, before taking cover, hoping to provide fire support to Eisen.
Double Move over to K6 (Assuming I can get cover from the wall next to the door opening. If not, move to J6 to use the bar as cover for now.)
Nazis
Init:12
Nazi Egon yells “MeinGott!” at Fritz’ sudden demise. He retreats south.
Nazi Fritz Killed by Eisen.
Nazi Hanz [who ran all out to get in this position last turn, many of you saw him run past the window behind Egon.] Smashes the window at about O-10, “Hahahahaha!” He laughs maniacally and Autofires upon the 10’area that Eisen, Richard and Max are all standing in [L-9, L-10, M-9, and M-10.]
[spoiler]
Attack = 8, Damage = 9) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2057311/)
[/spoiler]
All three men, look down at themselves and see that not a single bullet hit them. Hanz’ expression goes from murderous glee to outright shock.
Richard
Init: 10
Richard squeezes the trigger on his buffalo rifle, Ka-BAM! and sends a slug towards Hanz at the window, sadly his shot sinks into the window frame instead.
Max
Init: 8
Max drops his pistol on the table [free action], draws his whip [move action] and makes an attempt to disarm Nazi Hanz from his submachine gun.
Slash!
[spoiler]
Ranged attack (disarm attack/ including +2 for using whip and +4 for improved disarm): 31!
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2058008/
Versus: 7 (summachine gun is considered tiny as a laptop computer)+5+opponent’s dex modifier+ opponent’s class bonus to defence +2 for holding it in two hands[/spoiler]
The Whip slashes the Nazi’s hands and the submachine gun falls to the ground.
“Surrender asshole, or my friend (showing Richard) will drop you dead”
Loder
Init: 7
Loder grabs the bottle from the table and takes a swig to stop himself from panicking. He then stuffs a fistful of invoices into the mouth of the bottle and pulls the lighter out of his pocket.
Bones
Init: 3
Rushes to D-11 after Kestrel vacates to take on Nazis to check on the boy. “Kid, are you okay? What the hell happened?”
-
Direct Link to Map: http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4413/round5.jpg
[spoiler](http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4413/round5.jpg)[/spoiler]
-
Round 6 Starts
Russo Init: 16
Eisen Init: 15
Kestrel Init: 15
Nazis Init:12
Richard Init: 10
Max Init: 8
Loder Init: 7
Bones Init: 3
-
((HAHAHA, love the Pulp Fiction reference!))
Eisen looks down at himself, around at the room behind him, then looks up and fires at Hanz before pulling himself around the corner to M-8, crouching to try and avoid being potentially hit a second time, muttering "...Divine Intervention..." under his breath.
[spoiler]
To hit: 21! (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2059246/)
To "pop cap in Hanz's nazi ass" (read: damage): 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2059249/)[/spoiler]
-
[[ If either Sgt Kestrel or Russo want to try to kill Hanz before/as Eisen does, now is their chance...
This death will effectively end the combat round however, you are all welcome to do any remaining actions you had planned on doing this round.
You will find that no further gunfire errupts, nor do you see any Nazis lurking about the fringes of the building...
Of course none of that has any bearing on the fact that Nazi friendly Santa Boca authorities will be arrive soon not to mention any additional help the Nazis bring with them this time... ]]
-
((usghh at party, drink much postfd later))
to hit damage:[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2059681/]7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2059679/ 25[/url)
-
And this is what happened:
Russo fires another shot-- this one right between Eisen and Richard, and sailing past Max-- it wings Nazi Hanz in the right arm.
[spoiler]
To Hit: 21 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2059246/)
Damage: 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2059681/)
[/spoiler]
[[ Eisen and Kestrel have the same Initiative, but Bowen has the higher Dex, which is usually how I break the tie-breakers. Kestrel may try to get a piece of Nazi ass, and if he misses, Eisen's shot will certainly put him down.
So much for surrender. ]]
-
John aims around the corner, shooting at the nazi behind the wall. "Looks like you're going to give me my first Nazi scalp on this trip." he grins as he puts a bullet into his enemy.
[spoiler]Attack: 27 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2060303/)
Damage: 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2060305/)
[/spoiler]
-
Max is quite shocked since he feels a rain of bullets passing around him, hitting the nazi he just disarmed!
“hmmm, guys…I disarmed him to acquire intelligence not aiming skills!”
“Anyway quickly search the bodies for any useful information and lets get the hell out of here!”
Once this is over, Max picks up his .45 pistol and moves towards the body of the nazi, standing outside on the road, in front of him. He retrieves his submachine gun, any additional ammunition, his fatigue jacket and any piece of information he may find on him.
-
ROUND 6
In summary
RUSSO
Russo fires another shot-- this one right between Eisen and Richard, and sailing past Max-- it wings Nazi Hanz in the right arm.
JOHN
John aims around the corner, shooting at the nazi behind the wall. "Looks like you're going to give me my first Nazi scalp on this trip." he grins as he puts a bullet into his enemy.
EISEN
Eisen looks down at himself, around at the room behind him, then looks up and fires at Hanz before pulling himself around the corner to M-8, crouching to try and avoid being potentially hit a second time, muttering "...Divine Intervention..." under his breath.
Hanz is shot three times. The first was by Russo... the second two, simultaneously by both John Kestrel and Eisen.
There is very little of the man's head and face left to question...
There is a bit of a ruckus towards the rear stairs as PADRE comes rushing up the stairs and up into the bar.
The first thing you notice is he's wearing the biggest damn sombrero you've ever laid eyes on. It's big enough to keep him and maybe a small dog dry if it were to start raining...
The second thing you notice is that he's heavily armed. He's got a shotgun in one hand, an old western style revolver in the other... across his chest are crisscrossed bullet belts.
On his face he looks eager to fight... but as soon as he sees that the front of his Cantina is on fire he drops his weapons on the bar and rushes back downstairs yelling "¡Oh no! ¡Mi cantina hermoso! ¡Ayuda! ¡Necesito conseguir el agua!"
"Idiot." Bones mutters loud enough for those in the room to hear. "All right. Someone get your ass downstairs and grab the canteens and waterskins that Padre filled up before the shooting started. If you're not quick about it he may start dumping the contents out all over his bar! Anyway, we need to get the hell out of here!"
He goes to the back door, unlocks it, and peeks outside. "All clear!"
-
Hearing the commotion from Padre, Loder quickly replaces the bottle and invoices on the table and slowly walks out of the bar area towards Bones. :hmm
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/grumpy.png)[/spoiler]
Russo lurches forward, dropping the gun in his hand to the floor (safety on first) he reaches behind the bar, grunting with pain and pulls a bottle of whisky down from a shelf, pulls out the stopper and takes a swig. He Grimaces as the bottle is replaced on the bar top, he moves to sit a bar stool leans over to pick up his pistol (some more grunting) he places the gun next to the whisky bottle and looks at his blood covered hand, as if contemplating something abstract.
"we got any aid kits around?"
-
Richard ignores his wound and puts his rifle back over his shoulder. "We can patch you up later, we need to leave before more Nazi's arrive."
-
"That's right; whomever is a good medic can patch us all up once we're a safe hidden distance away. Now, let's see...." Eisen crouches down and sees if he can tell whether all of his equipment is bunk, or if it was miraculously just buried beneath two Germans.
[spoiler]
Take twenty for a search check: 22. [/spoiler]
If anything's intact, calls out "Anyone able to help me with this chandelier?"
-
Max takes a short cut through the larger smashed back window, past the body of Nazi Fritz. He tracks blood across the pew as he stepped onto it. He peered out the window, tentatively at first. It was just as likely some Nazis could be still hiding, or about ready to show up to assist their Late comrades.
No Nazis. But he does see what looks like the party’s pack mules tethered together out back behind the Cantina in a grove of cieba and mahogany trees. Two familiar cowboy-hatted individuals could be seen peeking out from behind a tree near the mules.
The coast is clear and Max walks around the side of the building and located the fresh corpse of the Nazi who had just got shot to death just moments after Max had snatched his SMG out of his hands with a quick flick of his wrist.
The Nazi was dressed in his fatigues. And seemed to be equipped with the majority of his gear:
[spoiler]
Nazi Helmet
Nazi Fatigues (worn, bloodstained)
Nazi Fatigue Jacket
Walther P-38 (in holster)
MP 38 9mm submachine gun (on ground at side.)
4 spare box magazines
Tactical knife
Compass
Wallet w/ photos of dog his dog. There is money inside; German and Guatemalan both. Add a +4 to your WB.
A letter written in his native tongue is in his front jacket pocket.
[/spoiler]
Meanwhile…
Eisen lifts a corner of the heavy cast-iron chandelier with help from Bones who came at his call fro assistance. They shift the heavy metal wheel to the side just enough two clear the bag and parts of the crushed corpses. While Eisen checks his belongings*, Bones kicks at one of the Nazis who’s body sags inwards with every kick, like a sack of rotten potatoes. The sound of broken bones snapping more or grinding against each other is where Bones decided to draw the line.
He stopped and bent down to see if there was anything good on the men. He took 3 magazines off of dead Nazi at G-12. He tossed back a fourth because it was too dented. He removed the man’s Walther P-38 and the WP 38 smg as well as the man’s wallet.
* [spoiler]Your belongings are mostly fine, but 1 item is smashed. The good news is that I’ll allow you to select that one item.[/spoiler]
-
Max retrieves the submachine gun and the spare magazines as well as the money from his wallet and the letter. He places the dog’s photo on the corpse’s forehead using his blood to steady it. This is just a message to the rest of them who will be arriving soon. It seems like Max really hates those people…maybe because he has lost too many of his compatriots from them during his adventures, maybe because of the way they perceive the world, maybe for some other reason…who knows…
He then signals the brothers who are hiding behind the trees…his body language shows that he wants them to move immediately with the mules towards his position…
-
Peering through his belongings, and tossing aside the snapped and torn kit that used to be climbing gear, Eisen looks down to examine the ranks of the soldiers they had just put down. Having checked, he he pulls the string on the pack tight to close and then decides to go check on the mules. Once outside, and moving slower to be more comfortable with his rifle and pack, he eventually joins up with Max. "Anything that looks to be of any importance on them?..... Ah, a ....strong message, don't you think?" Eisen observes his compatriot, and in his puzzled look wonders just what the two might have personally in common over a personally common enemy.
-
“Extreme circumstances require extreme measures Eisen…I have been dealing with these kind of people the last 10 years of my life and I have seen, heart, tasted or felt some pretty nasty shit…they are not joking but neither am I…but I guess you must know better…”
“Well I found this letter written in german, you may have a look later on, when we are out of here”
“What about you? Did you check the rest of the bodies?”
-
John goes over to the corpse of nazi Hanz, searching for any useful gear as well as any possibly useful information.
[spoiler]Search: 14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2061717/)[/spoiler]
-
After gathering up as many canteens as he can carry, Loder goes out the back door and around to where Paco and Esteban are hiding and distributes the canteens between the animals, as well as the brothers. "Debemos apresurarnos antes de que vengan más nazis."
-
Richard ignores the bodies and goes to wait by the mules. After a quick glance at the equipment that the League provided them he shakes his head. What is he supposed to do with all of this useless junk?
-
While Kestrel checks the body*, Harrison gets his belongings together. "Come on Kid, don't feel sorry for yourself. Now isn't the time." He stuffs the wrapped burlap package from the Fortune Teller into his arms. "Come on, we need to be moving NOW." He said this to anyone listening.
Bones heads out the back door, the Kid trailing in his wake.
"Well, I'm glad to see you still have pack mules." he says to no one in particular.
* [spoiler]
Nazi Helmet
Nazi Fatigues (worn, bloodstained)
Nazi Fatigue Jacket (worn, bloodstained)
Walther P-38 (in holster)
MP 38 9mm submachine gun (on ground at side.)
4 spare box magazines
Tactical knife
Compass
Nazi's Wallet: Add +4 to your WB if you claim the mix of German & Guatemalan currency. Holds a photo of the dead Nazi and his girlfriend.
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]I pick up the weapons, magazines, compass and money. I'll update my sheet next monday when I have some more time available, I should really be heading home for diner now.[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/Picture3.png) [/spoiler]
"well sure sorry for bleeding...fori dell'asino" he mutters, lifts his shirt up to see the damage the lets it back down, wincing a little he collects his gun and takes a further swig from the whisky bottle before shouldering his pack and moving out the back door to the mules and the gear, he begins shuffling through for a bandage. finding the aid kit he takes the roll and quickly pads and wraps it round his waist and over the wound.
((treat injury?:17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2061898/)))
hastily he shuffles the box back together and thrusts it back into the pack, patting the mule on the flank.
"I should start charging by the corpse again..."
-
Russo has wrapped gauze around the wound, so at least it will be protected until he can get real medical help...
[spoiler]First Aid Kit
Available at most drugstores and camping supply stores, this kit contains enough supplies (and simple instructions for their use) to treat an injury before transporting the injured person to a medical professional. A first aid kit can be used to help a dazed, unconscious, or stunned character by making a Treat Injury check (DC 15). A first aid kit can be used only once. Skill checks made without a first aid kit incur a -4 penalty.[/spoiler]
Padre continues lamenting in Spanish loudly, as he rushes between the basement and the bar trying to fight the fire alone. Smoke billows out of the front door in a heavy black column that reaches into the sky. Visible for miles around.
Some of the locals have begun rushing towards the bar, most of them talking excitedly about the fire, but a small handful have begun to bring water from the nearby homes to throw onto the blaze with buckets.
Out behind the bar, closer to the tree grove, and relatively out of sight of the commotion the party gathers around the mules in preparation for their nearing departure.
"Are we ready?" Bones asks the group.
-
Richard nods. "We need to leave before more Nazis arrive. We can sort out gear once we are somewhere safe."
-
"Agreed, the longer we stay here the bigger the chance we get severely humped." Sgt. Kestrel concurs.
-
((oops my lack of knowledge about pen 'n' paper RPG's defeats me once more sorry :embarrassed))
Russo grunts his agreement "the fire will make a nice distraction, but what about your friend and the kid will they be alright? What were those Nazi talking about back in the bar about making people talk, sick bastards"
-
Before they depart, Max quickly gets back into the building from the window and collects as much sugar as he can from the bar…just in case…
-
"Padre was only an acquaintance. No offense to him, but I'm glad his place burned down. He was an asshole but I don't think the Nazis would bother with him." Harrison slips his backpack over his shoulders, and pats the boy on the top of his head, making the boy's hat crooked. "The Kid will be just fine. He travels with me. He goes where I go. Isn't that right Kid?" He gives the child a brotherly smirk. "Yeah, Max*. I don't figure the Kid was running with me the last time you was around. I met him in Tijuana two years ago.-- tried to pick my pocket." He turns to the Kid once again smiling, "And see Kid? Your fingers healed back all straight again, just like I told you!"
He lights a cigarette. "Ahhh kids, you gotta love them. They're so stupid, but you can't help loving the little bastards..."
"Alright gang, let's split." Bones leads you through the back grove of large tropical trees. Behind you you can still hear the shouts of excitement about the fire and the gunshots.
Across the northern section of town, where there is nothing but bushes and trees, you come out upon a well worn muddy road. The northern road. (location #10 on the Santa Boca map)
Travelers continue past you on their way into Puerta de Santa Boca for the town's market festival. Paco & Esteban lead the donkeys and horse, but continue looking over their shoulders. Bones has looked over his shoulder more than once.
"Okay, here's plan. Any minute we are going to have more Nazis on our asses than mosquitoes on a newborn. So I suggest that we ditch the road in favor of trekking through some serious undergrowth. Think of it as practice for when we hit the REAL jungle.
"The Nazis hopefully will rush down the road trying to catch up with us. Eventually, when they see no sign of us, they may give up and head back to town to decide what to do next. This can buy us some time.
"Now, this is just off the top of my head. If any of you guys have any other plans now's the time to pitch, cause I'm catching."
*[spoiler]Max found 3/4 of a pound of sugar under the bar, next to a 3lb sack of peanuts.[/spoiler]
-
Richard shakes his head. "No other plans, but I have a message for you. The Madame said that if you don't come back alive, don't come back at all." He then digs around in his pack and hands out the pouches she made. "And she has given us these, they are good juju but don't open them or they won't help anymore."
-
Loder takes the pouch and sniffs at it dubiously before slipping it into his shoulderbag along with the myriad of archaeology tools. "Gah, what a wonderful smell she's discovered!"
-
Eisen hastily takes the pouch and puts it in a pocket close to his heart; more than one crazy hermit had given him things that had saved his life before, and if nothing else, the padding couldn't help in the obviously targetable spot on his chest. The wound was shallow, and didn't hit anything major (or so it seemed), so he shrugged off the worst of it, dousing it with some of the "clean" water to try and wash the dirty blood away before going into the mules kits and breaking out a first aid kit*. A trek wasn't preferable, but it was better than another firefight. 'Oh, for the urban warfare again,' he thought. "A trek sounds livable; aggravated Nazi's are undesirable, indeed.
For a long time, Eisen seems quiet. Not like he's holding back, he just never seems to talk much at all, other than to suggest or affirm actions. But after a while, Eisen looks around to the group, and as if feeling like he should say something to build morale, just starts with a load of questions rapidfire. Anyway.... So, who is this Madame, what is this "juju," and what is in the package the boy seems to be clinging to? Conversation will make the trip go faster, and it's unlikely we'll be tracked by sounds, in this environment... with the town so close as well..."
[spoiler]Treat Injury: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2062858/)[/spoiler]
-
Max also gets Madame Dessalines’ pouch and ties it on his belt.
“What about the antiquities shop? Anything useful for us?”
………………………………………………………………………........................................
After about one hour of walking through the undergrowth Max suggest that the team makes a break to assist the wounded.
“Bones, we should be relatively safe from the Nazis now…I suggest we stop for a while and treat the wounded.” Max points him a spot on his torso which is covered by blood. My bullet-proof Jacket cannot do miracles my friend, the bullet still penetrated it.”
-
Bones talks while he and the Kid lead the group deeper into the underbrush. He’s got a machete in hand, and is making swift work of obstacles.
“I hope that Reggie didn’t forget anything. He’s been holding onto my Albert Dunning notes and ‘memorabilia’-- perhaps I’ll show you this stuff tonight when we get settled in to camp. We’ll need this stuff for certain. I’m quite sure that the Nazis, the League AND me are all looking for the same place. I’d love to get the opinion of those of you who fancy themselves archeologists.
“Madame Sarah Dessalines . She’s a voodoo Mambo, or priestess if you will. She and I have a bit of… history together. I asked her to prepare some of her special charms for us, and anything else she could think of that could assist me.
“That smelly little bag you all got is called ‘Gris-Gris’. It protects the wearer from evil or brings luck. Inside is a mixture of herbs, oils, stones, bones, hair, nails, grave dirt, and only God and Sarah knows what else. Even if you don’t believe in this sort of thing, what’s the harm in pretending you do, right? Just don’t start thinking that it will protect you if you fall off a cliff and shatter your leg or if you get filled full of lead by some vengeful Nazis. This sort of ju-ju can only help so much.”
He stops after about 15 minutes and whistles loudly. It’s a shrill high pitched noise he makes.
After a few moments there is a rustling in the underbrush.
“This guy is with me.” Bones says. “So don’t try shooting him. It may make him angry.”
A lanky native man steps into view. Lean, but with muscles like rope. He wore only a grimy pair of tan pants tied at the waist with rope. He bore an intricate tattoo of Mayan design over his right shoulder and part of his chest. He wore multiple piercings in his ears, as well as a ring through his nose, and a metal ball below his lower lip. His scalp was tattooed as well. He wore no shoes, and trod across the uneven terrain with ease. At his side how wore a leather bag hung from his shoulder by a strap. He wielded a machete in his left hand, while hefting a short spear in his right.
“Glad to see you found us, buddy. We had some problems with the Nazis.” The native doesn’t speak. Instead he just nods.
“Everybody, this is my man Pingo.” Pingo waves. “Now would be a good time to get patched up. I need to confer with my man for a few minutes."
He excuses himself by walking off from the group about 15 or so feet. He and Pingo gesture wildly together with their hands, but if they are speaking you cannot manage to hear them…
Eisen has wrapped gauze around the wound, so at least it will be protected until he can get real medical help...
ABOUT FIRST AID KITS:
[spoiler]First Aid Kit
Available at most drugstores and camping supply stores, this kit contains enough supplies (and simple instructions for their use) to treat an injury before transporting the injured person to a medical professional. A first aid kit can be used to help a dazed, unconscious, or stunned character by making a Treat Injury check (DC 15). A first aid kit can be used only once. Skill checks made without a first aid kit incur a -4 penalty.[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal-1.png)[/spoiler]
Russo takes his juju bag but eyes it distrustfully
"this really gonna help?" he asks nobody in particular but ties it to his belt anyway as Bones and the native converse.
He puts his pack down to checks his bandage and pulls his jacket out of his pack and puts it on, it'll get warm but he feels safer for the extra protection
((AC back up to 19, 14 FF))
he goes to pull his bag back on hesitates and instead but takes out a curved machete in a leather case and attaches it to his belt.
-
"Here, let me take care of that for you."
Dr. Loder unloads one of the medical kits from the back of a donkey and begins to treat each member of the group in turn, starting with Eisen.
[spoiler]
Treat Injury check to restore HP = 29
HP restored = 2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2064463/)
I'm assuming I can use these same rolls for everybody in the group, if I'm wrong, I'll post up the separate rolls for each person later.
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]I'll take 10 to Aid Another if that would get you 3 HP :)
I'll be back with IC-posting tomorrow, just don't have the mindset for it ATM, sorry.[/spoiler]
-
Bleeding under control, and the wound properly plugged, eisen looks down sore and hurting but glad. "Thank you, Doctor. I wonder what they're on about...." He eyes the two of them suspiciously; hopefully there isn't a further issue, another snag in the operation. And it started off so well in town, the MOST dangerous point he could think of. He tries to look over the gestures and the actions of the two, trying to get an idea of whether or not he should be worried**, if he should be putting together his trap bombs. With that reminder, he decides that at some point he should bring his supplies to Max, to see if anything more effective can be set.
[spoiler]Sense Motive: 12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2064756/)[/spoiler]
-
“Thanks a lot doc”
The doctor had just removed the bullet from his wound and treated it in order to prevent any chance of infection. Max seemed better…
“Eisen you should read this letter I recovered from the dead German…maybe it has some useful intel in there..”
-
Eisen takes the letter, opens it curiously, and reads:
((more to come once I've read it...))
-
"Say Eisen, have you ever heard of a Karl Dietrich? Supposedly he's the resident Nazi CO..." John asks his German companion as Dr. Loder treats the team's wounds.
-
Richard nods in thanks at Dr. Loder. He then starts digging through his new gear, taking some of it and putting it with the rest of his personal gear. The rest he either leaves on the donkey or throws behind him in disgust. He then goes off behind a bush to quickly change into his new fatigues, muttering about how governments always assign the most useless gear.
[spoiler]
In the piles behind him is: Foot Powder, Machete, Zippo, Flask, Swiss Army Knife, KBAR knife, Compass, Jungle Weapon Sling, Condoms
-
Eisen’s Sense Motive Result
[spoiler]You do not get the impression that Bones and Pingo are plotting your group’s downfall. Paying attention to them you DO realize that they were not actually even talking to each other they seemed to communicate strictly with hand gestures. Not really “real” sign language, it’s something more organic, and perhaps specific to these two men.[/spoiler]
Bones returns to the party with the Mayan native Pingo in tow. “Alright, Pingo let me know that not too much has been happening along the road while he had been waiting for us. He’d spent the time while I was in town listening to travelers’ gossip. It seems some villagers had past a couple of Nazi trucks two days ago heading inland. They definitely got a head start on us, but when we stop to make camp tonight, I’ll explain why I think we have an edge over them…”
Pingo taps Bones on the shoulder, and makes a clawing motion in the air with both hands. He has a broad smile on his face. Bones rolls his eyes. “Oh yeah, Pingo says that we had better watch out for ‘El Abuelo’.” Bones shakes his head. He clearly thinks that it's a ridiculous story. He notices Richard's cast off pile.
"I hope you've got plenty of dry socks. Without your foot powder, you run the risk of getting jungle rot on your feet." He bends down and grabs the condom box. "You don't mind if I take these, do you?"
Nazi Soldier’s Letter
[spoiler]
June 6, 1941
Puerta de Santa Boca, Guatemala
Dear Franz,
It is I, your favorite brother, Hanz! How goes the war? Are you still enjoying your time in France? If you get a chance to write Mutter, tell her that I am fine and will write her when we get back from Guatemala.
I miss being in the same unit as you, but this is certainly an interesting mission. Well, it could be interesting. It all hinges upon whether or not we are able to locate this forgotten city that is somewhere deep in the jungles here.
Oh! And the jungles smell worse than Großvater’s famous bratwurst. Even though I’ve been here for a little while now, I’m only JUST getting used to the horrible smell of the rain forest. It smells like a pig farm. It is literally nothing but a gigantic compost heap!
The first Gruppe departed for the jungles only a couple of days ago, and I’m glad. Herr Krouse the archaeologist from the Ahnenerbe SS and Hauptmann (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hauptmann) Karl Dietrich have both gone with them. I’m most please that the Hauptmann is gone though. He’s a bit difficult to get used to. Thankfully his 2nd in command usually delivers his orders. We’re all glad because we don’t like being around him. He’s just a cold individual. He treats us all like we’re incompetent and he tells us that we are worthless. He was rarely around anyway at least. He’s never around for more than 45 minutes to an hour, tops. He’s sadistic and cruel, and though there are many in our great nation’s military that share like traits, I have never seen a man that I have feared as much as Karl Dietrich. You never know though, I wouldn’t put it past Dietrich to kill any man woman or child in cold blood. I’m just happy that he doesn’t know my name.
As you can imagine, we aren’t looking forward to when our Second Gruppe is sent to join First Gruppe. I’d rather spend my time enjoying the sights, sounds, and tastes of this town.
Oh well, I must be going.
Your brother,
Hanz
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Perhaps a Knowledge check or something for Eisen to know something about Karl Dietrich (see my previous IC post)? :D[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
[spoiler]Perhaps a Knowledge check or something for Eisen to know something about Karl Dietrich (see my previous IC post)? :D[/spoiler]
I agree. I feel that this falls within the realm of Streetwise: Street and urban culture, local underworld personalities and events. Eisen's "streets" per se would also include knowledge about the German military, and various personalities that fall within.[/spoiler]
-
Richard eyes Bones. "I've been in the jungle since you were sucking on your mothers teat and I never had any foot powder, don't worry about me. I don't want any of this useless junk. As for their head start, you tell me what direction we're going and I can cut our travel time by half." A dark smirk crosses his face. "The jungle is my home, this is why I'm here."
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/normal-1.png)[/spoiler]
"I don't know most of this stuff seems kinda useful to me" smirks Russo sitting down and letting the good 'doctor' see to his wound.
"Thanks doc much better than anything I could do. So we patched up? we ready? If so what are we waiting for? any opportunity to avoid getting shot seems advantageous to me"
-
Bones gives Richard a sidelong glance. "Okay, pops. If that is why you're here, then we're heading to Orino Perro. Max said that was where you gang were going to try to find me. I'm pretty close to the village chief and his family and they're the one's who I left in charge of protecting my river boat.
"And as fast as you may be, we'll want to take advantage of the road, as rutted and muddy as it is-- we'll save the most time if we can take advantage of existing travel routes. It will take us long enough to cut our way through once we REALLY get deep.
"Once we get to the road again, I'm going to have Pingo trail us from a distance. He should be able to let us know if we have any krouts crawling up our tails."
Avery stuffs the condoms into his bag. "Alright. Let's get moving."
[[ Richard, a Survival Check please? ]]
-
[spoiler]
I take ten which gives me 28 which beats the DC of 25 to reduce our travel time by 50%. :P
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
[spoiler]I feel that this falls within the realm of Streetwise: Street and urban culture, local underworld personalities and events.[/spoiler]
Crap, of course a knowledge skill that I for some reason put no points in. Alrighty, well, I suppose I'll just roll, since taking ten is a 12, which would suck anywho. I'd prefer the 51% chance of higher or equal. :D
Knowledge; Streetsmarts: 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2066972/)
Son of a bitch! Alrighty, lemme see....[/spoiler]
-
Max follows the group. Meanwhile he is still interested in the letter
“ Anything useful in there Eisen?”
-
(http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2852/roadtoopbanner.jpg)
"Road to Orino Perro"
The terrain rises and falls with their passage. Exotic colorful birds scream as they pass below the heavy canopy. Soon though they arrive upon the muddy road, now miles to the north east of Santa Boca.
No other travellers could be seen, but long worn ruts in the road showed indication of heavy passage. Many of them going towards the port town.
Bones talks, cracking jokes and sarcastic comments. During conversation there was one thing that was certain... he fucking hated Nazis. Pingo offered not a single word. Still only communicating with gestures, that Bones usually would respond to in Yukatan or English.
The sky greyed and Bones suggested making camp off the road, up atop a flattened area atop a broad boulder. Pingo scouted the area, and Bones announced a nearby stream a half mile to the east.
"Alright. We'll camp here for the night. If anyone can make themselves useful, collect fire wood, make a fire, what have you I'd really appreciate it. In the meantime. I'm going to get my things in order. I have a chest of interesting items to show you. One of them being a VERY special map, drawn by a man named Albert Dunning."
Bones tells pingo to find some dinner, and the native disappears into the encroaching darkness of the jungle at night, shorts spears in hand.
"I have to appologize for Pingo's apparent antisocial behavior. You see he doesn't have a tongue. Cannibals ripped it from his mouth and ate it before I had a chance to rescue you him. I was too late to save his daughter or his wife unfortuntely. He's been with me ever since. A good honest man, if you can believe that of a savage! Hah! Max, you've heard me mention him quite a number of times I know."
[spoiler]
Eisen, a 12 isn't very spectacular. What you do know is that he is a man who gets results, and a personal favorite of Himmler's himself. He's known to be very neat, clean, and proffesional.[/spoiler]
-
Richard silently gets a fire going, then sets up his tent.
[spoiler]
Taking ten, Survival check 28 to do whatever. :p
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Eisen/Flay decided to roll, he got a 20 on the Knowledge check, not a 12 ;)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]^ What he said.[/spoiler]
-
Max helps out by collecting fire wood and setting up a nice fire at the centre of the camp.
Survival check (take 10): 17
The adventurer did not know about the story with Pingo and the cannibals…he feels quite sorry for him and his family…
“Is he going to be all right over there just by himself Bones?”
-
The usually socially reserved Dr. Loder perks up at the mention of a map by the mysterious Albert Dunning. "You have Dunning's map?! I'd love to get a look at it, I might be able to make sense of some of the landmarks."
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/drugged.png)[/spoiler]
Russo makes small talk with Bones during the trip, sharing comments and adventure stories as he can as the trip goes on Russo becomes noticeably more flustered and sweaty as more miles are put behind the group, when everybody finally stops he looks very relived and throws his pack down at the first opportunity to sit down where he can, he runs the back of his arm across his forehead looking exhausted.
he listens to the rest of the group and expresses interest when Avery pulls out the map
"Is this map what started this fool mission in the first place?" he stands up with difficulty and walks over
"can I see the letters?" he asks holding out his hand
-
At sundown predator and prey alike come out in full view to hunt or forage for their meals, often coming down to the rivers edge. Grasshoppers and caterpillars crawl out from under leaves and palm fronds, katydids chirp and munch away.
“We got lucky today. It should have been raining most of the day. Perhaps our Mambo gave us some good hoodoo after all…” Bones says.
Thick impenetrable jungles of vegetation created a heavy wall at the rear of the stone out-cropping. while there was still sunlight he road could just be seen through the trees seventy feet below. Richard and Max’s campfire was humble, but well made. They built it towards the rear of the boulder, near the heavy curtain of growth behind them. From below it was invisible.
Dusk provided excellent opportunities for observing animals. Howler monkeys roared from the trees announcing their territories over a resounding with chorus of booming voices & echoes. Bats dove in and out of the campfire's light, snatching insects attracted to the firelight. Not enough mosquitoes seemed to be eaten though, and soon everyone had been bitten a number of times. Bones swatting them away from an ear or his face. The sound of buzzing periodically loud in your ears.
"Yeah, Max. If anyone knows their business out in these jungles, it's Pingo. Born and raised. He's never been anywhere else. Though I have to admit I'd like to see more of the world someday. All I've ever seen is Chicago and a winding swath of the USA and Mexico that led me down to here.
"Remember the time we first met? It was on the deck of a steam ship, and the captain was giving you a piece of his mind about something, I don't remember... But you ended up knocking his block off, and the crew kicked us BOTH off the ship into the water! I had JUST met you, asked if you had any cigarettes!" Harrison laughs. It's a deep, warm sound. He pulls a metal flask from his vest pocket, and takes a swig from it. Then he holds it out to the group.
"Too bad the alcohol content of my blood doesn't kill the little bastards." he says, swatting a mosquito on his fore arm. "So...I heard the Government Issue Joe mention something about Karl Dietrich. What do you guys know about him?"
Harrison sits the wooden box from the curio shop on his lap, and begins to shuffle items around in it, looking for something.
He looks up at Russo's comment; "What letters?"
-
Rummaging through his worn shoulder bag, Loder produces the copies of the Dunning letters. "You mean these ones, Russo?"
"We were provided with copies of a few extant letters written by one Albert Dunning. If that map you mentioned is really his, we may be able to piece together a little more of his route, maybe find what he had found!"
-
"Hmmm... maybe." Harrison says, then muttering, "Dammit Reggie don't you know how to put anything back to where it belongs... Geez...
"The map I have doesn't show you how to get there, otherwise I would have likely found it already. If I can locate this bastard, I can show you what I mean, but really it's a map of this lost city itself. He was a rather talented artist it seems, he even copied down some Ancient Mayan Hieroglyphics... A lot of good THAT does us." He pulls out a small leather sack and places it next to him, then a shrunken head. Still no map.
"When the Italian is finished, I'd like to get my peepers on them letters as well. Does he describe his route in any detail? Perhaps Pingo or I may recognize some landmarks."
-
John sits quietly against the rock wall, cleaning his weapons to make sure they stay in working order in this hot and humid environment. He hadn't allowed himself any smalltalk so far, he wanted to make sure they were well out of range of any Nazis tracking them before indulging in such pleasantries.
"Only thing I know about this Dietrich fellow is what a hooker in town told me. Seems like a pretty damn coldblooded fellow, efficient and ruthless." the sergeant replies to Bones' question as he puts away his weapons.
"So, what brought you guys here? If we're going to work together on this we might as well get to know each other a little better." he continues after taking a swig from Bones' flask.
-
Russo takes the letters off Loader and huddles closer to the fire, swatting at anything that gets close, he listens with a half cocked ear to the conversation but his attention is on the letters, he flicks through them, reads them all twice and mutters something about missing his plane
he reads through the first one closely and looks up
"we know anything about any local villages around here? or maybe a river? thats the only thing I could glean for now, take a look" he passes the letters to Bones then looks to Kestrel, pulls a cigarette out of his pocket and lights it with the zippo
"Well I'm stuck here because the italian police are after me, made my trade illegal hoping to flush me and my friends out of the skies, they want to recruit some of us into the army, or throw others into jail" he clicked the lighter shut and put it into his pocket
"Ain't no way I'm fighting with those damn nazi, so I shipped of back to old Blighty, sold my plane back to my uncle, left my friends back in Italy..." his face darkens as he mentions friends a look of warm nostalgia and regret.
he takes the flask from John and swigs passing it down the line face still hanging with regret.
-
[spoiler]No more finals, I am FREEE![/spoiler]
Eisen, for the first time in a long time, smiles. "And yet somehow, Russo, you managed to wind up fighting 'those damn nazi's' anyway. Isn't life full of irony?" Eisen's nearly giggling, but to protect his manlihood we'll say chuckling, through the whole of it; well look, some of you might be thinking, he is a human being.
But right afterwards, his face does become sullen, almost saddened. "And 'the hooker' was right, Dietrich is just about the worst man to have near us, currently. He's a calm, cold Nazi of a man, got his start at ten and currently is just under Himmler, his special dog of war. The man hasn't ever failed a mission; I've tried to kill him once, the bomb plot failed and though he never learned who I was, they caught someone they thought was me. He's ruthless, cunning, and courageous; a real lion. You'll be able to tell it's him; he'll be clean, and he'll be directly in the front. Richard, if we ever do encounter him, I'd like for you to utilize your sniper history to end that man, if at all possible. Shoot his head, not his chest; I'm fairly certain he hasn't got a heart.
Anyways, we have an issue. The young soldier's letter says that the first group left a few days ago, and their higher-ups Dietrich and Krouse went with them. Thing is, Dietrich is a man known to treat his men with respect, they never able to tell if he is angry or not. But the letter states he's been calling them worthless, incompetent... something bad must have urged him forward. This boy was to be the second group, so either the groups are small and we just killed one... yes, that's unlikely... or the second group should be panicking back in town, and a messenger will be sent along Dietrich's path to inform him of us. Either way, we need to be careful, both for Dietrich, and whatever pissed him off..."
-
Richard sits on a log, taking care of his Rifle. "I'm here because except for Pingo I have more experience living in these conditions than all of you combined, because I love my country, because I've been fighting these damn Germans for too long, present company excluded, and because I've seen enough magic to believe that whatever these Germans are seeking is powerful enough to do some real damage."
-
"THERE it is... that sunuvabitch..." "Bones" Avery withdraws a folded and yellowed piece of paper from the chest. He passes it to Dr. Loder.
(http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9931/dunningsmap.jpg)
"I was worried Reggie had lost it for a moment there! Take a look at the back, see what I meant about Hieroglyphs?
[spoiler](http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/8531/dunningsmapglyphs.jpg)[/spoiler]
"I've been asking through villages, trying to find someone old enough who can still read it. No dice." He looks at the letters before he starts to read them. "These are the straight dope. Definitely Dunning's handwriting..." he trails off as he starts to read them.
The Kid comes up behind Bones' shoulder and whispers, "I have to go pee." Bones mutters something like, 'don't go far' and the Kid wanders out of camp, looking a little embarrassed.
-
As soon as Loder sees the Mayan glyphs on the back of the map, he drops to his knees as close to the fire as he can stand, and rummages almost hysterically through his shoulder bag for something. At last he produces a notebook, which he opens with shaky fingers. Leaning towards the fire to get as much light as possible, he begins comparing the glyphs on the map with various pages of his notebook. Mumbling under his breath, a few words slip through as his excitement mounts. "Uhh... Mayan king..." Flipping pages, "...magic disk? hmm..." paging through more rapidly now, "...defend? no, protect..." scratching his head, "...evil..." lost in concentration. "...god..." Frantically scribbling notes down on a blank page in his notebook, Dr. Loder seems oblivious to the presence of the others around him.
-
Bones bends towards Dr. Loder, "What... can you actually READ that gobbledygook? What it--" Bones is cut off by the sound of a young boy's shrill scream coming from the absolute darkness of the jungle enveloping the group. A low howling moan underscores the boy's terror...
Bones leaps to his feet, and rushes off towards the jungle, in the direction of the commotion. He turns a heavy metal flash light on and pulls his revolver from his shoulder holster. "Kid!"
-
his head snaps round almost nutting Loader in the head, he had leaned in close to Dr Loader as he was translating looking over his shoulder, though he had spent a long time in the adriatic it had not dulled his love of all thing ancient.
Russo stood up looking towards the cry
"the hell just happened!?"
-
Richard jumps into action. He grabs his rifle and runs off in the direction that the kid went.
-
John picks up his Thompson submachine gun and runs after Bones and Richard.
-
Max was admiring the map Bones just showed them until he heard the boy yelling..
“What the..!”
The adventurer picks up his submachine gun and follows the others
-
Looking up from his notes, Dr. Loder suddenly realizes he's alone as he watches Max run off into the darkness. "Uhh, guys?"
-
"don't worry doc, I'm still here" said Russo standing ready, gun in hand. He walks slowly towards where the others had barreled off but could no longer see them through the brush and darkness, he drew his machete and hacked down a couple of branches. Nothing.
"damn" cursing he stood where he was looking around for any other immediate signs of danger
-
Rushing through the vegetation, the trees crowded in, hanging low over your heads, lower branches easily reaching out into your path. Paying them little heed beyond a necessary dodge to avoid getting clobbered, you pursue Bones as he run just ahead of the group. Ahead one could just make out the bobbing motion of his flashlight, as he leads the rush through the darkness. The flashlight penetrates only a short distance into the forest, beyond which is unknown blackness.
Calls resound from the trees overhead, sound distinctly bird-like. Bones shines the flashlight up for a moment revealing two bright eyes among the glare. The owner, a kinkajou turns away and disappears higher up into the vegetation.
"El Abuelo! El Abuelo!!" the boy shouts frantically, from just yards ahead. You see the child, with his hands on his knees, breathing heavily, and sniffling. You see Pingo, with large leaves and fronds tied to his arms and chest, laughing in hysterics, and pointing at the Kid. Without a tongue, Pingo's laugh sounds ragged, and a bit hollow.
Bones his holding his flashlight on the scene, and is still gripping his revolver.
"HEY! Boob! Break it up, will ya! We ain't in ANY mood for your shenanigans." Bones says, his voice holds an edge like a sharpened blade. "We're tired. We've gotten shot at. The Kid got roughed up by Nazis, and you think it's a great time time be fooling with the Kid? Not tonight Pingo. Not tonight. You COULD have gotten shot by any one of us. You wouldn't think it was so funny then. Would you?"
Pingo tries to put on a berated expression, but he fails at stifling his laughter altogether. A chuckle escapes now and then. He motions wildly with his hands, in his unique form of sign language that only those closest to him know.
Bones makes clicking noises at Pingo with his tongue in return, and Pingo's expression turns sour. He gives Bones a grimace, and steps into the thick foliage around them. He pulls out the carcasses of two young boar, holding each in a hand by it's hing legs.
"Pingo says that he's sorry," Bones says turning back to the group. "He said that he came upon the Kid when he was returning, and he could not resist. It was bad judgment on his part. I'm sorry too, Pingo likes his jokes, but clearly he doesn't understand the sort of day we've had."
The Kid, mostly recovered, gives Pingo a dirty look and sticks his tongue out at him. A traditional child's taunt, given more weight by Pingo's unique circumstance. Pingo tosses the pigs at the kids feet, and makes the 'Clawing motion' that you have all seen that refers to the mythical 'El Abuelo'-- The Grandfather...
The Kid scowls, and picks up the two pigs. They are much heavier to him though, and he swings each over a shoulder. Pingo leads the return to the camp, swinging a machete in front of him. The group emerges again to the light of the campfire, and the curious expressions of Jon Russo and Doctor Loder.
-
Richard looks more disappointed than anything else, he has some thoughts about El Abuelo and would like to see if it is actually real. He sits back down on his log and returns to working on his rifle.
-
"Stupid sonuva..."
John mumbles angrily as he walks back to the groups' encampment, angrily cutting down any leaves and branches that are in his way.
-
Max cannot resist and laughs with Pingo’s joke but tries to hide it from the kid…He understand though that Bones was right…Pingo could have been shot dead…
He returns by the fire and informs the others of the joke
“Stupid Mr no tongue here frightened the kid...everything is fine lets get back to our subject…Doc any idea of what those glyphs are about?”
-
Shaking the concern and confusion from his face, Dr. Loder goes back to the translation like a distracted child returns to their favourite toy. "Well, you see... Uhh, this Mayan king was given some sort of... Magic disc by a god."
Pointing now to one of the indecipherable characters. "And see here, I'm not entirely sure, but I think this means order or command, I mean, there's no one I can ask to make sure, but if I'm right, then it means that the god commanded the king to protect the disc from evil..."
He trails off and looks up among the members of the group.
-
Richard looks at Dr. Loder. "Is that all it says?"
-
Pingo glowers at Max, but he continues tending to the meal. Roasting over the fire, the two baby boars sizzle and pop. He adds a little more wood to the fire, and he keeps watch on the boars' cooking progress. The smell of roasting boar is delightful and rich.
Bones is lost in thought, once again reading the letters that Dr. Loder had passed his way. The Kid wanders over to sit with the two porters, Esteban and Paco. He pulls out a worn deck of cards, and starts to deal.
The night is much cooler, but still the wet blanket of humidity hangs over everything. The mosquitoes have seemed to ease up at least. Above the fire, the bats still continue their swoops and dives from out of the darkness, snatching up a moth or other fluttering insect. The chorus of creatures out in the jungles is surprisingly loud. As loud as any city, and in truth is as densely populated as any city.
"I think I can find the 'Mission'." Bones says, almost to himself. He stands. "I can get us to the first landmark! The mission itself is long dead, but the buildings are still there. Some entrepreneur types have moved in. They sell second-hand goods and supplies to expeditions who pass along the river that way. Folks call it Machete Landing if they call it anything at all. I dropped a small group off there a couple of years back, and that was the last I saw of either. I don't get down that way too often... but now it looks like I have reason to change all that..." He trails off, rereading the letters as if some hidden fact would leap from the small handwritten pages, finding nothing else, he hands the pages back to Loder.
"Did you say 'Magic Disk'?" He smiles, "I knew there had to be some worthwhile treasure in that city if I ever found it."
"Did you say treasure?" the Kid pipes in from his game. Bones nods. "Fortune and glory, Kid. Fortune and glory..."
-
Eisen had slowly lowered his rifle from his shoulder and sat from the kneeling position he'd taken. As the group gets back, and he hears the reality of what happened, he starts to thinking. For a long while, barely listening to the Doctor's explanation of the glyphs he'd translated, Eisen moves over towards Bones, trying to be within close shot of Pingo when he says it. "Bones... Avery... whichever, can you tell me an actual story about Abuelo? There's so much we've been hearing that just blows it off, we have a basic idea. Is there a child's story to put it in traditional perspective? I know a lot of old German wolf stories, one could learn that... well, it's usually just best to gleam what you can from tradition... Surely, Pingo must know something..." Sure, it WAs unlike Eisen to think of this monster before thinking of the next day, but they had time. The pig would take a long while to cook, and they'd eat and strip what they could from it. He had time... and a curiosity...
-
"Yeah, I'm kinda curious what all the fuss is about as well." John adds.
"And what's the deal with all that sugar?"
-
Richard looks over at John. "All traps must be baited by something, the Nazi's and I know what to bait our traps with is all."
-
"I take it you've hunted Dracula and the Boogeyman as well?" John says somewhat sarcastically, but obviously intended as a joke amongst companions.
-
"An actual story eh?" Bones gives a smile, and gives Pingo's direction a brief look. "He's not in the mood to talk at the moment." He gives a wink. "So I'll speak for him. If I miss anything important he'll flip me the bird or something.
"First off, I don't believe in this 'El Abuelo'. This is all a bunch of bunk. But here's what I know; It's this massive creature, some kinda crazy pissed-off angry skunkbearsquirrelpig or something.
"Local natives believe it to be the incarnation of a cursed shaman that roams these jungles, ravenous for flesh and feeding off of wild boar and anything else it catches.
"It's body is like a great bear, covered with shaggy fur that seems to blend into the jungle around it. Its got long, sharp talons on each foot. Few have gotten close enough to see its face, but it is said that it has the face of a man crying out in agony, and that it has a second mouth on its belly. It is said that the creature possesses a great stench about it, emanating a foul odor as it moves through the jungles."
"RRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Pingo adds. Motioning to bones. Bones startled for a second continues, "Thanks, Pingo. Its bellow is loud, legendary in the Yucatan peninsula. But then again... All of it is legendary. A good campfire story, and that's about it. Don't get too riled up over it. We have greater threats ahead of us to contend with. If we can correlate Dunning's Mission with Machete Landing, then I think that we are going to have to travel into Xichachan territory." He gives Max a look, then looks over at Pingo who's pierced face holds a grim countenance.
-
"Xicha-wha?...
You'll have to excuse me Bones, but I'm not exactly a native, so I really don't know anything about this place."
-
"Xichachan-- cannibals..." He says in low tones. He shares Pingo's expression.
-
"You have to be shitting me...
Any way to get trough that area without winding up on the menu?"
John asks somewhat baffled.
"Cannibals? You've got to be kidding me..." he thinks to himself.
-
Bones shakes his head. "But it is an immense jungle. I shouldn't think we'd be bumping elbows with them on a daily basis. It's completely possible we could miss them all together, but I'm just letting you know what may be in store. I wouldn't be a very good guide if I didn't."
-
Max lights one of those cigars he bought from the market
“Xichachan Bones? It seems like history repeats itself my friend…”
“Well at least now we will be prepared…we are carrying some heavy firepower so I hope that will be enough to scare them off in case we will be so unlucky to encounter them again”
-
"Jesus not those cannibals again" Russo murmurs to himself, he stands up and moves over to the supplies, fishes out a wristwatch, which he straps to his wrist, a torch and a tent and pegs, "considering the circumstances, if it's all the same to you guys I'm going to be spending the night with Alessa and Heather over there" he motions to the two heavy boxy bundles of his wrapped in tarp "you know just so I don't get lonely" he cracks a trademark smirk and moves off with his baggage to a clear spot just inside the firelight to put up his tent.
-
Dr. Loder swallows to try and remove the dryness from his mouth. "Xichachan..."
The thought is so troubling that even the Mayan glyphs in his hand are forgotten.
-
Richard shakes his head and rolls his eyes. "Amateurs," he mutters to himself.
-
Wild baby pig is served, and the meat tastes incredible after the hiking of the past few hours.
"I'm going to to suggest getting some shut-eye. I'd like to get us started as early as we can travel in the morning. We didn't get too far outside of Santa Boca. Perhaps 6 miles or so before darkness came, so we have a lot of catching up to do. If we can keep up this sort of pace, with Richard's assistance, we can get to Orino Perro not tomorrow, but the following day. Probably closer to dinner time."
He get's a blanket out of his things, and puts his chest with its contents, near where his head will lay. "I'm willing to take a turn at watch tonight. I'd like to see us up and about in 8 hours, so let me know what you guys decide.
"You may have to kick me awake when it's my turn."
-
"Sounds good, I'll take first watch." John replies as he gets his blanket ready for when his guard is over.
-
Richard nods. "That's fine. I'll take last watch, whoever has watch before me wake me up."
-
Nudging Richard, after the man's mutterings, "Don't let them get to you; each to his own specialty. We just happen to have ours here," with an indication towards their respective firearms, Eisen wiping the detached barrel on his disassembled rifle with a rough cloth. But even Eisen was anxious. The part bothering him wasn't so much how there might be cannibals on one side and Nazi taskforces on the other, but the fact that it would take them so long to cross the jungle. It felt to him as though he was losing time; and Germans like to keep their worlds running like clockwork. The whole thought made him restless, almost angry, his face reflective of his feelings. "Whichever watch, I can cover the midnight fine any and all nights. Short rotating shifts, or long shifts over rotating days?" He had finished taking his rifle slowly apart, laying the parts out on his coat, and was now snapping most pieces back into place. Not a wonderful cleaning, but it had been wiped down after the short firefight it had been through. He had a good number of shots left; the one thing he had plenty of.
-
The night was uncomfortably sticky. Mosquito netting kept you from being covered in welts by morning. If you were to take a turn watching this evening, you found yourself concerned with the variety of noises surrounding the camp site. All of them stemming from creeping animals of undetermined origin.
No El Abuelo. No Nazis. No Cannibals.
Just the nearly impenetrable jungle, and the utter blackness that only the humble fire held at bay throughout the night. The Kid cuddled up to Bones in his larger tent. Bones cuddled up to his chest. Pingo, slept at their feet at a 90 degree angle to them. Like an inverted Pi symbol. His body lay between the door and his family. Down the slope a bit, Esteban and Paco pitched their tents close to the animals. The snores were proof of them sleep soundly.
Above bats could still be seen swooping out of the air above the fire, dining on an endless buffet of flying bugs.
It began to drizzle at around 2AM. A steady miserable thrumming upon the canvas of the tents. The sounds of crickets and frogs came from everywhere.
Sunday June, 8th 1941
Guatemalan Rain Forest
The morning sky began to brighten and the sound of strange and exotic birds added itself once again to the day. Rain continued to fall steadily.
Paco could be heard cursing in Spanish and motioning to the sky, as Esteban urinates behind a tree. The two of them gather closer to the fire. The Kid wakes up and makes idle chatter in Spanish with Esteban who laughs heartily at his jokes. Pingo steps out and begins to boil water.
[[ Nanshork, if you wouldn't mind including Richard's Survival Check for today's worth of travel within your next post. I won't make you guys sweat out every inch down the muddy road, but I will tell you guys about anything you encountered along the way. ]]
-
Dr. Loder wakes up with an explosive sneeze and thrashes about momentarily in a futile attempt to extricate himself from the mosquito netting. Looking like he hadn't slept more than an hour, he grins sheepishly at those who are watching him. "Takes me a day or two to get used to this."
After hastily bundling his things back together, he seems to brighten up and heads over to chat with Paco and Esteban, and trade quips with the Kid.
-
Bones crawls out of the tent, looking a bit disheveled... which is actually how he normally looks. He glances around the camp, wanders off into the underbrush, and takes a leak. "Ahhhhh!" he exclaims from behind a cieba.
Returning to the group, he glances at the hot water that Pingo has prepared.
"Who has got the coffee?"
He pulls a folded sheet of paper out of his front vest pocket, and approaches the Big Game hunter, "Richard, right? This is the map* of the immediate area. Normally cutting through the jungle between here... and here. doesn't save much time, but with your knack at Trailblazing I'd imagine that heading straight through might be the way to go.
"We'd be camping in about halfway, but it'd be good practice for what is yet to come. Don't you think?" Bones hands the map to Richard. "Besides, we'd avoid any Nazi element coming up behind us on the road. Keep that map if you want."
"Pingo's going to be out ahead with Richard today. Unless I he has reason to disagree with me we're going to be cutting across a strip of jungle to try and get to Orino Perro faster. The trip normally takes about three days or so, last night we barely got out of Santa Boca. I think that if we push hard, and luck is with us, we can be enjoying the hospitality of my friends, the friendly villagers of Orino Perro by tomorrow night.
"The weather is against us men. But then again, it almost always is out here. Suck it up. Get used to it because frankly we ain't got no other choice. Tonight you're going to want to use that foot powder, a dry pair of socks, and the fire to dry your boots.
"Now... about that coffee..." He says looking for his battered tin cup amongst his belongings.
*See the one posted OOC actually :D.
-
Richard takes the map and studies it. "Avoiding Nazi's is our best bet, if nothing else cannibals are easier to deal with. I'll find us a good place to camp and we'll lose any Nazi's, don't worry about that." He seems somewhat excited, glad to be doing what he knows and in the thick of the jungle. He then glances at Bones and says, "How will Pingo talk to me if he spots something?"
[spoiler]
Taking ten on survival and getting 28.
[/spoiler]
-
Once Max wakes up he grins
“Welcome to the jungle again, stupid Max”
Survival check for today’s journey (take 10): 17
Spot check for today's journey (take 10): 15
-
Eisen wakes, quickly dresses, and for a second thinks of taking out a sharpener, a knife, and some water for a shave, but decides against it. His beard never grew quickly after all, and they'd be in a town soon enough... apparently. He does take time to comb back his hair, before getting up, unpacking his tent, and joining in conversation with the others, just as they were going over the route with Richard. He stays quiet; his place wasn't in getting through the jungle; really, he'd probably served his most use with the Nazi's at port. Listening attentively, especially at the mention of foot powder and socks (reminiscent of France, a long while back, camping in the wet countryside), he simply waits to be addressed, if at all. When noone says anything, he merely gives a broadly aimed "Good morning" to the group, looking to see if he can assist in any way, and against his better judgment, takes a cup of the coffee.
[spoiler]
While on the hike, Eisen keeps an ear out for any and all odd noises (though a lot is odd to him...), and also (observing Max's attentive action) aids Max's spot checks by looking where Max can't, covering blind spots.
Listen Check: 22 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2089749/)[/spoiler]
-
A series of clicks and then a zip alerts the company to Russo's disheveled emergence, he combs his hair hastily and begins to remove everything from inside the tent and put the thing away, being careful to make sure his cup is not inside.
-
“Richard, Pingo will give you a Wolf Whistle if he needs to get your attention.” Pingo demonstrates his ability to whistle in perfect pitch.
He gestures to Bones and gives him another whistle, this one like two whippoorwill calls back to back.
“What’s that for?” Bones asks.
Pingo gives the clawing motion, or “Monster Hands” that locally is associated with the mythical Grandfather. He smiles broadly.
“Good grief.” Bones mutters. “Anyway, the only thing we will run into out in the forest itself are animals. We shouldn’t need to worry about Nazis. Until then, keep your ears open. If you hear the sound of an automobile or truck, let the group know. We may need to get of the road."
The menu of the morning is rations (take note in you inventory, unless you aren't having any breakfast) and the group eats while standing around what is left of the fire. The coffee was bitter, but the caffeine helped perk some party members up.
Soon the group got underway, Pingo stayed near the front with Richard. Max hung back near Bones who traveled with the main group.
You took the road for the first leg, and the group made excellent time thanks to Richard’s Trailblazing ability, the leg first leg of the day’s journey was along the rutted and winding muddy road. Richard drove a hard pace, and the group managed to cover an amazing 19 miles in just around 4 hours. The group kept close, each man responsible for his own mule.
During the time along the muddy road, Max and Bones talked about Orino Perro, and the good times they had drinking with the chief’s son, Muta. His mother cooked some of the best river fish they had ever eaten. Bones remembers eaten at least 5 ears of corn that night.
"That’s the night you stole my hat." Bones grimaces. "We were playing poker, and Muta convinced the barkeeper to serve the villages really strong really nasty jungle moonshine… I don’t remember a thing after that. Do you Max?”
From there they entered the forest by crossing a muddy field, some sort of aborted that ran adjacent to the muddy road. Richard had found a small winding trail that took a more northerly path. It seemed an old hunting trail.
-
Richard enjoys the company of Pingo. There are no annoying questions or unimportant small talk. Pingo seems to understand the jungle almost better than Richard himself, and so he respects him.
Richard occasionally checks the map and thinks to himself, then heads off again. He's always had a knack for finding shortcuts and getting people where they need to go, he served as a jungle guide in the depths of Africa.
He tunes out the chatter behind him, keeping his attention focused on getting where they need to go and being on the lookout for danger.
-
"So after we reach Santa Boca, how long will it take us to get to whatever it is we're looking for? Bones? Doc? Either of you have an idea?" John inquires, looking back for a second or two, as he cuts away low branches and follows Richard and Pingo.
-
"Well, I'm not exactly sure, seeing as how nobody's ever seen or heard about it since Albert Dunning went there and disappeared. Perhaps with both the map and letters in our possession, as well as some help from our guide here, we have a chance to get there."
Loder picks his way through the underbrush, following the others closely. His machete still looks brand new.
-
The drizzle and trees partially obscured the sun, but it was still disgustingly hot. Shirts soaked through with rain-mixed sweat; hair clinging damply to foreheads.Those of party wearing their hats kept their faces dry. Other would have to continuallu wipe at their faces with a handkerchief or rag.
Bones traveled carrying his Thompson pointing muzzle straight up. Over the bore hole of the barrel, a condom has been unraveled and draped over, like miniature rain slicker. He gave Richard a wink, which of course was met with a stern glare. He and Pingo were too far ahead, but whatever Richard muttered had Pingo laughing and slapping a thigh.
"What?" Bones asked Pingo. Pingo smiled and gave him the gesture of Monster Hands.
Bones shook his head. He cupped his hands "Just because you British are used to running around in jungles with your own personal native-servants doesn't mean you can take mine!!" Richard, who MUST have heard didn't dignify it with any sort of response.
The path was packed dirt, with thick jungle growth on either side. Big-leafed plants, vines, creepers, trees straight out of a Tarzan comic book. It was dark beneath the trees, and difficult to see very far into their midst, but every now and then you could hear things crashing about in the foliage. Birds, maybe, startled by your approach. There was a lot of cawing, and a steady locust-like throbbing underneath it all that could suddenly, for no apparent reason, fall silent.
As night approached, Richard and Pingo selected an area sheltered on one side by a steep boulder. Max and Kestrel got the fire started. Spirits were low thanks to the constant drizzle, but under some heave leafed trees and the boulder, you managed to find a decent spot to camp.
By the time it was set up to everyone's liking, it was dark. The campfire, larger now that the group was so far from the road, and so far away from any random Nazi patrols.
The kid was beat, and went to go rest in his tent before Pingo returned from his second night of hunting, the group now more wary than before.
Paco and Esteban have a second campfire over near the animals. Esteban is playing a harmonica softly, a low mournful tune.
Bones falls in next to the fire, and takes his boots off. He removes his wet socks, and dries his boots near the flames. His socks he hangs from sticks driven into the mud. After awhile he powders up his feet, and leans back to relax to enjoy the fact that they were no longer traveling for the day.
"From Orino Perro Sergeant," Bones says, answering an earlier question posed by Kestrel. "it will take us a day and a half traveling by river to get to this Mission of Dunning's.
"How many days of travel do the letters cover? What are the dates?" Bones inquires.
-
Checking the letters again with one boot off and the other halfway undone, Loder responds. "Um, the first one we have is dated the 17th, and the last one is... The 21st. That's four days, but we have no idea how long he continued after that."
-
As soon as camp is made, like clockwork, Eisen sets up his tent, his mesh, and begins work on cleaning his guns. He noted the condom-topper that Bones had given his Thompson, but Eisen, carrying his rifle point down where the handle was more accessible to raising from the hip, hadn't bothered, and now cleaning his gun regretted it. "My one misunderstood mistake in this was not taking a hat. The fatigues cap does little for the heat...." Taking note of Bones' sock-racks, he copies like a monkey, doing it the same way, with not a slice of variation of steps. Placing his handgun next to his rifle parts and his cleaning tools, Eisen in an offhand fashion asks "so, did we make any decent bit of time today?" In truth, Eisen was thinking of how he might have preferred to sabotage and assault the nazi's, like he did back home, while the group traveled, but only because, in his present state, he felt useless. It was reflected in the restless and irritated look on his face, eyes focused a little too intensely on cleaning his weapons. Once they were clean, together, and loaded, he wrapped the rifle in the fatigue coat that smelled of clean oils and black powder, and placed the handgun in it's holster, taking out his knuckles almost half-consciously, staring into the fire while his fingers played with them.
-
Russo looked exhausted, there were no sly comments, his smirk had vanished, the dead man's march had obviously driven him much harder than he was used to and he was suffering for it, looking closely one could see the pinched expression and haggard look in his eyes.
The exhaustion was only half of it. He felt useless. Utterly. he trailed behind the rest of the group, batting at leaves half heartedly with his machete or hands, he ha changed into his fatigues supplied by the league but had no hat and so spent most of the time wiping his face with his scarf which became soaked almost immediately. His mule was also very uncooperative, more than once he had needed Paco or Esteban to chivvy the damned thing along when no amount of pulling from him could shift the creature, it had tried to bite him on a number of occasions and he had had to swat it's muzzle away solidly.
All in all this was just not what Russo was used to, he was used to being alone, the ace of the Adriatic up high in the clouds over the med and Adriatic, soaring over Italy and living on his own little island only visiting civilization when he needed fuel for his plane, guns or himself and only when he felt like company from a certain someone. He missed her terribly, she must be worried sick for him it had been almost a week since he had made contact with her and longer since he had seen her...
snuffing out his thoughts forcefully Russo put up his tent with heavy motions placed his baggage inside and copied Bones and Eizen's ritual looking grave.
"we going to start any of archaeology business soon Bones or have I wasted a trip?" he murmured attempting a joke, while he had been walking he had been trying to recall some of his history lessons in mayan civilization and he had realized he had had known little but possibly enough to assist Loader in anything he needed or make his own judgments but he knew next to nothing about the language and could only make guess work at the writing from what he knew from his intense study of Egyptology and the Semitic writings.
"I hope we can get somewhere soon, this jungle is doing nothing for me at all"
-
"We start the 'Archeology stuff' once we find the city. And I have something you may find interesting Doctor Loder. Here" Bones passes Loder a folded page. "Try to keep it dry if you can.
"We did a great job covering ground. Richard IS here for a reason after all I suppose. We managed to double our ground covered, and despite the thick vegetation, we should actually be arriving in Orino Perro by late morning or early afternoon."
Loder reads the letter aloud:
Guatemala
Saturday May 28, 1922
Dear Mother,
We have been in this amazing ruined city now for three days. I had been impressed with the last site we were at a week ago, the small ruins with the stream running through it, now I have a multi-tiered Mayan city, built through a winding ravine at the base of a mountain. Instead of a stream, a river flows forth from a stone serpent’s open mouth.
We have made camp within the crumbling walls of a palace, within the central courtyard. It would seem a fairly defensible position should we have any encounters with jaguar or hostiles. It’s located in an upper crook of the ravine. Outside a Stone Arch. A long crumbling building with many doors sits atop a platform with stairs facing a tall stone pyramid. The southern front corner of the pyramid has crumbled over the years of neglect as the jungle as taken it over.
You have never seen its equal mother. This is why I left home and came to Guatemala. Already my talent with art has been a boon to this expedition. I’ve begun work on a series of map illustrations of the city. It will have to be done in parts because of the sheer size, but I am told that we will be setting up a more or less permanent camp here as we discover and uncover more of the city.
The river winds its way through the center of the city, its path reminiscent of a snake. Which is probably why the ancient people had done the carved stone snake head sticking out of the cliff at the very rear of the city. And speaking of carvings! The cliff walls of the city are carved to depict enormous scenes of warfare and of hunting. Cliff reliefs showing kings or pagan gods standing at least fifty feet to eighty feet tall. Unimaginable skill.
The group is now set to doing our own tasks. I am able to wander around as I please exploring, drawing and making notes in my journal. Finegan is working closely with Macgregor as they are trying to pry open a stone door at the rear of the palace. They think it’s a treasure vault, but I’m not so sure. The expedition’s preacher Father Kurt has taken a great interest with their work, and offers them encouragement and sweetened tea which he makes for everyone. Father Kurt loves it sweet and tells us that this is the way his grandmother made it back home in Alabama when he was growing up as a boy. Everyone has taken a liking to it, and the extra sweetness gives us a much needed pep in our step.
Anyway, I must go. I will write more!
I love you! Your son,
Albert
"One week earlier... " Bones says to himself, trying to do the maths.
-
About this time Pingo steps out of the curtain of jungle surrounding the camp. The foliage so thick he literally stepped into view. There was no gradual, oh, here comes Pingo... And Pingo is carrying this large dead animal by its fur-- an adult boar. Large dangerous looking tusks. Thick wiry black fur. Mud caked hooves.
He nods to the silent group as they peer over Doctor Loder's shoulder to read the letter.
"Niiice." Bones says congratulatory.
Pingo smiles broadly, and walks over the the tent where the Kid was currently resting. He creeps up the last few feet, pokes the snout of the boar towards the front of the tent, then is a sudden rushing motion jams the front of the dead boar into the tent, yelling "AAARARRARRAAAAARRARARAAARARARARARARRAAAAAAAR!"
A shrill scream can be heard come from inside the tent. "El Abuelo! El Abuelo! El Abuelo!"
Chuckling Pingo removes the boar's head, and carries it over to where he is going to prepare it. The first cut with his machete is enough to make most of you turn their heads. It's one thing to eat something, and its another thing to watch how it is prepared sometimes.
After a few moments the Kid crawls warily out of the tent glaring towards Pingo. "That's not funny." His voice sounds a little dazed.
-
Loder chuckles at the tongueless man's antics and goes back to studying the map and letters, pointing inane details out to anyone who will listen.
-
"Say, Bones, Richard. I don't want to but in on your territory, but aside from swatting aside a few branches and keeping an eye on our gear, is there anything else I can do to help?" John asks the men as he watches Doc study the map and letters.
"I kinda feel like I'm not really doin' my part, know what I'm sayin'?" He continues as he, just like Eisen, meticulously inspects and cleans his gear and equipment, having taken note of any useful tricks Bones and Richard have used the past day or so.
-
"Is there anything you can do?" Richard asks bluntly.
"What Dick is failing to put politely, is besides shooting at Nazis can you hunt? Pingo is pretty skilled with bringing home the bacon, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind the company next time out." Bones pulls a cigarette from his pouch and lights it up. He sucks in the tobacco and holds it just for a moment before exhaling the smoke through his nostrils. "We'll be on the river tomorrow evening after we stock up a bit at Orino Perro but after we reach Machete - er- the former Mission, we'll be back to hunting and eating rations once again.
"Pingo can't take everyone, perhaps different groups on different nights?" Bones suggests. "Also, depending on how things are across the river with the cannibals, we may just want to start eating those rations exclusively. They'll be attracted to the smell of fire and cooking. We don't want to end up the main course."
-
"Well, I'm pretty decent at remaining undetected by my enemies and my spotting skills are up to par, so I might be able to give Pingo a hand if he's okay with that." John answers as he continues his work.
"Two problems with that though. The first is communication and the second is that the noise of my gun might alert those cannibals or the Nazis." he ponders.
-
"i'll just take a nap or two, brush up on what I can remember from London and sit here cleaning my weapons while the rest of you are out hunting" Russo zips down his now finished tend and puts his large machine guns inside "without about half a tone of wood, metal and oil bearing me I'm sorta a dead weight when it comes to hunting"
-
"Say, does Pingo have a couple of extra throwing spears?" John asks in a moment of clarity.
"As for the communication issue, in the military we have a couple of hand signals to describe certain actions. With your help, Bones, it shouldn't be too hard to set up something similar for me and Pingo if you and him are okay with that. Waddayasay?"
John seems envigorated by these ideas as he puts his gear in his tent and takes a piece of boar meat.
-
About this time Pingo whistles to Bones to get his attention, then gestures to him. Bones nods, and throws some more wood on the fire.
Long strips of Boars are sliced off, and roasted over the fire on long stakes-- The meat smells delicious and afterward you are surprised to see much less of the boar carcass left.
The group rotates the watch for the evening, and those who have been left awake are given the task of continuing cooking-- Greasy meat for future consumption.
Bones and the Kid have wandered off to bed. Both Esteban and Paco are snoring away in their tent. Pingo continues to help with stripping and cooking the boar. He looks at Bowen in response to his query about the spears. He motions to his own chest with a thumb, and holds out 3 fingers. Another stab with his thumb towards his chest.
-
The evening was calm. Plenty of animals moved about, but none had any particular interest in you.
Monday June, 9th 1941
Guatemalan Rain Forest
The morning sky began to brighten and the sound of strange and exotic birds added itself once again to the day. The rain was sporadic this morning. Stopping and starting suddenly.
Esteban stretches as Paco urinates behind a tree. The two of them approach the fire. The Kid wakes up and sits on a log poking a stick into the embers of the campfire.
Pingo steps out and begins to boil water to make coffee.
-
Loder tried in vain to shrug the sleep from his body as he staggered towards the fire. Hopefully the coffee would do the trick. The last few days of trekking through the jungle and sleeping on the hard ground had taken their toll. Not even the Dunning letters could grab his interest at this point.
Mumbling something incoherent, Loder begins playing with the sticks in the fire, letting the warmth seep into his tired body.
-
Richard gets up and looks around, taking stock of the camp. He is obviously fully alert, looking as healthy and well rested as he did while on the ship. He gets some pieces of the boar from last night and eats them for breakfast as he ponders the last leg of the trip.
-
After grabbing some meat from last night John approaches Pingo.
"Can you teach me how to hunt?" he asks, picking up one of Pingo's javelins and making a throwing motion at what is left of last night's boar.
-
Richard and Max took the lead today. The two forging a path forward.
Pingo hung back with John Kestrel during the morning showing him how to handle a spear, and teaching him a couple of hand gestures as well. Along the way John managed to spear a big greasy jungle rat.
:clap
There is a coughing scream from farther west of your position. It's a shocking for a moment, only because out of all the over-laying sounds of chirping, screeching, buzzing... this sound was new.
When someone in the group asked what it belonged to, Pingo responded with the gesture for "Monster Hands" with a smirk.
"It's a Jaguar." Bones answered. "Pingo. That joke is getting played out. Give us a day at least. Alright?"
Richard announced that the village was close. The group stepped out of the wall of foliage, and out onto a muddy road. The same road that you would have been on had you followed it from Santa Boca.
No Nazis in sight. But three sets of tire tracks led to around the bend back towards the coast. The tracks were deep ruts and indistinct in the mud. The muddy of the road smelled just awful.
A tall, narrow-chested mutt had come trotting quickly up the muddy road towards the group, tail aggressively raised. It stopped just short of stone-throwing range and paced back and forth for a few minutes, barking and growling. The sun was too hot for this sort of behavior, though, and eventually it fell quiet, then lost interest altogether and drifted back towards the village, collapsing into the shade beside on of the shacks.
The walk to the village outskirts was brief. It was just after 11:37 AM that Monday morning.
(http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8053/dpphoto.jpg)
"The Mystery of Orino Perro"
Orino Perro river village
Guatemala
The village consisted of perhaps thirty flimsy-looking buildings, nearly identical in size and appearance. One- and two-room shacks, most with thatch roofs. Approximately 20' x 20' each.
There were a couple of goats about, some chickens, but no sign of any mechanical equipment; no tractors or tillers. No cars or trucks. No power lines could be seen anywhere.
Also absent was the presence of people.
The dog reappeared, the one that had been barking at the group earlier. He emerged again but with an entirely different demeanor. Tail wagging, tongue hanging; a friend. The tail wagging intensified, the entire rear of the mutt swinging back and forth. The dog was covered in ticks. Dozens of them, like so many raisins hanging of its belly; fat, blood-engorged. Others could be seen through its pelt.
The road widened as it entered the village, becoming something more road-like. The shacks lined either side of it. Brightly colored blankets hung over some of the doorways; others were open but equally unrevealing, their interiors lost in shadow. The chickens scampered, clucking. Another dog appeared joining the first, the two of them nipping at each other. The second dog was grey, wolf-like. He had one blue eye and one brown, which gave his gaze an ominous intensity, though by its body language it was a friendly as the first.
Still no one. Save for the live stock and the dogs, the village seemed to be empty.
"Well, this doesn't look good." Bones says. It was a sarcastic comment, but sincerity rang in his voice.
"Pingo, come with me. Kid, stay with the group. Max, you've been here that one time we came here drinking. Not too much has changed. There's the 'Grateful Goat' tavern down past the town's well. To the south of that is the river and the dock. To the north of the Goat is the chief's house and the church. See if you can find anyone and find out what happened.
"Pingo and I are going to go get my riverboat The 'Halcon' from where we left it moored. We'll bring it back to the dock, and we'll come looking for you."
"Okey-dokey!" The Kid says agreeably. The duo disappear between a couple of shack-like homes, and are gone.
Paco and Esteban hold tight the reigns of their animals, and look extremely nervous. "¿El doctor Loder?" Paco asks, "¿Es todo fino? No vemos a ninguna gente. ¿Usted piensa que el abuelo ha venido para ella?"
-
Orino Perro Map
[spoiler](http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3914/orinoperro3d.jpg)[/spoiler]
Places of note.
28. The Grateful Goat tavern
26. Village Chief's home
29. The Dock
-
Stopping alongside Paco, Dr. Loder suddenly looks worried. "¡Usted está correcto, allí no es ninguna gente aquí! ¿Adónde fueron?"
Loder unsnaps his holster nervously as he speaks to the remaining group. "Where are all the people?"
-
Eisen was a step ahead; though he had no idea what they had said to Loder, he had been thinking the same thing. This village was too many days travel, too populated (a whole thirty buildings, at least, was too large), too unlikely to be abandoned. The whole thing seemed very... well, if there had been any apparent damage to the town, it would have looked very much like France. The whole time, Eisen had been intently listening to his surroundings, trying to hear for the sound of a single person*. The hostile dog? Didn't seem good; a dog would wait for its master until it died, even he knew that. They wouldn't leave without it; what if the nazi's had come through blazing? But then, where was all the damage?
Deciding that it was too risky to just sit and talk, Eisen starts looking for a suitably large building, but noting that they were all pretty much the same, Eisen decided any would really do. Pointing to the nearest one, Eisen looks to Richard; "I don't want to sound like I'm giving orders, but would our resident sniper like to jump up on that roof and tell me if he can see anything... odd, maybe?..." His voice trailed, as he swept the visible perimeter slowly; he was already cautiously checking his surroundings* to make sure nothing obvious came out at him. "I hate the whole look of this..."
[spoiler]
Spot Check: 24 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2099364/)
Listen Check: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2099363/)[/spoiler]
-
"I don't like this one bit..." John mutters as he grips his SMG.
"Waddaya guys say we find a safe place to park our gear and rest a bit? I think we're all pretty exhausted by now."
-
Russo keeps up as best he can still lagging from the day's trail, and on edge despite his exhaustion, he aims a half hearted kick at the tick ridden dog but leaves the second one alone.
"This place isn't quite as welcoming as I had hoped" he says out loud catching up to the group, walking past them and unbuttoning his holster, "relax doc, wait until the bullets start flying to get jumpy" he pats loader on the shoulder in a friendly if forceful attempt to calm him, he whispers in his ear as he walks past though still staying behind Eisen
"if you do spot anything even more unusual, stay calm and alert somebody with a bigger gun than you"
He casts his eyes around, not seeing any direct sign of conflict was making him edgy, it was far far too quiet for his liking and the jungle seemed to deaden all sound, buildings obstructed his sightline an uneasy feeling creeping up his spine like an insect.
"Don't worry, if it keeps us alive and healthy we don't mind taking orders one bit"
[spoiler] spot: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2099639/) listen: 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2099639/) [/spoiler]
-
The drizzle begins to lighten up in time for lunch, but the black gnat clouds make a return.
Someone with a bigger gun-- Richard-- nods to Eisen's suggestion and makes his way through the muddy street, and towards shack #12. He peers inside the open door, then climbs up one side using stacked firewood, and onto the roof. He keeps his silhouette low to the thatching.
You can see him peering through a pair of binoculars. That long rifle of his beside him. After a few moments of scanning what he can see of the village. He looks back to the rest of the group and gives an "all clear" gesture to those of you who are familiar with military hand signs ;). He then indicates that he sees a larger structure near the opposite end of town.
He doesn't leave the roof, though. He continues to peer down towards the rest of the village, and though his rifle isn't being pointed downrange at the moment, he has shifted it into a ready position. All clear or not, Richard is ready in case things don't remain so.
To the rest of you, the town doesn't look battle-damaged in anyway, just... empty.
No faces peer from the windows or doorways. Nothing from the jungle that surrounds the village either. Beyond the heavy layer of noise that almost always accompanies you from the jungle animals the village is quiet.
[spoiler]
I'm also going to say that as you arrive, you find that you are exhausted (http://12tomidnight.com/d20modernsrd/Conditions.php) from the exertion of traveling Richard & Max's trail. Please read the description in the link prior if you are not familiar with the condition.[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Ah, WELL... that changes things![/spoiler]
Satisfied, Eisen squats down next to the hut Richard is on top of, placing his rifle in his lap and running his hands through his hair. Replacing his cap, he realizes just how tiring the whole experience had been, and decides that he should at the very least rest a bit, try to regain some composure. "Russo is right, Doctor. We should all just calmly try and wait for a signal from Bones; keep alert, but by all means take a rest, try and regain some energy. Anyone in objection to moving into one of these huts, just to keep ourselves a bit more hidden?" Taking his own advice, Eisen moves inside of Building #12, parking himself near the window (or door, if there isn't a window). Relaxing ever so slightly, Eisen stays leaning against the wall, keeping his eyes on the road they'd come from.
-
“Great…and I though we would be relaxing and drinking in the Grateful Goat tavern or having a nice chat with the chief…now something is wrong and we may have to start shooting people again” Max mutters to himself while he checks his submachine gun.
The adventurer checks his surroundings and carefully scans the area for any possible evidence of what happened…his precision to detail has kept him alive all those years...
“Eisen, Richard cover me”
Investigate check (take 20): 28
-
Dr. Loder looks around for a suitable place in which to hide the mules and baggage.
-
[spoiler]Edited previous post :)[/spoiler]
-
Eisen goes inside building #12. Inside, past the hanging blanket in the door, he isn’t surprised to see a hard packed dirt floor. There is one window per side of the house except for the side with the door.The furnishings are spare. A wooden table. 3 stools each made from a section of cut log. A simple wooden bed with a lumpy mattress covered in colorful woven blankets, a hammock hanging in the corner. On the floor in the center of the shack a fire pit has been dug. It is currently filled with the ashy remains of its last use. A wooden toy, carved to look like a dog lays on the floor nearby.
Richard keeps his eyes trained for movement as Max makes his way through the muddy road he pokes around at the tracks, examines various footprints. He stops and kneels for a moment, then looks down towards the center of town, near the well and the Grateful Goat tavern.
Loder realizes that he may be able to fit the mules either into one or two of the shacks.
[[ Won’t the villagers be pleased when they come home? :P]]
John and Russo look around the village from their vantage points, and don’t notice anything.
[[ May I get a LISTEN check from everyone? ]]
-
"Let's get these mules out of sight."
Loder turns to Paco, Esteban, and the Kid. "Paco, toma el Kid y tres mulas y entra ese edificio. Debemos permanecer ocultados hasta que sepamos qué está sucediendo. Esteban, vamos."
Dr. Loder and Esteban lead the other half of the mules into one of the empty huts across from where the men with guns went.
[spoiler]
Paco and the Kid take their mules to hut 3 while Loder and Esteban head for hut 13.
Listen = 12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2101723/)
[/spoiler]
-
"Everything is smashed up in this place!" The Kid says, calling to the group in reference to shack #3
-
Eisen's ears perk up at the kid's notice, and he decides to maybe be restfully alert instead of so relaxed. Scolding himself for carelessness, he gets up, and (though armed) saunters over to the shack the kid is in, keeping his gaze towards the jungle path. Peering inside to see what the child was referring to, Eisen sees.......
[spoiler]
Listen Check: 14... meh... (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2102000/)[/spoiler]
NEW CONTENT
Muffled cursing under his breath. This was looking a little too much like France... why the fireplace? "Good job, boy. If anything else looks suspicious, come straight to me, or one of the group... stay here and try to keep quietly to yourself, alright?" He tried to sound reassuring and complimentary, but he was a bit paranoid now.
Eisen leaves for a moment, whispering just loud enough for Richard up on the roof to hear him. "Keep an eye on the waterfront... looks like something did happen here... possibly... just be cautious and ready..." Returning to the shack with the mules and the boy, he examines the fireplace*. 'Something had been kicked around... were they looking for something?' Leaving the shack, and in a much less cautious way, he methodically takes careful examination of the other buildings adjacent to the shack he was just in; namely, Shacks 4, 11, 12, and 2.** Entering gun first, he's much more cautious, fully expecting someone to be lying in wait. Still, he decides to not take his time scouring the place, but to enter, search the building, and leave for the next.
[spoiler]
Search Fireplace: Takes ten, result of 12
Search Buildings: 17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2102306/)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Edited my last post.[/spoiler]
-
Russo keeps a wary eye out and helps move the mules, though he has his hand and mind more on his gun and his surroundings than the animals and handlers
[spoiler] spot/listen/handle animal: (http://6,18,8) [/spoiler]
-
“Hey anyone…the Nazis have been here…three tracked vehicles came through the village…we certainly need to investigate further…”
“Eisen anything in those buildings?”
“Richard I hope you are covering me…I have to poke around further down the road…”
Max continues his investigation further down the village having his finger on his submachine gun trigger (ready action autofire any nazi on sight)
Search check (take 20): 32
Investigate check (take 20): 28
Spot check (take 10): 15
-
After hearing about the Nazis John decides to stay with the Doc, Kid and the brothers, just in case they stumble upon someone or something.
Gripping his Thompson SMG he remains alert for any danger that might lurk in the village.
[spoiler]Spot: 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2103023/)
Listen: 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2103025/)[/spoiler]
-
Russo seems to figure the safest place is with the mules and so puts himself on guard outside the hut (like he was going to stay in an enclosed space with those animals) scanning for movement or a sign of anything out of place
[spoiler]spot/listen:25,16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2103868/) [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Welcome to the team, buddy ;)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Actually, the way I have depicted it is this way-- Loder has split up the animals, so there are two groups at opposite sides of the village road.
3 and 13 have 3 mules each in them, and each of you Russo and John have been split between the two: John Kestrel is with Doc and Esteban. Jon Russo is with The Kid and Paco.
I hope that this is agreeable?[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Fine with me :)[/spoiler]
-
The rain lets up to just a sprinkling. But it is hot, and you are all still exhausted, but starting to feel a little better now that you haven’t been marching through the jungle.
Richard moves to the thatched roof of the next house up (#11). And takes up position with a better view down towards the other end of the village. The larger structure clearly visible at 156 feet away. A wooden sign proclaimed the place, in English, “Grateful Goat”.
While he’s up there he hears the sound of rustling beneath him in the home. The thatching is thick and the noises inside are indistinct. There’s nothing to be done about it at the moment though, and he tries to keep his sights on any target that would threaten Max. The noises below would have to wait.
Russo
[spoiler]
Paco and the Kid take hut 3. It is trashed and Eisen was just there.
Russo peers in: It is clear that there were signs of a struggle in this shack; the fabric door-hanging lay on the ground, torn from its place. A wooden table laid in 3 sections, shattered. A fire pit was also in this room, but it looks like someone had kicked through it. Dead coals lay scattered in an array out from the pit. 3 Mules had been brought into this building as per Loder's instructions.
The Kid greets him with a smile, and asks “What do you think happened, Senor Russo?” Paco looks uncomfortable.
Spot/Listen
[spoiler] Spot 25 - you can see the colorful birds in the trees all around the village, you can see the two dogs that have chosen to follow you over to this shack, one of them is licking its balls. Eisen is wandering around checking different structures, peeking his head in and moving on. You don’t see any sign of trouble though.
Listen 16 - You hear the sound of what COULD be some sort of cow-bell from around structure 11. [/spoiler]
[/spoiler]
Loder & Kestrel
[spoiler]
Loder and Esteban head for hut 13. with their 3 mules and the horse in tow. Esteban hums a little song while he ties the horse up along the side of the building, just out of sight of the road. Then with Loder and Kestrel’s aid, gets the three mules inside.
The interior looked messed up. Furniture in disarray and toppled over. There definitely was a struggle in this room. As with other homes, this place to had a fire pit in the center of the living space.
John Kestrel - Listen/Spot
[spoiler]Spot 15 - You have a good view of this side of the village. You see a bunch of chickens wandering around up the muddy street, but no sign of people.
Listen 16 - from across the way, near the building that Richard has moved to, you can hear what sounds like movement from inside a shack. Richard is reacting to the sound too, looking down as if trying to discern the cause.
[/spoiler]
Henry Loder - Listen
[spoiler] Listen 12- You don’t hear much beyond the braying of the mules and the humming of Esteban. You think he is humming “La Cucaracha”.
[/spoiler][/spoiler]
Max
[spoiler]
Max continues his investigation further down the village having his finger on his submachine gun trigger. No Nazis leap out at him, but still you never know…
Search/Investigate/Spot
[spoiler]
Search 32
Investigate 28
Spot 15
He follows the trail of the tire treads as they lead towards the village center. Though heavy rains had thoroughly made footprints indistinct, he saw plenty of reason to suspect Nazis. Their booted footprints were larger than the villagers, that and there didn’t seem to be any villager’s prints on top of the larger Nazi prints. The Nazis were the last to walk much of the ground here. Your best guess for WHEN they were made would be about 5 days ago.
Every once in a while Max finds a set of tracks that are much fresher. They seem to be male by the size, and barefooted. They lead in no apparent direction, crisscrossing the area of town you are in a number of times.
Max discovers a single spent shell casing. Your knowledge of weapons indicates that it is for a .38 caliber. The manufacturer is German for “wolf”.[/spoiler][/spoiler]
Eisen
[spoiler]
Eisen searches the buildings.
4. The flies and the smell of death precede your entry into this dark shack. Pulling aside the tapestry hanging in the doorway, you are confronted by the horrific sight of a bloated corpse at an advanced state of decay. It had the rich aroma the dead have after baking in the high temperatures of the jungle’s stifling heat, and the skin had blackened. Writhing could be seen just below the surface of the skin… [spoiler] Eisen will need to make a Fort Save at this time please or become Nauseated.[/spoiler]
2. Some congealed soup in a cook pot over a long dead fire, flies buzz all around it, and crawl about stepping out of each others way or flying off when facing another, a brief peek inside the pot reveals a squirming moldy surface.
The place was well-maintained, if sparse. A single bed was built into the wall. Below it a low-closet door hung open, inside herbs hung to dry.
12. Back again to the first building you had entered. You find nothing new or special. The occupants didn’t own a lot, but they seemed to take care of what they had. The majority of their things were hand-crafted.
[/spoiler]
Richard motions to both Max and Eisen as both men make their way towards the hut beneath him. (#11)
The noises continue from inside. The sound of things being knocked aside. Once the entire shack seemed to shake, Richard had to grab at the roof to not fall off. Something somewhat large was inside, but thanks to the hanging curtained door and windows, there was no way to see what lurked just beyond.
Max and Eisen approach from different directions. The sound of metal-- a tin clunking sound can be heard jangling occasionally.
-
[spoiler]Fort Save: 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2104392/)[/spoiler]
Disgusted at the sight, but luckily not affected physically, Eisen takes note without wanting to explore much further into the cabin, and in continuing his rounds sees the commotion inside the shack beneath Richard.
Alarmed at the state of the shack and it's shaking, Eisen makes a motion for Richard to get off the roof, and wanting to fire a warning shot inside, decides against it. Then, recovering his senses, decides to just make life simpler. Speaking loudly enough that the noise might hear, as well as any of the team nearby, he says, "Richard, I'm going to fire a warning shot through the wall..." and half hoping the sound, if it was human (and not some bear-monster), would stop making such a scene, decided to continue when no such reaction was received. "... so if anyone else is not inside a shack, signal them to come cover... and stay safe..." Eisen raises his rifle, poised and alert, waiting for a signal from Richard to go ahead...
-
“What do you think happened, Senor Russo?”
Russo backs out from the doorway and enters the hut, the animals stink with that wet fur smell that he just despises but he reaches into his pack and pulls out his cigarettes and the lighter, lighting up he moves back to the door to peer out watching the scout group converge on the hut despite feeling absolutely drained he keeps his eyes sharp and his body ready to move
"honestly kid I haven't got a clue, probably those nazi were here, which is bad news because it means they are ahead of us. But I have no idea where everybody went, either of you been here before?"
as he watches he sees the hut in front shake and makes his gun ready interrupting any response from Paco or the kid
"-hang on it looks like they found something"
-
Sgt. Kestrel grips his SMG and focuses his attention to the hut where Richard, Eisen and Max are, ready to react to anything hostile.
"Doc, make sure the brothers and the kid stay inside, just in case."
-
Loder nods in agreement and relays the instructions to the brothers in Spanish.
-
Max picks up the German shell casing and makes his way towards the hut beneath Richard. The adventurer keeps his submachine gun aimed at the hut’s door while Eisen tries to flush out whatever it is making that noise…
If nothing happens Max whispers to Eisen smiling
“If there is an injured native in there he can’t understand our language…neither can the local demons…I suggest we break that door and see what is inside…if it has a nazi symbol or any horns and sharp teeth we shoot it”
-
Richard carefully climbs down the side of the shack.
(This structure, like the others has a heavy woven blanket hanging over the shack's entrance, acting like a door. It hangs down to the ground. Others hang in the windows, effectively concealing the source of the noises that are still coming from within.)
Richard takes up position against the side of a shack across from the one he was one. His buffalo rifle at the ready. "Alright, Eisen. Whenever you are ready..."
-
After making sure Paco, Esteban and the Kid are safely inside one of the huts Sgt. Kestrel sprints over to Richard and Eisen to provide backup and takes up position against the wall of a nearby hut.
[spoiler]Take position against the south wall (assuming the upside of the map is North) of hut nr. 10, right next to the southeast corner of the hut, trying to maintain some cover while keeping an eye on hut nr. 11 and readying to shoot anything hostile that might come out.[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Warning Shot: 23 [Natural 20!]
[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2108218/]Confirmation: 21 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2108213/)
Damage roll: 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2108221/)
Assuming I hit anything, it should deal 26 damage, which might be severe for a warning shot, but I'd rather it be dead and a non-threat than alive and able to kill our exhausted collective asses. I assumed a roll was necessary, minus 3 because of being exhausted. I assume those effects are still active, in which case this attack takes that into effect. [/spoiler]
Eisen, having taken aim for moments, focused totally on this aim, fired almost without thinking as soon as he'd heard the confirmation from his team. No response had come from inside, the almost absent-mindedly aimed shot flew straight through the wall where Eisen was aiming, a loud bang startling the tired German.
-
Eisen's shot rings out LOUD against the relative silence of the empty village. Its concussion startles some nearby birds as they take flight from their perches in treetops high above Orino Perro.
The shot itself easily punched through the mud brick of the hovel. There is a wet sound, then a HEAVY thud and crash from inside.
Then... nothing.
-
For a moment, Eisen does nothing, not moving in the slightest, as if ready to fire a second shot. Slowly, after the thud, and as silence commences, Eisen starts to quickly move to the front of the hut near the entrance. "I'm going to enter and examine the damage, I need one covering me at least. Richard, please see if there was any reaction outside the group to the shot." Eisen wasn't incredibly worried about the unidentified recipient of his bullet, but he WAS worried about whatever made those tracks coming back through the jungle. Moving quickly to about ten feet away from the entrance, then slowly towards the entrance, Eisen advances to the door of the hut, keeping an ear open for any movement inside the hut.
[spoiler]
Listen Check: 26 [nat. 20] (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2108928/)
Dude, best day ever. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf0kaz7vpwk)[/spoiler]
-
Startled by the sudden gunfire, Loder pokes his head out of the hut's doorway to get a look around.
Spot (take 10): 11
-
John moves in closer to the hut to provide cover for Eisen.
[spoiler]Move to about 10ft. behind Eisen to provide cover fire and move in after him.[/spoiler]
-
Max also provides cover for Eisen
-
[spoiler][I was going to apply concealment rules, which would have given you a %50 chance of striking your target due to full concealment, even with the Nat20... but I didn't feel like being a dick over this one.][/spoiler]
Richard takes this moment to rescale shack #11, he's looking around at the village to see if he can see anything new.
Eisen in the meantime, approaches the front hanging curtain, pulls it aside with the muzzle of his rifle at the ready. Looking inside he sees.
[spoiler]
This shack is similar to the others in that it is a single room home. What had once accounted as furniture is now largely splinters.
Eisen, there is a dead cow in this room. It lays in a heap on the dirt floor of the shack. Your shot must've struck it in the head, and thanks that it was a high-powered rifle... the cows brains have showered the insides of the shack like so much confetti at a ticker-tape parade. The dead cow lays silent.
The poor things must've wandered in and gotten trapped.
[/spoiler]
[listen checks please. Everyone.]
EDIT about cow.
-
[spoiler]
Listen (take 10): 11
[/spoiler]
-
wondering just what the hell happened Russo looks outside
[spoiler] spot/listen check: 20,9 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2109457/) [/spoiler]
-
Even though there doesn't seem to be a threat to the party at the moment, John nevertheless stays focused.
[spoiler]Listen: 21 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2109496/)
Spot: 25 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2109499/)[/spoiler]
-
Listen check : 8
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2109616/
-
"Guys, I think I heard some sounds, and maybe some glass shattering..." John says to Richard, Max and Eisen.
"The shattering sounded like it was near the well, and the rest of the sounds were probably a bit further to the back of the village." he continues while indicating towards the general area of huts #16 and # 27, near the edge of the jungle.
He then turns around to silently make his way towards the area from where he heard the sounds.
[spoiler]Move along the north wall of hut #15 and stop/hide/take cover at the northwest corner to take a look.
Hide: 21 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2109817/)
Move Silently: 17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2109824/)
Listen: 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2109809/)
Spot: 19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2109810/)
[/spoiler]
-
watching the birds take flight Russo glances around the tree line seeing nothing he returns his attention to those inside the shack, he takes a few nervous drags on his cigarette and coughs quietly a couple of times, the hastily inhaled smoke seeming to scour his raw lungs. feeling useless he moves over to the still jittery mules and takes the tarpaulin covered weapon down from the mule along with a box of large .30 ammunition.
uncovering the huge machine gun he wipes it down a little with the tarp and then begins loading the weapon's internal magazine, though based on an early model Browning M1917 the weapon had been modified extensively by Russo's good friend in Italy, a weapons merchant from spain who called himself Espada, then man was a genius when it came to anything metal and unhealthy to humans. the gun was much larger than its original design with an air-cooled barrel and breech and who knows what else under the casing so it now looked almost unrecognizable as a browning machine-gun at all, it has also been modified to fire from an aircraft (Russo's Vadette specifically) which made it a little difficult to fire manually.
Russo finished loading the weapon and made it ready for firing, this place gave him the creeps and he was damned sure he wasn't going to be caught unprepared this time, he propped it against a wall and began searching through his pack for the thing's tripod
[spoiler] crap! I forgot the thing's tripod stand in Russo's inventory! oh mister GM how much we love you here at camp Russo I don't suppose you might look the other way while I slip a tripod into a mule's baggage would you :flutter pretty please? [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
oh mister GM how much we love you here at camp Russo I don't suppose you might look the other way while I slip a tripod into a mule's baggage would you :flutter pretty please?
I had been wondering all this time how the hell you were planning on firing it! :lol
*sigh* I guess I can allow it. Rationally speaking, it would make sense that it would be treated as part of the weapon's kit--[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
I had been wondering all this time how the hell you were planning on firing it! :lol
Mounted on the back of the mule ofcourse :D
:lmao[/spoiler]
-
Max waits for John to get to hut 15 in order to cover the area and then he follows him
Hide: 6
Move silently: 11
Spot: 17
Listen: 9
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2110397/
-
John peers around the corner of the mudbrick structure, and looks out into what could be considered a village square of sorts. In its center was a wide well, with a low stone wall, perhaps 4' high. A wooden rig was constructed over the well, and a coiled rope was tied off on one end to the rig above the well, the other end to a wooden bucket sitting next to the well.
The buildings (8, 16, 17, & 18) looked more or less like their counterparts. Low-peeked thatch-roofs. Hand-woven fabrics hung in the doorways and windows showing a variety of color and geometric design.
The dogs happily approach, having been lured away from Russo by curiosity. The second dog went into a crouch near Sgt. Kestrel, and a long string of shit spooled out of him onto the ground beside the northern wall of shack #15. The shit was moving; it was more worms than feces. The other dog sniffed at it with great interest before snapping its attention towards the direction of the well, and the building beyond.
Both dogs tucked their tails under and headed back towards the front of town. Back towards Russo.
-
[spoiler]
Mounted on the back of the mule ofcourse.
An ass firing from an asses ass! (No offense meant... well, maybe to Russo himself... a little, just playfully. :P
God I hate late working hours... assume I just wasn't paying attention to make the listen check.[/spoiler]
Eisen exited the hut, muttering almost light heartedly "It's alright, it was just a damn cow," and was aware just in time to see the dog's reactions. As soon as the frightened animals retreated from the side that the rest of the group had been alerted to, Eisen alerted himself as well*, cocking another shot into the chamber and wondering just how long Bones would be taking, and just how badly he'd panicked after hearing the shot.
[spoiler]
Alright, a late check!
Listen: 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2110874/)
Spot: 11[url][/spoiler] (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2110875/)
-
John signals to Max, Richard and Eisen that he saw something in the big building on the other side of the well (#28) and waits for the other men to arrive, so they can provide each other with cover as they approach.
EDIT: edited description :)
-
[Actually, building #28 is one of the few buildings that ISN'T a hut. It looks fairly well-made. Max would recognize it as the village's only real business-- 'The Grateful Goat' tavern.]
-
Max carefully makes his way towards the tavern. Once there he tries to peer through one of the windows.
Spot (take 10): 15
-
After providing cover until Max arrived at the tavern, John swiftly follows, taking up position on the other side of the entrance and trying to peer through a window unnoticed.
[spoiler]Hide: 22 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2111454/)
Move Silently: 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2111455/)
Listen: 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2111456/)
Spot: 29 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2111458/)[/spoiler]
-
The tavern's windows are caked with a layer of grime. Max & Sgt. Kestrel both wipe a small section and peer through into the gloom.
Inside...
[spoiler]
The bar has perhaps six round tables, each with at least four chairs. One table is overturned near the far back of the establishment.
You see the remains of a bar glass, spread across the floor where it seemed to have fallen. next to the long bar itself, next to it a toppled stool. Sticking out from behind the bar is a pair of legs; barefoot & caked in mud.
The legs aren't moving.[/spoiler]
Richard keeps the scope of his rifle trained on the front of the tavern. Occasionally he looks north towards the river itself and south towards the entrance of town.
The two shacks, separated by the village's mud street, have quieted down once again. The mules have since begun to relax once more. Russo and Loder can both see each other across the way, each standing at the door of their individual shack.
Inside Russo's shack the Kid asks, "Did they shoot something? Was it a monster?, Russy?"
Loder:
[spoiler]Doctor, would you roll me a Listen check? Taking 10 may not be your best option. Also, would you roll a listen check for Esteban as well since he is with you? I will apply is Listen modifier myself. [/spoiler]
-
Current Whereabouts Map for Orino Perro
[spoiler]
(http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4343/pclayoutop.jpg)
[/spoiler]
-
"Russy?" Russo looks incredulously down at the kid as he hefts out the tripod [spoiler]love you Jace[/spoiler] for his metallic girlfriend "don't ever call me that again, for my sake, it's Russo or Jon whatever you prefer" he turned away and set up the tripod at the door of the shack "I think they shot something, no sure what though, maybe it was Pingo" he smirks mischievously at the kid, attempts to attach the gun to the tripod and fails
"hey kid, you think you could hold Heather for me while I fix her to her stand?"
-
John signals to Max about entering the tavern to investigate what happened.
[spoiler]Will post more/edit after Neull// posts what Max is going to do :)[/spoiler]
-
Deciding the cow had enough attention for one day (and wondering how difficult it would be to make dry jerky out of it's meat before leaving; good for trading, eating, maybe the cannibals would like), he noted he was catching up to Kestrel and Max. Making his way to building 28, he noted the size, layers of dirt, and finally peering through the window, he noted the body. Turning to the other two, before max has a chance to enter, "This is odd; there was a bloated corpse, bloody and shot in one of the huts I found. Why is it only a few are left? Obviously something happened here. Perhaps only a few were in the village, the others off to Santa Boca for celebrations?...... I'm going to investigate the set of legs, confirm it's mortality..." Slowly and cautiously, Eisen steps into the bar, rifle forward and pointed at the mouth of the bar. Quickly taking in his surroundings, he makes his way towards the legs, circling around about ten or fifteen feet away until he could see into the bar, then if nothing alarming appears, moving up to the corpse barrel first.
-
John moves in after Eisen and takes up position next to the door opening, keeping his SMG ready to provide cover fire for Eisen if necessary.
-
Eisen approaches the body Kestrel to his rear with his firearm at the ready.
It can be recognized as a male form, a villager by his clothes, laying sprawled in the sawdust across the wooden floor of the tavern. As incredibly filthy as the man is, covered head to toe in caked mud, and stains even darker than the caked mud. As still as he was, the man's chest rose and fell as he drew breath.
In addition to this man, you notice the strong scent of decay. The same smell that Eisen had sampled a few shacks earlier. This smell seemed stronger towards the rear of the building-- not from the man but from the vicinity of the toppled table and chairs. The harried buzz of a thousand flies droned away from that corner of the large open bar room.
-
Max also moves in after john.
While Eisen is investigating the villager’s body the adventurer is attracted by this awful scent of decay towards the rear of the building and slowly makes his way there to further investigate.
Search (take 10): 22
Spot (take 10): 15
Investigate (take 10): 18
-
John stays near the entrance to keep a good overview of the entire bar room, ready to provide assistance when necessary.
-
Somewhat less than willing to examine the body, Eisen makes a quick overlook of it, just to see if he can see any bullet wounds. As he looks for this, he sees the man breathing. Without crouching to examine the man, Eisen moves to the door quickly, before the man can open his eyes. "Keep a watch on him; he might panic if this was nazis and he sees my uniform. I'll keep watch on the door.
Doctor, quickly would be better; I need your expertise." Eisen has run back to the doctor, and has gone for the tavern before waiting for the doctor. Not wanting to skirt the village, each time Eisen takes the main road. On his way back, he keeps an eye on the outskirt of the village, listening for whatever might be watching...
[spoiler]
Listen: 24 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2112503/)
Spot: 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2112504/)[/spoiler]
-
Grabbing his medical supplies from the mule, Dr. Loder hurriedly chases after Eisen, barely keeping up to see where he was going. Upon seeing the mud-covered man, Loder quickly assessed his condition.
[spoiler]
Treat Injury = 28 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2112524/)
[/spoiler]
-
[[W-wait? What happened to that listen check I asked you to make doctor? a few posts back?
No. you're right. Go save this man. Never mind.
From your new current location you would not get the chance to do that check any longer...]]
-
RUSSO
"Si." The Kid agrees to Russo's request. After a moment he adds, "I like your mustache. When I grow up I want to have a mustache like Padre the Bartender has!"
Just a moment ago, you heard Eisen shouting for the Doctor, then you saw Loder disappear into the hut-- then reappear carrying his medical bag. He then ran off in answer to the call. The slow-witted porter, pokes his head out of the doorway Loder had just left. He spots you, gives you an enthusiastic wave of his hand and a smile.
-
Sgt. Kestrel switches positions with Eisen and keeps an eye on the man.
-
After testing the mud-caked villager's vital signs and checking him over for any serious injuries, Dr. Loder looks up at the others with a serious look on his face. "Whoever he is, he's clearly malnourished. He's alive, but he doesn't seem to be responsive to any external stimuli. Also, aside from the cuts on his hands and feet, these scratches on his arms and chest appear to be self-inflicted. What in the hell happened to these people?"
Shaking his head, Loder stands up and walks over to Eisen. "By the way, what was the shooting about, what was in that hut?"
-
"I suggest we investigate this building some more, and if it turns out to be free of any hostiles we relocate everyone and all our equipment over here. This is the sturdiest looking building in town, and it would give us enough room to aid any injured civilians without having to split up between various buildings, keeping everyone and their equipment together."
After that Sgt. Kestrel walks over to the toppled over table in the back of the tavern to see if there is anyone behind it, wether they're alive or dead. He keeps his SMG aimed at the general area of the table just in case...
-
Kestrel
You approach the toppled table. Max had wandered over here just around the time the good doctor arrived. The body that lay on this side of the table was blackening. It smelled ghastly.
Max was bending low over the neck region, as if he was examining something.
-
"Anything of interest, Max?" John asks as he walks around the table and looks behind it.
-
"Self inflicted...... We might want to move the group into closer shacks, if we can do a quick investigation of the nearest ones to make sure they are clean. Also, if you're up to it doctor, I found another highly mutilated corpse in a shack back towards the others... we can examine it after we ready new huts closer to the pier, when we go to move the group..." Eisen checks out of the building. Too much to think about, he's trying to figure out why self inflicted. Chemical hallucinatory weapons? Panic attack after a painful gas? The nazi's had access to both such weapons, and no doubt some form of native had a bad poison as exotic as this. Something was wrong though... there had to be more... some other clue, or a more clear dead body...
Eisen goes to investigate huts 18, 19, 21, doing little more than peering inside for a body or cow. The whole scenario seemed bad; Bones had better get back fast with the boat ready, because every moment spent in this godforsaken town was one longer than they needed....
-
Max stands up and turns to John. “There is a a deep gash across the neck of the dead man likely caused by a slashing with a bladed implement.” He then walks over to the dirt man treated by the doctor. “I know him. He is Muta, the chief's son.”
-
Russo looks at the kid "That soup catcher!?" He guffaws heartily, "well good luck to you kid, It'll happen sooner or later I can assure you of that" he continues chuckling and sets up Heather and the tripod at the door, keeping the gun well inside but trying to give it the best fire-ark possible, giving the weapon a final check over he pulls the firing pin back and readies the gun.
Loader runs off in the direction of the others Russo watches him go
"Now what do you suppose they found?"
Esteban waves, Russo looks on then looks to the kid and they share a slightly worried expression and he turns to Paco "He alright over there on his own?'
-
"Yes... I'll go get the others... Whatever's happening here, we should stick more or less together." Loder heads out of the tavern and goes back to the hut with Esteban and brings him to the others.
Not making eye-contact, he is clearly disturbed by something. "Let's go, vamos, we need to get everyone closer to the center of the village. I have a bad feeling about this..."
-
John follows Dr. Loder and heads over to Russo and the others to get them to the tavern.
"Get your gear together guys, I think it's better to relocate to a sturdier building were we can all stay until we're sure what happened here." he says as he holds aside the curtain in the door opening somewhat and looks outside.
-
John follows Dr. Loder and heads over to Russo and the others to get them to the tavern.
"Get your gear together guys, I think it's better to relocate to a sturdier building were we can all stay until we're sure what happened here." he says as he holds aside the curtain in the door opening somewhat and looks outside.
The Kid looks up at Loder and Kestrel.
"Awwwww! Rats!" The Kid exclaims, "Russy... lo siento-- Russo and me just got that giant cannon put together!"
-
"ah well kid, you can help me at the other end if you like" he gives them all a smirk and begins disassembling his gun wrapping it up rather hastily back in the Tarp
"here hold this" he said giving the kid the big heavy tripod, nodding to Paco and the mules, he shouldered his pack and carries the large wrapped gun cradled in his arm and resting on his shoulder and walks out the hut with the others.
"We found anything interesting? I heard a shot"
-
"Nothing much, I think it was Eisen who was firing, but he didn't answer when I asked him. I hope he didn't kill anyone... Anyway, there's at least one survivor, though barely alive, in the tavern. It's probably the best place for us all to hole up while we figure out what's going on. Loder quickly translates for the two brothers and begins to lead them out the door.
-
Those making their way back from the huts near the front of the village pass through the sticky mud road leading through the mudbrick and thatch shacks of the village. Richard joins the group.
You pass by the wide well mouth, up onto the porch, and into the mouth of the Grateful Goat. :twitch ;)
As per Loder instructions, Esteban and his brother Paco help lead the mules into the interior of the bar itself. Immediately the newcomers of hit with the incredible stench of death.
Standing over the unconscious body of the filthy villager, identified as Muta the cheif's son were Max, Kestrel and Esien. John Kestrel had his gun trained on the unconscious form. Which had not moved since Loder had left him where he lay.
-
“Ok, until Muta regains his senses a small team should check out the rest of the village. We need to be sure that nothing hostile lies among us. I suggest we start with the Chief's home. John are you coming?”
“Russo, I suggest you create a defend perimeter around the bar entrance with your machine gun."
Max is making his way out of the bar…
-
Jumping to his feet suddenly, Dr. Loder calls after Max. "Wait, I'll go with you. I want to test the well water... Call it a hunch."
-
[spoiler]Um, I was gonna explore a few huts a post or so back... I'm still down, if someone wants to come assist...?[/spoiler]
-
"Sure, sounds like a good idea." John says as he follows Max and Loder out the bar.
-
the smell hits Russo like a wall he reels and gags a little
"Jesus christ guys!" he recoils and puts his bag down as far away from the smell and man as possible and stops the kid walking through "what a wonderful smell you've discovered, Jesus, best stay outside on this one kid, don't worry I'll join you in a second"
making sure his stuff is in order he shakes his head with a disgusted look on his face, he takes his canteen with him as well as that spiffy looking poncho the league had provided for him, then picks up two chairs and walks outside to the kid.
"put up the tripod, just there, on the decking, keep it well under the roof" propping the two chairs flush with the wall he offers the kid a drink and checks his watch
[spoiler] added to that I'm asking to see the weather and light, is it still light, I've just sorta assumed its cloudy to go along with our lovely drizzle I guess. I've played enough games to know this can be important [/spoiler]
"Thirsty?"
-
"Why don't we split up then, I'm gonna go check out the well first, so I'll need a hand with that, and whoever else wants to go check out the other huts can accompany herr Eisen." Loder says with a wink.
-
OOC: Sorry Flay I missed that. I will try to wrap up everything in this post.
"The water? hmmmmm..not bad doctor"
"John I suggest you accompany Dr Loder to the well I will assist Eisen on the investigation of the huts. We will meet you on the well and we can all check the chief's house"
Max makes his way towards huts 18, 29 and 21 where Eisen is already investigating.
"Anything in here Eisen?"
-
"Okay, you got everything you need Doc?"
-
Grabbing one of the medical kits, Loder follows John out to the well. "I'm going to have to rig up some way of determining whether this water is contaminated without my lab equipment..."
-
Eisen & Max
Structures #18 and #21 appeared empty, as if the people that had lived in them had simply walked away.
#29 The Dock.
The dock was a series of logs, cut down from the forest and tied together using heavy twine, also likely made from the plants in the forest. It was a good dock. Sturdy.
There were no boats of any kind moored to the dock. Nor any visible to ether direction of the river, at least as far as Eisen and Max could see before the rivers natural twists made it impossible to see what was around the bend.
The water itself was a brown color. It flowed from east to west, and somewhere to the north it joined with the Pasion River (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasi%C3%B3n_River), or so Bones had said once during the journey to Orino Perro.
There was no sign of Bones, nor Pingo. Nor did you see this river boat of his.
EDIT: Pasion River name was previously omitted for some reason. Now it there, AND it's a hyperlink.
-
It was around 45 to 50 feet from the porch of "The Goat" to the well in the center of the village square.
Russo and The Kid could watch as Doctor Loder and Sergeant Kestrel made their way to the well. It had a low wall of stone surrounding it, at least 3 feet from the mud that it seemed to almost sink into.
Tied to a long slimy rope was a wooden bucket.
Peering into the well, one could not see the bottom.
-
(http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/7425/barandwell.jpg)
-
"Nothing in here Eisen...let's meet the others in the well"
Max moves back to join the others...
-
Grimacing, Loder starts to pull the bucket up slowly.
-
Doctor Loder now has a bucket of water.
-
Dr. Loder fills his empty flask with the well water and leaves the bucket sitting on the edge of the well. "Got my sample..."
Next, Dr. Loder cups his hands and scoops up some water out of the bucket. After performing a quick sniff test, he sips some into his mouth, swishes it around and spits it out. If it weren't for the current circumstance and locale, you'd think he was a wine taster.
[spoiler]Knowledge: Earth & Life Sciences check to determine whether the water has been contaminated or poisoned = 26 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2116469/)[/spoiler]
-
It's been drizzling on and off, but it's been at least an hour since you've all arrived in the village. (Your normal status has been restored, so no more minuses for being tired!) Many of you are feeling more human already, after not having to be trekking through the underbrush still
The rain from above has been half-hearted at best this morning-- now afternoon. Clouds are sporadic, and gaps of hot sun break out from time to time, but otherwise it's a grey afternoon.
Richard strides out of the tavern, his buffalo rifle over his shoulder. He makes his way past Russo, The Kid, and Russo's gun. He gave it a little smirk as he passed, but from Richard it could have been a smirk either of approval or of mockery.
Into the mud he went, and he made his way over the the well, where Doctor Loder was looking intently into a bucket of water.
Also at this time, Max followed closely by Eisen approached the well also.
-
OOC: Jolt has modified his post on previous page...Dr loder checked the water with a 26 Knowledge: Earth & Life Sciences...
"Everything all right doc? What do you think about the water?"
-
"Seems alright, but just in case, you shouldn't drink a whole lot of it..." With that, Loder drops the bucket back down into the well.
-
[spoiler]Russo, I'm going to need a Listen Check from you please.
The rest of your go on about your business. :D
I believe that Max had mentioned the Chief's Place earlier?[/spoiler]
-
OOC: Yep he is waiting for Doc to finish the water checking and then he is going there with Eisen...
-
[spoiler]
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/Picture1-1.png)
(been neglecting Russo's emoti-portraits naughty me)
Listen check: 19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2120192/) hmmmm usually lady luck hates my guts what is with this game? also I'm just gonna assume the kid took a sip and fixed up the tripod, it's nice having a little spanish slave boy :D[/spoiler]
Russo left the kid to his canteen and went to fetch the gun to fix it back to its stand even though he was outside the smell still made him gag a little.
unwrapping the gun he tossed the tarp to the floor unceremoniously nodding to Richard as he passed giving the giant buffalo rifle the same indeterminable smirk.
He hefted the gun and struggled to attach it to the tripod tightening the bolt with his fingers idly listening to the others around him. Finished with the gun he moved the poncho from the seat before draping the fabric over the gun half obscuring it from any passers by as well keeping it dry from some of the more determined drizzles
-
"So, any other ideas about what might have caused the villagers to claw themselves open like that, Doc? Anything out of the ordinary with the water? Maybe a gas instead? The germans have got some nasty chemical weapons from what I heard."
Sgt. Kestrel asks as he scans the village for anything out of the ordinary, aside from the obvious things like a lack of villagers.
-
Dr. Loder shakes his head grimly. "Whatever it was, it doesn't seem to be in the water... Should we check some of these other huts?
-
"Well, might be useful if we want to find out what happened here. Lead the way, Doc."
-
Doc heads between two huts to the south, heading towards what looks like an old chapel. He approaches the door and slowly pushes it open with one hand.
-
"After that we move on to the chief's house..." Max says in a low tone while they enter the old chapel...
-
Edit: See next post for full description of actions.
-
Okay, those of you entering the chapel, please give me a Listen Check. Russo... you are about to find out the results of yours...
-
Before entering the dark chapel John swings his SMG over his shoulder by the strap and takes out his revolver and flashlight. Flicking on the flashlight he takes a good look inside.
[spoiler]Switch to Tranter .57 and flashlight (didn't think about the chapel being dark in my last post :))
Listen: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2120529/)
Spot: 27 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2120531/)
[/spoiler]
-
The chapel was indeed dark on the inside. It held a strong aroma of unwashed bodies, the scent was everywhere.
It was a simple, if well-built chapel made of stone and morter. The floor was made of wooden planks that gave slightly beneath your weight with a little creeeeeek...
Rather than pews, a collection of assorted chairs were aligned in a series of rows. At the front of the building a roughly hewn crucifix hung from it's place at the far wall, behind where the minister would deliver his sermons. It looked like Jesus-- but if Jesus had been carved from wood, and by a hatchet. With splinters.
Windows were shuttered closed along either side wall of the chapel and rain could be heard falling lightly upon the wooden shingled roof.
[spoiler]I will await further Listen Checks before I continue...[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Listen Check = 9 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2120561/) + Action Point (1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2120565/) = 10
...damnit! Loder don't hear shit!
[/spoiler]
-
As the group slowly walks in John points towards the floor, indicating that there might be someone, or something, under the floorboards.
-
Pistol in hand, Loder quickly searches around for a trapdoor or set of loose floorboards.
[spoiler]
Search Check = 35 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2120584/)
[/spoiler]
-
In the rear right corner of the chapel, Loder discovers a trapdoor in the floor. It's design allows it to easy blend in with the floor boards.
-
Trying to whisper quietly to Max and John, Loder points to the trapdoor. "Cover it with your guns, I'll open it on three!"
-
John nods and moves over to the trapdoor, readying his gun for any potential enemies.
[spoiler]Ready action to shoot anything obviously hostile.[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/Picture1.png) [/spoiler]
hearing a distinct shuffling sound from behind him Russo spins off the chair quickly moves past the kid and pokes his head around the door frame a hand waiting by his pistol cigaret burning slowly in his mouth
[spoiler]spot:22 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2120822/) seriously! what is up with these rolls? ((do I really need a spot check to take a look inside?))[/spoiler]
-
Max stands next to John covering the trapdoor with his submachine gun
[ready action: autofire anyone or anything hostile coming out of the trapdoor or attacking tha doctor]
-
Eisen trains his gun on the entrance of the trapdoor; should anything emerge and act hostile, Eisen would not have hesitated to put a bullet through it. The whole town was bad, and his guide had disappeared in a very suspicious manner; now, there might be someone with the ability to explain ever so slightly.
[spoiler]
Listen: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2121307/)
Ready action to shoot hostile emergents.... heheh, Max and I have it covered. Hopefully...[/spoiler]
-
Loder stands above the door, on the hinged side and grasps the handle firmly before looking at the others. He mouths the words as he counts to prepare them. "One... Two... Three!"
Dr. Loder heaves the door up as quickly and suddenly as he can...
-
Below the trap door, you can see that there is a crawl space of about 2-3 feet beneath the floorboards.
Nothing jumps out to attack. In fact. You don't see anything. If anything opening the trap door has made what scant noises you have heard disappear entirely.
You'll have to take a better look perhaps.
-
Stepping out from behind the door, Loder looks into the crawlspace and calls out in Spanish. "¿Hola? Es seguro ahora, nosotros no le lastimará. Soy doctor."
[spoiler]Diplomacy (take 10) = 10[/spoiler]
-
There is no response from the crawlspace. But the Doctor hears shuffling in the darkness below.
-
Loder slides his pistol back into its holster. Whispering to the others, "Try not to shoot me by accident, okay?"
Standing at the edge of the trap door, he calls out. "Ahora estoy bajando, yo no le lastimaré."
He then sits down with his legs dangling into the hole and slowly slides himself in, trying to avoid making sudden movements. Switching on his flashlight, he crouches and takes a look around.
[spoiler]
Spot check = 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2122279/)
[/spoiler]
-
Its dirty, but not muddy, here below the stone chapel.
Loder's flashlight sweeps across the crawlspace and he sees...
-
"Oh my god..." Loder slowly crawls forward out of sight.
From above, the others in the church can hear his voice coming from the dark crawlspace. "¿Por qué está usted abajo aquí, cuál sucedió?"
-
Reluctant to leave the Doc to his own devices, John jumps in after him to provide backup should the need arise.
"You guys keep an eye on this hatch and the rest of the church, ya hear?" he says to Eisen and Max before disappearing underground.
[spoiler]Listen: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2122343/)
Spot: 26 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2122347/)[/spoiler]
-
Max hears the doctor talking to someone…
“What is going on down there doc?”
-
Eisen meanwhile has his gun helf from the shoulder and is scanning around, from the entrance to each of the latched windows, looking for anything that might be watching from the outside. He had a bad feeling... and did the main warriors in the group just leave Russo and the transporters alone where someone was already killed. "Doctor, if it's a person, bring it with us; we probably shouldn't be leaving Russo alone in that building, machine gun or no. What have you found?"
-
Seeing a group of women and children hiding in the back, John slowly puts away his gun, hoping to show the villagers he doesn't mean any harm, and says to Doc Loder "Do you see them Doc? Think you can reassure them we're not the bad guys and ask what the hell happened here?
He then continues to Eisen and Max "We got civilians down here, women and children. Try not to scare them if Doc can convince them to come out, okay?"
-
Loder slowly moves a little bit towards the frightened women and children. "¿Qué sucedió aquí? ¿Por qué usted está ocultando?"
-
[spoiler]Is it fair to think we could have heard the gunshot from Russo's pistol?[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]and his somewhat less than manly battle cry, I would assume so...... please help I just failed my grapple check :bigeye[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Fair nothing, I will require that you make your Listen checks. Please. :) Oh, and note that the "manly" cry for help was written OOC. :p[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Listen check = 9 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2123757/)
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Listen: 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2123769/)
Even though me and Doc are underground I figured I'd give it a try :P[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]No worries Bowen! You GOTTA at least try!
Okay, here's my Listen DC Math breakdown according to RAW:
(http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/2135/soundmeasurement.jpg)
This is the immediate area of action. The line drawn from the from of the tavern to the church is the distance. Approximately 105 feet away.
Now:
The sound of battle results in a -10 to the DC.
Heard through a solid (stone) wall gives you a +15.
These together result in 5.
Now for every 10 feet of distance a +1 is applied.
If the PC is distracted it's a +5, which... I going to say that both Kestrel and Loder.
DC's to beat:
Loder/Kestrel. You needed a 20 to hear the commotion.
Eisen/ Max you will need to hit a 15 to hear...[/spoiler]
-
Deep in the crawlspace, Loder finally gets a reply. "No nos lastime por favor. ¡Hemos hecho que nuestras vidas sean quitadas de nosotros por los soldados! Hay un hombre enojado que vaga la aldea que nos dañaría. ¡No lo lleve a nuestro lugar de ocultación! ¡Por favor!" The feeble voice of an older woman says as she looks between the two men in the darkness.
The people shield their eyes from the flashlight's glare.
-
"What'd she say Doc? What happened here?"
-
Please do not hurt us. We have had our lives taken away from us by the soldiers! There is a mad man wandering the village who would harm us. Do not lead him to our hiding place! Please!
Loder lowers the flashlight so that it's pointed at the floor about midway between himself and the villagers. "They said the soldiers came and killed many villagers. And she said something about a madman in the village..."
He turns back to the villagers. "No se preocupe, yo no le lastimará. Vinimos a la aldea y la encontramos vacía. Creo que ahora van a los nazis. ¿Usted vendrá arriba? Soy doctor. Puedo ayudarle."
Holding his canteen out towards them, he offers some water. "¿Hacen usted necesitan el agua?"
-
Listen checK: 3
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2123845/
Max lowers his weapon and waits for the rest of the team to get those people out of there...
-
Like some sort of clown car, villagers; women and children only climb hesitantly from the hole with assistance from Dr. Loder and Sgt Kestrel.
As soon as they see Eisen, dressed in his German uniform, though... they freeze.
At that time, the doors of the church swing back open on their hinges-- Paco and his brother Esteban come rushing in, tripping over each other in the excitement!
"Help! Help!" Esteban cries in accented English. Perhaps one of the only English words he knows! Estaban, through ragged breaths says "¡Ese hombre Russo está en apuro! ¡El hombre flaco, él atacó!"
The doors, heavy and unbalanced begin to swing shut behind them-- but not before you hear the sound of Russo's heavy machine gun-- then another shot that sounded like a cannon. Richard's rifle?
The villagers begin to scramble back down into the crawlspace below the church.
-
"Ow crap..."
John rushes towards the doors with his SMG in hand.
-
"If you could explain to them doctor... and keep them here..." Eisen requests in his best English, as he rushes out the door to get to Russo. Though he has no idea what Paco said, his suspicions were confirmed fairly quickly. Thinking to himself "I wonder if the uniform was worth it...," he wonders additionally what kind of trouble Russo could have gotten himself into while he had that humongous cannon of a machine gun...
-
Sgt. John Kestrel and Herr Eisen Abendroth are the first to make it back to the Grateful Goat.
Richard, Russo, AND the Kid were looking around the village as if they expected to see someone... or something to come charging out from ANYWHERE. In fact, Richard, Russo, AND The Kid quickly turn towards Kestrel & Eisen as if ready to attack. Richard almost raised his rifle. But recognition softens their stance, but not by very much.
The fresh scent of gunpowder hung in the air to mix with the rank smell of mud.
Richard nods a greeting to John and Eisen.
-
Max also rushes towards the tavern...
"What happened here?"
Spot (take 10): 15
-
Eisen bursts into the room, is the first to lower his gun and ask "What the hell happened in here?" Looking for the body of Muta, which is nowhere to be seen, a smile appears on Eisens face, for a reason he can't quite understand, and asks tongue in cheek, "So, still only partially dead now?"
More seriously, Eisen turns to the others in the room, still wondering what happened to Muta's "corpse" with a hand on the handle of his rifle. "We found the villagers hiding under the floor in the church. They don't seem to like me, so I can draw a preliminary assumption on what happened here. We just don't know what happened with him...
And, I'm sorry.... we lost the doctor..... hahaha, kidding! German humor.... really, he's talking to them now. We might want to make it over there... since Russo, you might want to talk to him as well." Eisen offers a hand to help the Itallian up. "Seems like you did a fine job, but maybe we should mount the machine gun on the kid instead, no?" Eisen, laughing and patting Russo on the back, makes to leave.
-
After making sure all the villagers get back into the crawlspace, Loder follows them in, closing the trapdoor overhead. "No se atierra, ese hombre alemán está con nosotros. Él no es un nazi."
Loder looks among the frightened villagers for the one he had talked to earlier. "Dígame sobre el hombre enojado. ¿Quién es?"
-
Richard/Max/Russo/Eisen/Kestrel
Richard goes into the tavern and helps himself behind the bar. He withdraws a clear bottle with an amber colored liquid. He pours himself a glass. "That damn crazy took off. He's somewhere out in the village. Of course, he could be long gone into the jungles by now... but somehow I don't think so."
The kid finally let go of his grip on 'Heather'-- instead he turned to Russo and gave him a hug. "I'm glad that you're okay Russy! That was a close one! Holy smokes!" he grins ear to ear. "We sure SHOWED him, didn't we!" he says over his shoulder at Richard who responds with a raised eyebrow.
Dr. Loder
The older woman tells you, "El hombre enloquecido es mi nieto. Muta es su nombre. Él wasn' t como esto ante esos otros soldados vino." The other villagers huddle together. She tells Loder the events that lead them to this situation under the church...
-
Max smiles with Eisen's Humor but he is stil eager to learn what exactly happened...
"What do you mean he left? What happened exactly? He attacked you?"
-
"Any idea where he could be now, Richard? You had a good vantage point over on that roof.
By the way, I don't think it's wise to leave Doc alone. What do you guys say we get everyone over here?"
-
"Good plan, dually noted, leaving now and needing a cigarette...." Eisen said, somewhat wearily as he left the building.
Further out, it hits him; "Oh yes, and just to warn you all, when exploring earlier, I went down to the docks, with Max.... Bones, the ship, all of it isn't where it should be. There is nothing there, so unless Bones is taking his time and docked it elsewhere... we might need to look for him.... it.... anything...."
-
accepting the hand up from Eisen, wincing a little as the german pats him on the back and grimaces at the joke, and wincing more as the kid attached himself to Russo's battered form.
"yeah" he says smiling painfully "we sure did, great job on the gun kid, never tried firing her off the tripod before, I wasn't entirely sure she would agree with it, glad you got my back" he smiles at the kid somewhat awkwardly, his muddied gun still in his hand, he obviously isn't used to this.
He moves into the bar an ugly grimace on his face from the beautiful smell made that much worse by the bruises and cuts around his eyes and cheeks. He helps himself to a swig of whatever liquid Richard had magic-ed up from the bar, taking the whole bottle he moved back outside to sit down, picking up his water canteen and finally putting his muddy pistol down he used some of the water to clean off his face as best he could.
-
As if speaking of them summoned their presence, Harrison "Bones" Avery and his man Pingo came into the tavern through the open front entrance. Both men looked anxious.
"What happened, we heard gunfire. Is everyone okay?" Bones asked. Pingo held his nose immediately, and Bones wrinkled his.
Before getting his answer he went towards the back of the tavern, towards the overturned table and the decomposing villager. He stood there a moment just looking. His face a grim mask.
-
"What took you guys so long?" John asks, before taking a swig of one of the bottles of booze behind the counter.
"We had a run in with some sort of crazy villager here. You better ask Russo for any details, shook him up pretty bad."
-
Bones removes his black vest, then the white shirt worn under it.
He kneels next to the black bloated thing that head once been a man, takes his shirt, and covers the man's head and face in respect. He mutters something like a prayer.
"This was Rhoando, the village's chief and my friend." Bones says in mortuary tones. He put his vest back on, though sans shirt.
"What took us so long is that the blasted Nazis found the 'Halcon'. They tore up the engine pretty good, but to make matters worse, while I was attempting to fix that problem Pingo found a bigger one. One that I can't fix."
"So which one of you boys can dismantle a bomb without blowing us all to smithereens?"
-
"I have some experience with explosives." Kestrel replies as he snaps back to attention after hearing the word 'bomb'.
"I can at least take a look.
Before we head of though we should check up with Doc Loder to see what he has found out."
-
Russo didn't get up but he leans his head around the door from from his chair,
"More trouble with Nazi? they just don't give up do they?" he looks up a bit
"Sorry about the chief Bones, what the hell happened here his son came after me with a god-awful glint in his eye, he was strong, stronger than anybody should be, something has happened here Bones, this place is wrong, and not just because the Nazi traipsed through here" he holds the cool drink to his face hoping to sooth his wounds a little.
-
Max is quite socked that this was actually the body of the village’s chief…he knew the man and he did not deserve that…
“Bones, believe me, those people who did that will pay with their lives…once we catch up with those nazis we will not show any mercy…”
Max stays silent for a moment until bones mentions the bomb issue…
“I am a bit fun of explosives as well…you know that Bones right? Remember the bridge incident? I bet those bandits also remember it…well at least what left from them…”
“I think me and John will be able to fix the bomb problem…but first we have to know what happened here…if the nazis are involved we should be aware of what we will be facing soon…and those women and children we found in the chapel should be able to give us some answers…”
-
"Muta came at you?!" Bones said incredulously. His eyes widened. "Well what happened? Did he get shot? Is he alright?"
Pingo stands at the doorway. Dark eyes looking hard into the village. Like a hawk seeking prey. And he resembled a hawk too with that nose of his. In his right hand he wielded a short spear. It's haft carved intricately by hand with strange symbols. Likely carved by the man himself. In his left, held low at his hip, was his machete.
Richard stood on the other side of the wide wide empty door frame. His buffalo rifle held low at his side. Still he watched too.
Rain no longer pelted the roof with its incessant drone. But now, even as the sun reemerges the heat and humidity mixed with the smell of death, and of stinking mud to create a miasma that clung to everything.
"Are you all alright? Russo you look you took a dive into an empty swimming pool. MUTA did that?"
-
"The kid opened up my machine gun on him from a few feet away, hit him as well, I got a shot in with the pistol and Richard took a chunk out of the guy with that cannon of his. Still he got up like it was nothing and Ran off that way" Russo waves his hand in a vague direction
"If it hadn't been for that kid, he would have killed me" He takes another, much longer draft from the bottle.
[spoiler]drinking fortitude check: 19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2126969/)NOW the good dice come back...... :rollseyes[/spoiler]
-
Bones shook his head in disbelief, but he said nothing to contradict Russo's story. "Did you find any other survivors?" The way he phrased it made it sound as if he expected the worse possible response.
-
"Do you have any idea what could've happened to that kid, Bones?" John asks while checking his SMG. He might need it pretty soon after all.
-
"Here come's Loder." Richard announced. "Running like he sat in an anthill."
-
Loder comes running up gasping for breath, a manic grin permanently etched on his face. "You're *gasp* NOT gonna believe what I just found, fellas! Albert Dunning was buried in this very village! Come on!"
He starts heading back towards the old church, not waiting to see if the others are following.
-
I will reserve the B thread at this time in case it is needed when Max & John head to the River Boat . Please all continue to post in this main thread. Thank you!
-
"So, are we going to take care of this first, or do we split up so Max here and myself can take a look at that bomb Bones was talkin' about?" John asks as he gets up.
-
"Pingo can take you to where we stashed the 'Halcon'." Bones said to Max and John. "I want to see what happened. Perhaps I can talk some sense into Muta. He's probably just really freaked out after having dealt with Nazis..." He trails off.
Pingo steps up to John and Max at the mention of his name. Bones looks back at the bloated form of his former friend in the back. "We can't leave him there like that. I'm going to have to bury him sooner or later. After we see what all this hubbub is about with Dunning's grave."
-
"You comin', Max?
Good luck guys, I hope you'll be able to find out what the hell happened here..."
[spoiler]Of to the B-thread then? :)[/spoiler]
-
Pingo heads out the door. (And leaves this thread) (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=4012.msg160600#msg160600)
Bones looks at the rest who stayed. "Alright. These mules don't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. I doubt that Muta would hurt a mule anyway..." he says. "If anyone wants to stay put, be my guest, but be CAREFUL. Kid, you're coming with me to the church and its graveyard." The Kid nods.
"Alright. Let's do this... and keep your eyes peeled. We don't need any more surprises..."
Bones and the Kid head out the door into the mud. They head south towards the large stone constructed church.
-
Not good with explosives, and not wanting to further frighten the already twitchy villagers, Eisen decides that the best course is to stay with the trusted; he follows nearly next to Bones, figuring at the very least to provide backup.
-
"Yep...let's move on"
Max is making his way towards the boat (and leaves this thread)
-
"Are you going to act as bait once again for that villager again," Richard said in the dry British way. "Or will you be joining us. The mules should be fine."
-
"while the idea of further distorting my beautiful face does appeal to my masochistic side, I would rather not loose any more teeth, but at the same time are we sure we want to leave the mules alone? my guns alone weigh nearly a ton and I don't fancy carrying all of John's used underwear, bones might say that crazy bastard wouldn't attack mules but he didn't see the guy" Russo looks away and shudders a little
"He was cold Richard, that wasn't a man anymore, an I wouldn't be able to say what that thing wouldn't do, he spoke to me. asked me what I was doing here, called me an animal, in Italian would somebody out here know how to speak italian? I don't think he's who Bones thinks he is, not anymore by any rate. I say somebody has to stay and guard the mules. I just don't want it to be me" he says getting up stiffly grunting with pain and hobbling off in the direction of Loader and the others
[spoiler]perhaps Russo is reading a bit too much into his last encounter[/spoiler]
-
Behind the heavy church, Loder led the way following a narrow, but short trail that opened up upon the village's humble cemetery. Headstones were a mix of materials. Some were carved wood. Some carved stones. None of them resembled any tombstone that any of your were used to seeing.
Generations of villagers had been buried in this jungle clearing over the years. Evident by the sheer number of markers. Perhaps a hundred. possibly more.
The group arrived at the grave. It was simple, or had been rather, before the Nazis had it dug up. The skeletal remains of its former occupant lay in a heap next to the earth, still clothed in rotted remains of the garments it had been interred in.
-
Pointing over the disturbed grave area, Dr. Loder's voice betrays his barely concealed excitement. "Unless I'm horribly mistaken, these are the remains of Albert Dunning."
He reaches down and picks up the old pocketknife. "See here, it's engraved with the monogram D. If this wasn't our man Dunning, why would the Nazis have dug him up?"
Placing the pocketknife back in the same position it was found, Dr. Loder looks to see the reaction of the others.
-
"You brought us all out here," Richard says in his deadpan British tone. He looks around at the others in attendance, Bones, Russo the Italian, & The Kid, "Just because you found a letter D on a pocket knife, you assume that THIS just so happens to be the grave of one Albert Dunning, writer of letters and artist of maps. It's preposterous."
[spoiler]Hope I didn't overstep my bounds Nanshork, but this scene sure could use it right about now![/spoiler]
-
Russo just stands and watches nursing his dislike of the place and wounds
-
"Well why else would the Nazis dig this grave up? They were clearly looking for these." Loder says, incredulously, as he pulls the map and letters from his bag.
Squatting down to examine the body from a closer angle. "I mean, look at the way his bag is torn open!"
Loder takes a look at the scraps of torn paper for any sort of writing.
[spoiler]
Search = 23 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2131851/)
[/spoiler]
-
Loder DID have a point. The bag had been ransacked, the way that the flap had just been ripped upwards, tearing the old leather.
Bones had walked back to the church in the meantime, and was walking back with the old grandmother.
"I think the Doc here has got it right." Bones said.
-
So, then we found the man who has given us clues to our destination. Now... we thank him? Honestly, all this tells me is he had things on him when he died, and if he DID take anything with him to the grave, pun intended, our friend Dietrich has it. Which says we need to do all we can to disarm the bomb fast and get moving to try and regain the time we've lost in this god-forsaken place." There was something of irritation in his voice; he just couldn't understand why they'd found a corpse and been told to care. "Unless, we'd prefer to find Muta and ask for his assistance in killing our foes..."
-
Shaking his head in disbelief, Loder walks over towards Bones and the old woman. "¿Me excusa, podría usted por favor decirme lo que usted sabe del hombre cuyo sepulcro fue disturbado?"
-
"Estaba aquí el día que él vino a la aldea. Por completo del miedo él era, y peligroso enfermo. Delirante él era. Él habló de una ciudad perdida. Él habló de un demonio que viajaba en la ropa de un hombre." The old woman says, Bones, Richard, and Loder listen to her words... but Eisen is lost in the garbled tongue as was Russo.
"Las garras de un animal lo había herido, y debía pronto morir. Éramos afortunados que un sacerdote del misionario vino pasar a través de la aldea. Cuando él oyó hablar del man' apuro de s, él acordó verlo.
"El misionario estaba allí confortar a este hombre en sus momentos finales. El misionario llevó a cabo luego un entierro para él, y lo enterramos aquí.
"Este hombre Dunning había escrito letras a casa y el misionario acordó tomar ésos de modo que pudieran ser entregadas a su familia. No confiaba en a este misionario..." She shook her head, emphasizing the last part.
Richard, Bones, and the Kid look at the woman in interest.
-
Nodding in understanding, Loder turns to the others to interpret. "She says she was here the day that he came to the village. He was quite sick or delirious. He kept talking about a lost city and a demon wearing the clothes of a man..."
After asking a few more questions to the old woman, he continues. "He had been injured by some sort of animal and appeared to be dying. There was a missionary passing through the village at the time who was with him when he died. The missionary performed the funeral, and then Dunning was buried here. Dunning had written some letters and the missionary had agreed to take them so they could be delivered. The old woman says she did not trust the missionary."
Loder goes back over to Dunning's grave and takes a look at the silver ring he had spotted. Unscrewing his canteen, he tries to clean it off with some water in order to read the inscription.
-
"I know that a few of you don't speak Spanish. If you have any questions for Zaikara, I'm sure Loder or myself could translate, and possibly Richard too unless I've missed my guess." Bones says looking in the direction of Russo and Eisen. Richard looked over his shoulder at the men.
"We're going to help these people right Bones? They're our friends, right?" The Kid asks the scruffy guide wearing the vest. Bones looks down at the Kid and nods.
-
"I have a question" Russo speaks up from his spot on a rough overgrown grave
"When did Muta start acting strange? what happened to him?"
-
"... and has anybody else done so. And how can we kill him." These were muttered by Eisen, as if he knew he was doomed from the start with the old lady. He was more interested in tracking Muta down before he caused any more problems, and learning why people in the village were dead in the way they were. Bloated? The villagers hadn't attended to their dead if it WAS the nazi's... which was odd....
"How long ago were the nazi's here? The corpses of the villagers need attending to... they're quite rotted..."
-
Bones asks the old woman the men's questions. He looks deeply sad at the discussion of his friend Muta. She gives him her response in Spanish. Bones nods. Translating he says, "Five days ago the Nazis were here. They came through the town. Nazis with three trucks, she says.The villagers watched as they drove through.They stopped their trucks just on the west side of town. Nazi soldiers got out with guns.
Their leader came out. A scary man. Cold. Looking at him gave her chills. She felt as if she should know him for some reason, but she doesn’t know why.
"Their leader demanded to speak to the village chief and smacked a child in the face to prove his point. The chief then came out of his home with his son, after he told his wife and young daughter to stay in their home.
"He then met the Nazi Leader they went into the Grateful Goat. The Nazis held Muta outside.
"There was the sound of a struggle and the village chief came out covered in a spray of blood. He held a bloody knife in his hand. He said that the village would help these Nazis. He did not seem to suffer wounds.
"The Nazi 2nd in Command shouted orders, and the soldiers began to round up the villagers. A few people were killed, some inside their own homes. The old woman saw her son, the chief go back to his own home. Then he heard the screams of his wife and daughter."
Bones paused allowing more of the story to unfold before he continued. The old woman looked bitter and angry.
“The men were all rounded up near the well with their arms bound behind them. The women were gathered up in the church. It was after some time, maybe an hour before their leader reappeared. Some of the women thought he was dead, killed by the chief inside the Grateful Goat. But here he was. He went straight to the grave of Dunning and had his men dig it up. The women watched from the rear windows of the church. Then he jumped in and dug around tossing the bones and belongings out. He dug through the man’s purse, then scattered the contents out. He began shouting angrily. Striking one of his own men in anger.
“He then loaded the men into the trucks, and locked the women in the church.
From the window the old lady saw her grandson confront the Nazi leader. He bent forwards and whispered into Muta’s ear. He pointed to the church. Muta nodded, then hung his head. The Nazi patted Muta’s cheek, and chuckled.
“Then the Nazis left. Muta ran to free the women. But shortly afterwards he began to act crazy. Then he even attacked a child and her mother, biting them and scratching at them.
“Once again the women hid away once again in the church, under the floorboards. Anytime they tried to get away, Muta would show up. They’ve been trapped ever since.”
[spoiler]Listen check. The other group is quite a distance away, but you may still hear a gunshot![/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Listen = 8 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2135235/)[/spoiler]
Something clicked in Loder's mind. "Eisen, didn't you say the Nazi leader was behaving strangely?"
-
"Yes, he normally is a cool, calculated figure, who respects his men and wouldn't be seen striking them. It's possible that it isn't Dietrich leading the group, and he's really somewhere else. But if it IS Dietrich, he's behaving in a polar opposite way than he normally does... similarly to Muta, I would suppose..." It clicked for Eisen at the same moment, and the gears went into overdrive. "But it sounds like he's been acting this way for a while; the letter the nazi at the bar had said he'd been acting that way back at base, so it's probable that this IS Dietrich, but he's ill, or something like it. Point is, I don't think it was from here; it was from before. If Muta got it, it was something the Nazi's brought with them... and introduced to the Chief via his son, the Chief thus had the spray of blood from his son's injured body, and thus why he had no wounds... We need to find the Chief's home, to confirm what happened to him, his wife, and his daughter, and further... we might want to check on the status of the woman and her child... I'm probably reading too much into this, but it makes sense. Do you think I'm reading too much into it, Doctor?... Did you hear something?..."
[spoiler]Listen: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2135300/)[/spoiler]
-
Russo just listens and shakes his head with disbelief
"what the fuck is going on here, do you think it could be related to the thing we're trying to find? the uh-Artifact?"
he looks ashamed after he spoke, at himself rather than anything, probably for believing is such silly stuff. he covers his embarrassment with a chuckle
"Guess those hoodoo bags don't really work eh, lady luck hates our guts"
[spoiler]I hear with my little ear:a gunshot? (21) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2135335/)[/spoiler]
-
Looking surprised at Eisen for a moment, Loder responds sourly. "Hear something? No, nothing except this damn rain and the monkeys chattering in the trees. Anyways, I think these people have waited long enough, I'll check out the woman and baby if it helps you sleep better."
Loder hefts up his medical bag and approaches the old woman. "Quisiera examinar le y a los aldeanos, si es aceptable."
[spoiler]Treat Injury (take 10) = 21[/spoiler]
-
Loder is led away by the old woman called Zaikara. The Kid waits a moment before running across the grave yard after them. He caught up just as they were entering the church by its side door.
Eisen, Russo, Richard, and Bones are left standing around the desecrated grave. "So what is the plan, gentlemen? If you want to examine the chief his body is laying on its back behind the overturned table in the Grateful Goat. If you want to go to his place, I can show you where it is."
Listen Check Results
[spoiler]Due to the extreme distance of the gunshot*, and the amount of dense jungle between you and there you hear nothing but the sound of rain falling through the jungle canopy. Birds calling in shrill cries. Howler monkeys screaming out their territories to each other.
To the north you can just make out the babbling sound of the river. There is sound of talking coming from the villagers in the church. Buzzing flies encircle your heads.
*3/4 of a mile a way. The DC is 386 (no lie) (http://12tomidnight.com/d20modernsrd/Skills.php?Name=Listen)! :p
[/spoiler]
-
"I'd rather go check the Chief's home, since Loder already went and examined the bodies in the tavern. I'd like to see the damage there.
Also, I'd like to be near Loder. If my hunch is right, this thing might be transfered to the woman and baby, and another violent person isn't helpful. We should stick near the group anyways; if someone will point me in the direction, I'll check out the Chief's home alone. We can try reburying this man later." Looking as if to cross the grave and say a small prayer under his breath, Eisen makes a move back towards the village.
-
"Sorry." Bones says. "I'm going too. They were too good to me to let, no offense, a man I barely know to be the one to look in after them, regardless of how bad it may be."
Bones looked to Richard and Russo. "Well, you heard the German. Get on over to the church and help out that Doctor of yours. He's a strange one, but we don't need him to be in trouble in case Herr Eisen has something to his theory."
Bones began to head off towards the chief's home, the said over his shoulder "You may want the Doc to take a look at you as well, Russo. Especially if Eisen is right about some kind of sickness going around. You look like shit."
-
Russo nods agreeing, too exhausted for arguments or even a snide comment,
"could you two make sure my gun is alright while you're at it"
he then turns from the group and heads after the kid looking for Loader and a place to sit down.
-
Eisen (w/ Bones)
[spoiler]The Chief's home wasn't that far or hard to recognize. It was roughly a 90 foot walk from the graveyard, and past the church itself. And though it was still technically a shack, it was easily the largest shack in the village. Large enough to be two of any other home.
Unlike the other homes, this house actually had a front door instead of a hanging blanket. This door, was standing ajar.
Listen Check Eisen?
[/spoiler]
Loder (w/ The Kid)
[spoiler] You've helped quite a number of the villagers. Most had scrapes and abrasions from hiding in the church crawlspace all this time. Many mild malnourishment and dehydration. While at the graves, the villagers had gotten water for themselves from the well, many of them have told you that not being able to drink very much was the hardest part. Though others tend to feel the whole experience was a horrible mess. You'd tend to agree.
To make Eisen feel more at ease, you took a looksie at the Mother and her child-- the one's who had been attacked by Muta. The woman's bite was healing up quite well on its own. Both of their scratches seemed just fine. No signs of anything more suspicious.
The Kid had followed you in, and at the moment he was playing some kind of patty-cake looking game, except that it contained Spanish words, and different gestures. Esteban laughed shamelessly, and the Kid smiled ear to ear.
Zaikara, the old woman, watched in silence as Loder performed his duties.
[/spoiler]
Russo (w/ Richard)
[spoiler]
Bones and Eisen depart, leaving you and Richard to walk in silence back to the stone church. Entering you see rows of chairs filled with women and children, all filthy. The Kid is playing with the slow porter, and the Doc seems to be going about his work.
[/spoiler]
-
Russo Moves in slowly and collapses onto the closest pew, drained from his attack, wet and filthy he really does look a mess, his shirt is caked in mud as is his hair, his face was more or less the only clean part about him.
he watches the kid a bit before sighing and putting his head back with his eyes closed.
-
Richard scans the crowd, making sure that Muta isn't hiding and that no one else seems to be about to go just as crazy. Satisfied, he leans against the door frame, propping his rifle within easy reach against the wall.
-
Seeing the condition of his companion Russo, Dr. Loder quickly moves over with his medical kit. "Well you're certainly a mess, what in blue blazes happened to you?"
[spoiler]Treat Injury (take 10) = 21[/spoiler]
-
hearing the good doctor he looks up despite the pain in his neck.
"Muta took a liking to me, friendly bloke, we had a nice friendly chat" the sarcasm was almost like physical wall assaulting the poor doctor, it was rather clear the pilot was not in a good mood. But despite himself he moved into an easier position for the doc to treat him following any instructions Loader cared to give him.
suddenly sober and looking somewhat apologetic he looked up at the doctor
"What do you think this is all about Doc? the craziness, the hoodoo, think it links back to what we're looking for? I could be relaxing down in italy right now just sitting on the porch of the il maiale di volo with a cold one" he signs heavily, longingly "what the hell are we doing here doc?"
-
Loder shakes his head in sympathetic confusion. "Near as I can tell, we're in some sort of scavenger hunt against the Nazis with the stakes being the safety of the world if they get whatever it is we're after first. The hoodoo, on the other hand, I have no idea about. I'm just here to translate the old Mayan glyphs and patch people back together when they get banged up."
-
The old woman Zaikara interrupts the men. She holds a small bundle, wrapped in a patterned cloth that was likely woven in this very village. Pushing it towards the doctor, she had something of a grateful look to her face. At first you thought the gift WAS the cloth, these villages often prided themselves on their patterns; each unique to the village they were made. It was just one way to recognize where a villager was from, if you knew what to look for and what it meant... but no. There was more, wrapped inside.
"Tome a este doctor-hombre. Perteneció al marido de mi hija, principal Rhoando. Este libro le fue dado por este hombre Dunning." She smiles.
-
Looking up at the woman in a mixture of surprise and curiosity, Loder takes the package and slowly unwraps the cloth around the book. "Mucho gracias. Me honran."
-
"Lemme see! What did you get?"The Kid says as he wanders back to the group, he sits down next to "his pal" Jon Russo.
-
Grinning at the Kid's enthusiasm, he shows him the book, reading the title off the cover. "Incidents of Travel in Yucatan, Volume 1. I know of this author, he's quite well known in my field. This book may prove invaluable to our expedition. I should give it to our trailblazers to look through."
-
Russo shifts up a little to let the kid sit down giving the book his own cursory glance
-
[spoiler]Sorry for the late reply.
Listen: 21 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2141936/)[/spoiler]
Taking matters seriously once more since the string of both ridiculous and violent events had done his brain slightly in for the day, Eisen walks into the house and makes an attempt at an alertness to determine of Muta's family carried the same body-enhancing oddness he held. Listening for movement of any kind, Eisen stays ready just inside the home with his rifle ready.
-
Dr. Loder/Richard/Russo
[spoiler]
Two villager women rush into the church screaming frantically. This causes the rest of of the villagers to get excited as well, there is a lot of confusion.
[/spoiler]
Eisen
[spoiler]
You hear the buzzing sound of hundreds of flies coming from one of the two back rooms. At your feet, you and Bones can see blood streaked all across the rugs that cover the dirt floor. Two sets of footprints can be made out. Adult male bare footprints criss-cross the floor and lead into the rear room, through the hanging curtain doorway. A pair of booted footprints track through the blood, leading back out.
The home itself looks like it had been ransacked. A humble shelf for books knocked to the ground, and the books tossed haphazardly about the room. Other areas of the first room showed signs of being knocked over. Clay pots containing cornmeal or flour lay shattered, their contents strewn across the floor.
(A Search then an Investigation check may be warranted.)
[/spoiler]
-
Richard immediately grabs his rifle and steps outside, readying it and looking for whatever it was that made them scream. Let someone else sort them out.
-
Once Richard strides out the front door, looking for the source of alarm he spots John, Pingo and Max plus a hog-tied corpse…that is Muta!
“Please be careful with that Buffalo rifle friend…it is us and we carry dead Muta..”
-
Richard snorts. "As if I hadn't noticed." He then goes back inside.
-
Loder quickly moves over to the group of frightened villagers, trying to stand between them and the door with his hand on his holstered pistol.
-
[spoiler]I'll take twenty on both checks, for a 27 Investigate and 22 search check. [/spoiler]
Eisen steps right into the room; it wasn't the first time he'd seen bloody bootprints on an innocent home's floor. The booted footprints, as it turns out, are his main worry, as in his eyes the nazi's pose the greatest threat until whatever was up with Muta can be confirmed. Slowly but confidently, confident mainly because of the rifle that led him through the house, Eisen methodically searched the rooms, investigating each after confirming nothing could kill him inside it. He walked through with his rifle st his shoulder, ready to fire upon anything that might jump out.
-
Eisen and Bones return to the church with the grim, but somewhat expected news of the murder of the chief's wife and daughter. The old woman, mother to the chief's wife broke down sobbing, and needed the assistance of a few of the village women, who were now finally calming down after Muta's body had been dragged to the church.
All in all, there were five deaths that the Nazis had visited upon the people of Orino Perro. Bones barely said a word, his face was a thundercloud; dark, stormy, and full of impending violence. He seemed to be blaming himself for what had occured. When he did speak, he would often mumble in a sort of dazed state. "... if I had only been here..." regardless that had he been, likely just as many would have died, and he taken away to be the Nazi's guide rather than the League of Nations Expedition.
When asked what they had found, Bones responded with a solemn, "Ask Eisen, or go see for yourself."
The entire party was together once again though, as Eisen and Bones made it back to the church shortly after the commotion that had been brought about by Max, John, and Pingo's... kill.
More questions remained than immediate answers, but the group felt that they would need to make some sense of the village's recent events... especially with what had occurred to Muta.
Hours have now passed since the party had first entered the quiet village. Bones was given the "all clear" to get his boat running, and he left to go finish the work that he had left.
By 4PM in the afternoon the 100-foot, steam-powered river boat El Halcon came chugging down the river, where it was met by Pingo who tied the ropes off on the Orino Perro dock.
Everyone
[spoiler]Now is the time to share some information with each other. You may be able to figure some things out a bit better. What happened when John, Max, and Pingo encountered Muta? What did Eisen and Bones discover in the chief's home? The open grave of Albert Dunning...[/spoiler]
-
John (thats Russo not Kestrel) walks down to the dock eyeing up the blooded corpse of Muta and possibly muttering something like "not so tough now are ya you creepy ass hodoo bastard?"
"I see you got him then? Looks like he wont be terrorizing any unsuspecting travelers any more" and with a swift look behind him at the bawling still coming from the church "or... uh any innocent villagers" he approaches the dock and gives the Halcon a rather underwhelmed and disdainful look over
"wow... what a piece of junk"[spoiler]I will stop with the Star Wars references eventually, promise[/spoiler]
-
Now that everyone is gathered together Max started explaining what happened at the boat: the trapped bomb, Muta’s attack at Pingo, the brief discussion he had with the seemingly possessed son, the fight and finally Muta’s perish…
“….I am telling you we are dealing with powers beyond our understanding…this thing that did the talking and seemed to control Muta’s actions was pure evil, what we commonly call a demon…and now that Muta is dead there is a high probability that it is still hanging around or it has possessed someone else. Me John and Pingo are the highest suspects, so I suggest you pay attention on any strange reaction we may have…anything out of the ordinary…”
“…And as you can all understand from the dialogue I described you I had with that thing, it seems to hate Bones and knows what we are after…moreover sugar does nothing against it”
“What about the villagers..what do they have to say about all that?”
-
"You really do believe that demon-stuff, don't you?" John asks, still somewhat uncomfortable with all this talk about supernatural entities.
"Eisen, do you know of any kind of biological or chemical weapon the Nazis might have that could cause something like this?" he then asks his fellow soldier, still looking for a somewhat more rational and scientific answer.
-
[spoiler]I rolled a ten for a knowledge check, should have just taken ten, lol. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2144583/)
However, to answer the chemical question, I have no idea if current affairs (+5 mod, total 15) would be appropriate, or history (12 total), or what. I probably don't know anything about it anyways with that low a roll, but I figure it's worth trying.[/spoiler]
"What's more disturbing to me is the fact that the chief was found in the tavern. It would appear he went home, killed his family, and laid down. Booted footprints tell me that someone either killed him, or more likely found him, since the bed had minimal blood on it. But how he moved into the Tavern and why has me confused.
In addition, because you mentioned it's lack of efficacy, along with a small quantity of blood, the bed was covered in a grand amount of sugar... So much doesn't make sense. On a different note, if he's a prime suspect, how are we supposed to notice if Pingo is acting strange, Bones?" The off-color comment was meant as an honest question, but was inflected to try and lighten mood for morales sake, and the German's humor did nothing to hide this awkward fact.
-
"Hmph?" Bones said, lost in thoughts of his own. "Oh. I'll keep an eye of Pingo. Right now though, he just seems shook up. Me too actually. I'm sorry."
-
"Wait, did you say sugar?"
Loder stops dead in his tracks, a look of contemplation fills his eyes. Suddenly he breaks into a run, not toward the docks, but back to the church.
-
Neither questioning nor totally surprised, Eisen grabs his rifle and heaves his pack up, to go sprinting after the Doctor.
-
Loder runs into the church but instead of stopping he continues straight through and out the back door to the graveyard to stop breathlessly in front of Albert Dunning's desecrated grave. Crouching down by the torn open satchel, Loder wets his finger and touches the white grains he had noticed earlier. Carefully, he tastes them. He looks up and grins at Eisen who was watching him. "Yep, it's sugar! I can't believe I didn't realize it earlier!"
Loder stands up. "You say the Nazi leader was acting strangely, and that there was also sugar on the chief's bed?
-
"Well, yes, it looks like he had killed his family and then lay down in a coating of sugar, like it was applied to the sheets before anything had happened... and yes, Dietrich is acting uncharacteristically cruel... I'm not following completely, how is... uh, Muta's demonic taint similar in any way to Dunning's grave and Dietrich's cruelty?" Getting the basic idea, but feeling as though he'd missed a very important final clue, Eisen simply stands at ready, puzzled but interested, and moreover worried...
-
Russo watches after the others looking throughly confused, shaking his head he turns to Max
"You are joking right? I mean... well uh.... damn. This is actually starting to make sense to me, it shouldn't, but it does"
he ruffles the back of his head dislodging as much mud as he could and using the rain to wash himself down a bit now looking rather grim
"But how can something like this even be possible? Shit like demons and hoodoo doesn't even exist for Christ's sake, and if it does then why here? Why not anywhere else? how come this is the first damned thing to be dredged up, is it us? that damn thing we're looking for what if all-" he breaks off suddenly an exasperated look on his face, after a second however it lit up and he moved over to bones
"You still got those mayan daggers we got from the fat guy? if this sugar idea Max was on about doesn't work perhaps they might, I mean if another one comes after us I would sure like a way to kill it before it, say, jumps on one of us and beats them half to death without anybody noticing"
-
"Daggers?" Bones says with a question, "I sold Reggie a set of ceremonial Mayan daggers. He wouldn't have given them back to me... How do you know about those anyway?"
Standing on the deck of El Halcon, Bones was trying to get things ready for their departure. Pingo was busy with a handful of villagers fetching water from the well to fill the water barrels on board. Bones kept looking towards the church where Doctor Loder and Eisen had run off to.
Burying the dead was another priority of Bones' as well before they left.
-
"Really? I thought I saw Richard give them to you." Russo said confusedly, he shrugged "Reggie sold them back to us, at least we know where they came from now, small word" Turning to the hunter he asks about the daggers and wether they can have a look
-
"For fuck's sake, you too Russo?" John exclaims as he hears Russo talking with Bones.
"Do all of you really believe in this hoodoo stuff?
I gotta talk to Eisen when he gets back, maybe he can talk some sense into you people..."
he continues, before getting a cigar out of his pocket and lighting it.
-
"No John I don't believe in this bollocks, all I'm saying is it's just starting to making an seriously eerie sort of sense. You ever read Bram Stoker? Mary Shelley? that mummy film? They all have rules, something always kills them, and as ridiculous as it sounds I think Richard and Max were onto something with that sugar, but to be honest I think the best way to kill it is on the business end of a sharp object and if the old mayan crap helps then so much the better, coz what I do know is that a full burst of heavy machine gun fire from close range didn't even slow Muta down, you telling me thats human?"
-
"Yeah, I've read those books, seen plenty of movies. Still, that's just fiction..." John says, a doubt somewhat audible in his voice.
"I'm sorry guys, I don't mean any offense, but all this hoodoo talk is just so surreal.
-
Richard chuckles softly after listening to all of what was said. "So you blokes are finally catching on that there's more to this world than you thought. Yes, I have those ceremonial daggers and yes, there is a demon. Madame Sarah showed me." He pulls out the box with the ceremonial daggers and tosses it to Russo. "Take a look, but give them back when you're done."
He then walks away and starts to pace, obviously thinking. He mumbles something about sugar, obviously unhappy.
-
"Mind letting me take a look as well?" John asks as his namesake catches Richard's box.
"I'm still not sure about all of this supernatural crap, Richard, but if you guys know of a way to deal with this stuff, I'm willing to give it a go."
-
"Listen to me John"
“I met Muta face to face…he looked, talked and moved like it was not him…believe me I have been studying the paranormal throughout my whole life…I have also witnessed a couple of things myself…we are dealing with an evil entity here…you can call it a demon if you want…and each demon has a weakness…initially I thought it was sugar…but now I say we try those daggers the next time we face something similar….there are four of them...I would suggest to split them up among people who we will make the best use of them…”
Examining those daggers
Knowledge (arcane lore) take 10: 19
Knowledge (history) take 10: 17
-
"We should go check with the others, c'mon!"
Loder starts back towards the rest of the group, confident that another piece of the puzzle is in grasp. What the puzzle will mean to them is uncertain, but the more information they have, the better.
-
John picks up one of the daggers and walks over to the porch of the Grateful Goat to try it out on one of the wooden posts supporting the extension of the roof.
If they were going to use these things they'd better be just as good as a standard issue combat knife...
[spoiler]Mind telling what their effect on a wooden post is, Jace? John is basically stabbing and cutting like with a normal combat knife, treating the post as if it were a normal enemy in close-combat (hope this kinda makes sense...)[/spoiler]
-
"Woah! careful Kestral! those things are ancient" Russo cries out looking rather wide eyed and panicked he moves hastily up to John with the box and attempts to take the knife from his grasp before he can hurt the ancient thing,
"You have to treat these things with respect, these belong in a museum, you can't just wave them around like that"
[spoiler]knowledge history:30!!! (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2146182/) for checking out the knives learning what he can from the details and intricacies as well as any symbology present and maybe how old they are even though he was told a good few pages back[/spoiler]
-
"If you guys think these things can help us in battle, they'd better be just as good, if not better, than a standard issue combat knife.
Historical value won't help us when facing more characters like that Muta guy, a good blade will." Kestrel explains to his namesake.
"Damnit!" John shouts as the stone dagger shatters upon impact.
"And this was supposed to help us in battle?" he asks, sarcasm clearly audible in his voice as he hands Russo the shattered remains of the dagger.
-
John is basically stabbing and cutting like with a normal combat knife, treating the post as if it were a normal enemy in close-combat
The stone dagger strikes the wood, but shatters in Sgt. Kestrel's hand. It seems that sacrificial dagger had never been intended for stabbing poles, and its extreme age only amplified that fact.
The group now has 3 priceless obsidian-bladed stone daggers now.
About this time Dr. Loder and Herr Eisen return from... where ever it had been that they had run off to moments earlier.
-
Loder trots up to the group in a slight jog. "Max, what was it you had said about the sug--"
Stopping dead in his tracks, Loder's jaw hangs open in shock as he stares at the pieces of broken dagger currently resting in Russo's hands. "Wh-- What have you done?!"
-
[[OOC: What about my knowledge rolls concerning the daggers?]]
Max hates when something like this is happening…the destroyed dagger besides a historical treasure, would have been a possible way to fight those demons…
“We still have 3 of them. Just try to use them against an evil entity and not against a solid wall!”
“Dr Loder, where did you go? What did you find? Sugar? Yes I said I tried the sugar trick but did nothing, the demon just attacked me…he does not seem to be attracted by it”
-
Russo stands there the handle in his grasp, he seems to have entered some form of shock...
"I-he- T-t-t-the... he....he broke-" he manages to splutter eyes wide, mouth agape in sheer horror from the look of him anybody would think somebody had just disemboweled a child.
-
"Yeah, sorry to ruin your priced archeological finding, Doc, but it doesn't seem to be quite the weapon it's cracked up to be." John shrugs.
-
Richard spins around and glares at John. "You! Never touch anything I own again! Why would you think that a knife made out of stone would be used to stab a pole? You don't stab poles with knives you bloody fool!"
-
"This one works just fine on wood, thank you very much." John snarks as he demonstrates his knife skills with his combat knife.
"You really think those stone relics are better than this basic knife if they can't even put a scratch on some old wood?" He continues as he steps away from the old post, revealing a number of deep gashes and cuts on the wood.
-
"You're not here to think, you're here to shoot things you bloody Yank! Your thoughts on these knives are unimportant."
-
"Yeah, rational thought is obviously the specialty of you and your hoodoo experts, isn't it, limey?" John deadpans as he starts to make his way back into the Grateful Goat.
"I need a drink..." he mutters under his breath.
-
His eyes still on the broken pieces of dagger, Loder distractedly relates his discovery at the Dunning grave. "Oh, uh... Earlier when I had first found the grave, I had noticed some small white grains in his satchel. After we were all back together and Eisen mentioned sugar, it clicked, so that's where we just went. Sure enough, they were grains of sugar! Just what exactly is going on here?"
-
"Yeah, when Eisen and myself had been in chief Rhoando's place, one of the beds had been covered in a layer of sugar, and the impression of a body was in it, like someone laid down in it. It was weird to say the least" Bones interjected.
-
"Ok, brainstorming people, we should put everything we know together"
“Point 1..According to my knowledge every demon has a craving or a bane -- something the demon craves in order to remain healthy, or something to avoid as if it were deadly poison. Based on that assumption I tried to use sugar against our villain but it did not work. He told me that I may keep my sugar because he had plenty of it…”
“Point 2...the demon characteristically told me that the boy wanted only to save those he loved that he did not care the result. Does that mean that the demon could only possess you if you accept some kind of a deal? Is this what also happened to Karl Dietrich, Hauptmann? The nazi leader did some kind of deal with evil?”
“Point 3…The Germans came here looking for Dunning’s grave. Do we know what they took? During their stay they terrorised and killed some of the villagers. Most importantly they messed with the chief’s family and did some weird hoodoo staff….hhhhrrrrr shit I do not have all the information of what exactly happened at the village. I cannot put the pieces together… Could someone enlighten me with details from the villager’s story?”
-
"I don't know about the villagers, but if the demon said he had plenty sugar... then we need to move. Quickly. I agree, Dietrich might have done some sort of deal, which would account for his attitude. In which case, now the demon knows, and I'd bet money Dietrich will soon if he doesn't already, where we are and whom we're traveling with..." A glance in Bones' direction got the point across to those missing out. "We can discuss it more on this Halcon, or whatever it's called, so I suggest that, if for nothing else for sake of time..." A look in John's direction now, "... we bury our literal and metaphorical dead, and get a move on. Search what you'd like, say, within an hour, and then we should move fast as possible. Remember, this is still a race, and this village, while sad and in need of help, is not our concern... We need to finish the job first..." He didn't suppose that his neglect for the villagers would go over well, especially with Bones or Pingo, but he was hired as a professional soldier, and that's what he'd at least try to do.
-
Loder cocks his head in confusion. "Wait, did you just say a demon? As in hellspawn? What the hell did I miss?!"
-
Richard just shakes his head and turns his back on them and the conversation. He has found a prey worthy of hunting, and that is his new focus.
-
muttering under his breath Russo begins to wrap the daggers back up carefully and puts them back in the box, he takes a look on the floor and begins to collect the pieces of the shattered knife, treating each piece as if he was handling the body of a loved one a look of pity on his face.
"Say these daggers do work, we only have three now and I don't suppose you want to distribute them anymore... I suggest a new house rule, if we find anything else ancient and priceless, one of us Brits keep hold of it agreed?" he breaks off disgusted "Trust a damn yank, no respect"
picking up the last piece he wraps the shards in his own aviation scarf
"Do you think I could keep hold of the broken one Richard? I think I might be able to make some use of it"
-
"That's right Max, you and Sgt. Kestrel were away when this tale came out..." Bones says, he begins the tale again that he had translated earlier for Russo, Eisen, Richard, and Loder.
"Five days ago the Nazis were here. They came through the town. Nazis with three trucks, she says.The villagers watched as they drove through.They stopped their trucks just on the west side of town. Nazi soldiers got out with guns.
"Their leader came out. A scary man. Cold. Looking at him gave her chills. She felt as if she should know him for some reason, but she doesn’t know why.
"Their leader demanded to speak to the village chief and smacked a child in the face to prove his point. The chief then came out of his home followed by his son Muta, after he told his wife and young daughter to stay in their home.
"He then met the Nazi Leader, And they two went into the Grateful Goat. The Nazis held Muta outside.
"From inside there was the sound of a struggle and the village chief came out covered in a spray of blood, but He did not seem to suffer any wounds. He held a bloody knife in his hand, and chief Rhoando said that the village would help these Nazis.
"Then the Nazis 2nd in Command shouted orders, and the soldiers began to round up the villagers. A few people were killed, some inside their own homes, for resisting.
"The old woman saw her son-in-law, the chief, go back to his own home. Then he heard the screams of his wife and daughter.
“The men were all rounded up near the well with their arms bound behind them. The women were gathered up in the church.
"It was after some time, maybe an hour before the Nazi leader reappeared. Some of the women thought he was dead, killed by the chief inside the Grateful Goat, because no one had seen him leave the building. Only the bloodied chief.
"But here he was. He went straight to the grave of Dunning and had his men dig it up. The women watched from the rear windows of the church. Then he jumped in and dug around tossing the bones and belongings out. He dug through the man’s purse, then scattered the contents out. He began shouting angrily. Striking one of his own men in anger.
“He then loaded the men into the trucks, and locked the women in the church.
From the window the old lady saw her grandson confront the Nazi leader. He bent forwards and whispered into Muta’s ear. He pointed to the church. Muta nodded, then hung his head. The Nazi patted Muta’s cheek, and chuckled.
“Then the Nazis left. Muta ran to free the women. But shortly afterwards he began to act crazy. Then he even attacked a child and her mother, biting them and scratching at them.
“Once again the women hid away once again in the church, under the floorboards. Anytime they tried to get away, Muta would show up. They had been trapped ever since.” He nodded to himself when it was done, satisfied that he had not left anything out, then he looked over at Loder. "The Doc here had translated (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=3947.msg161724#msg161724) the old gal's story about Dunning coming out of the jungle.
"Zaikara said she was here the day that he came to the village. Dunning was quite sick or delirious. He kept talking about a lost city and a demon wearing the clothes of a man.
"He had been seriously clawed by some sort of animal and appeared to be dying. A missionary happened to be passing through the village at the time, and this man volunteered to look after Dunning, and was with him when he died. The missionary performed the funeral, and then Dunning was buried here. Dunning had written some letters and the missionary had agreed to take them so they could be delivered. The old woman said she did not trust the missionary for some reason."
-
Richard nods that Russo may take the shattered knife, he has no personal use for it. He is still very angry at John, but then again how could he expect better from a Yank who's never been out in the real world. The damn Yank is probably going to go crazy next time he sees the demon, he's useless.
Richard then listens in to Bones' story for the second time, hoping to glean a few more hints about how to deal with his prey.
-
“When the time comes that we may need those daggers we will neither have the luxury or the time to distribute them. I am afraid we will have to do it now. I would distribute them based on the skills people have on close quarters combat. I would give one to Russo, one to Eisen and one to me”
“But the most important thing is to put the pieces of our puzzle together. My guess is that somehow during his investigation of the occult, even maybe of the artifact we are after, Karl Dietrich either made a pact with some kind of a demon or was unwillingly possessed by him. The crucial part is that we need to stay away from him because he has powers that could somehow dominate a person through possession or by some other unknown mean. That is what he did to the chief. What I suggest is that if we ever come across that man we just shoot him straight in the head without any cheat chatting. Moreover I bet we will be able to find more information once we meet the missionary who performed Dunning's funeral who I guess will be in the Catholic Mission we are now heading…”
-
Eisen moves towards Max to accept a knife, examining it quickly before placing it in the same pouch as his broken trench knives, between the two steel knuckles to prevent it from snapping if under pressure. "Doctor, can you confirm for sure whether Muta, tied up as he is, is still alive? If Dietrich went into the building, the chief came out and acted out of character while Dietrich was nowhere to be seen, then the chief lay down in bed out of sight of everyone while Dietrich reappeared and moved, it could be possible that the demon can only take a dead body, and was trying to hide his possession. I'm not saying I agree with this, but if you are correct, that might be a relief to know we living are alright. I honestly don't know how a living man could take that punishment Muta did and still function.
Lets say we have until dawn, then lets get the hell out of here. Dietrich is going to increase speed, seeing as how he's angry, driven to get this, and a slave driver now, so he wont mind tiring out his men. Lets make quick work of this place."
-
"The shooting part sounds fine with me." John replies to Max as he steps back out, a bottle of alcohol in his hand.
"Listen, I'm sorry if I upset any of you guys by shattering that knife, okay? I think it's best if we just leave our differences behind us though, and get back to hunting Nazis and finding that artifact the League wants.
Waddaya guys say?"
-
Russo accepts the knife without complaint and tucks it in with the shards being careful to wrap it in whatever soft he could and place it out of harms way in a tidy corner of his pack, then picking it up he patted his namesake on the shoulder
"Its alright, we're all confused, I thing all this magic stuff is bullshit myself, not sure if I believe it or not. But, if it works and keeps me alive long enough to get plenty of money and retire then it makes sense to me. Just don't touch anything else expensive alright?" he gives the man his trade smirk and walks past him still limping a little and obviously still in pain.
"gentlemen" he addresses them all "I believe it may be time to head off, begging my pardon if I am getting ideas above my station but the Nazi and the clock are arrayed against us so I think it may be time to load our possessions- (with you're permission)" he adds aside to Harrison Avery "onto our new wagon"
-
Smirking to himself, Loder looks on as the knives are passed out. "Guess I'll just research that thing to death, then..."
-
Richard nods his permission for the knives to be handed out, he never was once for close combat. Other than that he stays quiet, he has nothing to say to these people right now.
-
Loder checks over the bound form of Muta (taking 10 on Treat Injury) and frowns. "That's funny. Some of these wounds appear to have closed by themselves, while these fresher ones haven't. One thing's for sure, is he won't be getting back up any time soon."
-
Bones convinces the majority of you to help dig a few hasty graves behind the church in the corner of the cemetery. The bodies, are carefully cleaned up-- nasty, putrid rotting things, and are placed into the earth. Those in attendance can still smell the lingering aroma in the air, even long after dirt had been shoveled into place.
"Espero que el libro sea útil a you." the old woman Zaikara says to Doctor Loder as she approaches him from behind. She puts a frail brown hand upon his shoulder and offers him a toothless smile. Sadness fills her eyes, but a look of gratitude is clear.
Bones and The Kid each give her a hug. Bones gives her a small kiss on the cheek. "Estoy triste que no habría podido estar aquí ayudar cuando habían venido los nazis. Permanecería para ayudarle a reconstruir, pero estos hombres me necesitan. Quizás encontraremos y traeremos a casa a sus hombres Zaikara. Deseo que hubiera más que podría hacer para usted todo."
----++----
It had been a long day, and the shadows were beginning to get longer by the minute. The two local boys Esteban and Paco had loaded the mules onto the river boat, and tied them up within the fenced in area that took up the nearly the rear half of the Halcon.
The villagers insisted on giving gifts to the men-- fruits and vegetables mostly, but after a brief conversation they had with Bones a decent sized wooden barrel-keg was taken from behind the Grateful Goat and loaded onto the boat as well. There was no label on the keg, but as Pingo and Bones wrestled into place inside the rear cabin the others could here a 'sloshing' coming from within.
Soon everyone in the village had gathered at the dock, as Pingo untied the lines. Even the two dogs from earlier; the tick-covered one and the other with the two-toned creepy-eyes had come to see the group off.
Bones took his leave, and went to the wheelhouse. He had a river to navigate. He asked the others to make themselves at home. "It's my intention to go until it's no longer safe to travel, then to drop anchor mid-river, and sleep on the river..." is what he had said.
[spoiler]A full map of the Halcon is under way...[/spoiler]
-
Max makes his way towards Bones to keep him company…
“So pal, we have shared some exciting adventures at the past but I believe this is something else...We are messing with forces beyond our understanding Bones…this thing that was inside that kid…ohhhh God you should have seen it…”
The archaeologist makes a pause and offers Bones one of his cigars. He lights one for himself too.
“Well the whole situation sounds fun…we are racing a whole platoon of German soldiers leaded by a supernatural nazi son of a bitch towards a hypothetically lost Mayan city that houses a powerful relic or artifact that have absolutely no clue of its powers if any…”
-
Up in the wheelhouse Bones responds to Max.
"Yeah, it reminds me a whole lot of the time when you and I were acting as guides in British Honduras-- except without the German platoon, supernatural threats, and the powerful artifact." He gives Max a smirk, gladly accepting the cigar.
"You said that whatever had control over Muta had mentioned me by name?" Bones shivered unconsciously. "If that isn't enough to give a man nightmares, I don't know what would. If the theory is right about the Nazis having made some sort of deal with darker forces, then I guess it could possibly make sense.
"I mean, I DID steal a TON of their money..." Bones smirked, but his smile was fleeting. "And look at the high cost of that. The Nazis came in and took it out on those that I love."
Towards the rear of the boat the rest of the men stand amongst the pack mules, looking out over the brown-colored river water. Dense jungle came right up to the edge of the riverbanks, and beyond as the branches reached out over the water.
-
Russo had helped where he could and then settles as forward of the boat as he could, this was where he belonged, on the water amongst the waves, although the waves in this case were mere ripples on the rivers muddy surface it would have to do. He gazed longingly at the sky as the others got settles and stayed there, taking his filthy top off with a wince and laying it on the deck, he considered dipping it overboard to try and clean it a little but considering the shade of the water it might not do much good.
"we could carry on through the night" he offered "I can navigate and helm so long as I have a map and plenty of light, its risky because I'm not sure when it gets shallow, but if we take it in shifts going through the night we could cut the travel time in half"
-
“Yep he did mention your name my friend…” replies Max smiling
“…and what have you done with all those money you took from them? Gambling and women again Bones?...I guess some things never change…hmmmmm how far is this mission we are heading?”
-
Bones pokes his head out of the wheelhouse door. Russo had taken up near the front of the boat, and within easy speaking range. He spoke to both Max and Russo, "It's at least a full day's travel on the river to get to the Old Mission. Today is June 9th-- we'll get the sometime before lunch on the 11th." He said chewing on one end of his cigar. "I'm not entirely sure I want to let another man take the wheel of El Halcon. No offense Russo, but she and this river are like old lovers of mine, and unless you know how to stroke them JUST RIGHT, you may end all wet. So to speak.
"There are a number of tributaries that we can take, but only so many that this old boat will fit down. I may be willing to let you take the helm before darkness falls. How about it, Russo? Think you can handle her for the time being?"
"About running her through the night? It may seem like a good idea, and it actually may be... but it just seems risky. I know that we are in a rush to beat the Nazis at their own game, but they seem to have 5 days on us as it is. They took trucks, so as long as they're on THAT side of the river they're making good time. But I think their luck will run out soon if it hasn't already days ago.
"Where we're going there ARE no roads." He gave a cocky smirk.
[EDIT: I adjusted the description of how long it will take to reach the Old Mission. It is currently dusk on the 9th right now-- Bones expects to get there during the morning of the 11th.]
-
Richard was on his way towards the wheelhouse when he heard Bones speak. He chuckles softly to himself, "We're finally entering my territory."
He then enters the Wheelhouse, Bones seems more levelheaded than the rest and he knows Madame Sarah. He says quietly, "Bones, the missionary is the demon. He killed Dunning. Madam Sarah told me. So be on your toes."
-
pausing thoughtfully, Russo nods twice
"none taken, I know what it's like to have an old lover, sadly mine is somewhat out of my reach for a few years but she lives on" he sighs dramatically seeming in a much better mood now that he was on the water "and perhaps you are right about swimming in the dark, best suited for those who have paddled the waters before, still if you feel like a break I'll be sure to handle El Halcon like a sister rather than a lover, would never even think to cuckold a man's machine. His wife and sister on the other hand are fare game" the smirk twitched back to his lips and he only just managed to stop himself just short of a dashing heroic laugh, it wasn't a funny joke anyway he reasoned.
-
“Whaaaaaaaaat??? You are talking about the palm reader in Santa Boca? Why the hell didn’t you mention that before Richard? What did she tell you exactly?”
-
"Now now, give the man a break. He's telling us now isn't he?" Bones gives Richard an appraising look. "Sarah TOLD you... or SHOWED you?" Bones put emphasis on the latter part, he'd had known what sorts of things Sarah was capable of.
"I appreciate the heads up on the Missionary, though I shouldn't think we have much to worry about from those types-- The old Mission that I believe that Dunning wrote about isn't a Mission any longer. It's called 'Machete Landing' and nowadays it's a shady little stop-over for people who are heading deeper into the jungle. We can maybe buy last minute gear and supplies there. The old structures are still there. The school house, the church, and a couple others. But ain't no missionaries been working out of that bit of jungle since Dunning's time."
-
Richard nods knowingly. "She showed me. I saw a demon that walked in the form of a man, a priest. He was with an expedition that came out at least twenty years ago, judging by their clothes. They found ruins and the demon poisoned all of his companions except one, who escaped and was pursued. Sounds like Dunning and the mysterious missionary to me, though I'd have to see a picture of Dunning to know for sure."
-
Loder approaches Russo tentatively. "Hey, you mind if I take a look at a piece or two of that broken knife?"
-
As jokes were passed about handling each others lovers, Eisen stared off into the water, thinking of what he left behind by joining the war, and a look of sorrow flashed over his face for a short while. But like he had to, he shook it as soon as he'd noticed, thinking through his remembrances.
Still, Eisen did seem more relaxed, knowing that with the prediction of the missionary, a larger chunk of a puzzle had potentially fallen into place. Immediately upon settling down on El Halcon, he examines the ship, and tries to think of a tactical place to set himself up. "Russo, I'd appreciate it if, until you take over the boat, you set up your machine guns with me, and maybe we can teach that beloved kid of yours how to shoot them some more. I could give him a quick military instruction, simple but effective, if you could supply the gun. At the very least, I could teach him how to be your loader so you could just focus on firing without worrying about the ammo. Is she chain fed, your gun?"
[spoiler]Will wait for a map to decide where we should place myself and Russo's woman. :D[/spoiler]
-
"hmmm" says Russo scratching his day stubble that seemed to have grown up in just the last few hours
"That doesn't sound like a bad Idea Eisen, they're both belt fed but they have their own boxes that helps feed them, they jam up sometimes when they were on my plane because I couldn't reach em when flying but if the boxes go on the ground I'm sure a loader (not you doc but sure let me get it from my pack) would stop it from jamming quite so much"
standing up we moved to the back of the boat top still drying on the deck to where their packs were huddling like sea sick children. he opened up his own and dug deep inside moving aside 9mm boxes, binoculars (which he fished out placed on the deck next to him), clothes and finally the two knives he took out the bundle that was the shattered blade and took it up to Loader where he laid it out on the deck and carefully unwrapped it exposing the dark pieces.
[spoiler]I should of made Russo help out with the engine what with his +7 craft mechanical check and +2 repair [/spoiler]
-
"I think I can help you guys with that." John remarks as he overhears Eisen's suggestion.
"Say Eisen, you're a pretty down-to-earth guy, wadda you reckon' about all this talk about demons and whatnot? Some of these guys really seem to believe in all that supernatural stuff..." John asks his fellow soldier ,somewhat hesitating, as he offers him a cigar.
-
Smiling while politely waving off the cigar, Eisen seems in a bit of an odd state, "I think that if it is a demon, it's the first I've ever believed one could exist. If it isn't a demon, I've got a pack full of explosives for any drug-crazed nazi soldier experiment against us, and a fairly accurate rifle to place him down for the second it takes to stuff it in his mouth. The nazi's have something, and demon or drug I don't care what. Maybe it is a demon, and thus the healed over wounds. Maybe they have a soldier serum like in those kid's comics back in America, in which case I'd love the finished product.
Maybe it's the German in me, but I don't care what it is, as long as the end result, i.e. killing it, stays the same. So John, I take it your not a religious man? We might as well all get to know each other since we'll be traveling slow for a day's distance..." Eisen dropped his pack towards the center wall of the boat, nearby the door down to the hull, but kept his belt and rifle, actually taking off his jacket for the first time without heading to sleep; he'd always, as it occurrs to anyone, come out of his tent dressed, combed, and ready. Eisen wasn't a weak man, so it seemed; a few small scars, nothing huge or deep, could be seen scattered and distant over his arms and chest.
[spoiler]For some reason, I'm digging character development, feel free to ignore it and it might be gone by morning. :P[/spoiler]
-
"Well, I'm definitely not your typical bible-basher..." John smirks as he lights a cigar.
"I mean, I'd like to believe that there's something out there, but I'm not sure wether it's what the church would have us believe. I guess that's just human nature though..." he continues after taking a few puffs from his cigar.
"I'm definitely not someone who believes in all of this hoodoo and supernatural stuff. I like to think of myself as a pretty down-to-earth guy, kinda like yourself I reckon'. Like you said, I don't care what it is the Nazis have, or how we put a stop to it, as long as the end result is the same.
Guess that's what comes with the soldier mindset..." he smiles.
[spoiler]Yeah, some good old character development is definitely fun :)
I kinda like how Eisen and John aren't all that different...[/spoiler]
-
Loder checks out the pieces of his knife as if they were bits of an artifact he had unearthed during a regular archaeological dig.
[spoiler]Investigate: 27
Knowledge (history): 19
Research: 34 (NATURAL 20!) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2151427/)[/spoiler]
-
"Excuse me for a second, Eisen." John says as he gets up and walks over to the front of the boat.
"Doc, care to join us at the back of the boat? I think I might have an idea...
Max, could you come as well, I might be able to use your help." he calls out to the wheelhouse area before walking back to the back of the boat.
[spoiler]This should be fun :smirk[/spoiler]
-
"I am fairly 'down to Earth,' I suppose. I wasn't raised religiously, just politically; father wanted Germany to be great again, made sure we were educated in worldly ways, like languages and common sense. None of us can stand the nazi way of doing it though; just shameful.
I don't know if I believe in this... thing the Germans have used on Muta, the Chief, and Dietrich being a demon, but if it makes sense, I'll let anyone call it what they want until I know for sure. And yes, that is definitely the soldier mindset... Ironically enough, I'm not technically a military man, though. Where did you serve? I only meet with other soldiers for business relations, or to kill them-...." He seems to ponder this for a second. "... Well, business relations. The Nazis, I have a bias of contempt for. And the French are... an odd breed." Then, as John seems to have an idea, Eisen just smiles and waves him on. "Of course."
-
Max follows John without saying anything...the man is still socked of what Richard just revealed to them..
"So?"
-
Loder reluctantly puts the pieces of broken knife away and follows the others to see what's going on.
-
"Okay, listen, I'm still not saying I'm buying all that hoodoo and demon stuff, but let's say there's some truth to it...
Those knives are supposed to be able to wound or even kill that demon, right Doc?" John asks, trying not to sound too cynical.
"From what you guys know about these legends, would the shards of a broken knife still be able to inflict serious injury?"
-
"What legends? How exactly are we supposed to know anything about these things? We're as new to this as you are! I HAD been studying the shards of broken dagger to see what I could figure out, but you interrupted me for... For these questions without answers!" Exasperated, Loder throws his hands up in the air and starts heading back to the front of the boat.
-
"Okay..."
John then walks to the wheelhouse and asks Richard and Bones if the shards could still be used to wound the 'demon', offering them both something to drink and a cigar.
-
Bones, still puffing on his cigar gives Sgt, Kestrel a wide smirk when he approaches with his questions. Accepting the drink as well, bones just shrugs his shoulders. Through the stogie in his teeth he says, "You got me, Sarge. I'm as much a baby in the woods as you are with most of this. Madame Sarah is the one who's tried to sell me on this stuff more than once. I'm not against believing in the supernatural, but hokey religions and ancient weapons are no substitute for a good firearm at your side." he takes a swig of his drink, "Besides, up until now, you've been pretty grounded in reality. Why the sudden change of heart?"
-
"It's not so much a change of heart, more me wanting to be ready for whatever we might encounter." John replies.
"I'm still not sure what to believe, but I have to admit that some strange stuff was going on over in that village...
What do you think, Richard? he asks.
"And how 'bout you, Max!? You reckon' we can still use those shards?!" John yells outside as he sticks his head through the door-opening.
-
Richard waves away the offer of cigar and booze, he wants to keep his head clear. "I don't know enough about these daggers or the demon to know what would be useful, that's he's for," he motions in the general direction of Dr. Loder. He then leans in towards John, looking directly into his eyes as he coldly says, "I just know that when this thing is staring you down and trying to swallow your very soul, you'll be sorry you broke my bloody knife." He then walks out.
-
"Friendly fellow...
If you'll excuse me, I'll go check up on the good doctor."
The sarge then walks over to doctor Loder, who seems to be caught up in his research again.
"Listen Doc, I'm sorry I interrupted your research, but could you do me a favor? If you find out anything about the supposed powers of these knives, and wether these shards still hold any of that power, could you please tell me?"
-
Loder shakes his head. "With the equipment I have, all I can tell is that these are very old and very well preserved."
-
Max took his time to reply to John, thinking about what the man was asking. Well he was an archeologist but most of all he was an adventurer and a Nazi hater. He didn’t like the fact that the dagger was shattered but now his main priority was to defeat that supernatural villain.
After some though Max approaches John smiling
“You remember what you proposed me back there when we diffused the nazi bomb? About rigging it? Well we could include some of those pieces in the package. Once it explodes, shards of this ancient relic will be flying all over the place in such a high velocity that could prove deadly to our demon friend…well at least if we consider this dagger effective against such entities…”
-
"That was exactly what I was getting at!" John laughs.
"I just wanted to check first with you hoodoo experts to see if you'd think those shards would still work."
-
Looking over Loader's shoulder at the jagged shards he shakes his head a little, Harrison's helm offer forgotten for the moment
"hell I don't think we should get so worked up about these daggers, they should be in a museum not used as a weapon, five hundred years old apparently maybe even older. we haven't yet identified our little handle beastie but it's probably some sort of sacrificial god or a war demon? hell I don't know ask me anything about Egypt or Babylon any-day not really an expert on this mayan stuff. If it was Egyptian (which I'm damn sure its not) I would probably say that was a death guardian like Anubis, Set or Osiris or it could be a War beastie, Or even at a push it could be something like Ra or Horus, sun gods. I heard my old lecturer talk how the mayans would make sacrifices to keep the sun moving or something"
-
"Aboard the riverboat El Halcón"
Monday June, 9th 1941
Dusk along the river
[Okay, now that we have a map (though no locations are listed yet :blush) you can move around the boat more freely. Russo, where were you thinking of setting up your guns?]
[spoiler](http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/3645/halconbw.jpg)[/spoiler]
The Halcon was a large boat, made of wood, and powered by a steam-boiler in its belly. It chugged along the muddy waters of the river with a steady pace, as the jungle passed by along the banks of either side.
The rear deck was open, but covered in an oiled canvas tarp. It kept the rain at bay, and helped keep the pack mules dry... as well as Esteban and Paco who had taken a crate, and had gotten a card game going with The Kid. The mules had been tied to the wooden railing that fenced in the area under the tarped-roof.
The inner cabin on the top deck (forecastle?) was divided into two compartments; front and back. The one closest to the rear held a few crates, extra rope, and a hammock that Pingo laid down in the moment they had put some distance between them and the forlorn town of Orino Perro.
The front compartment held the stairs leading down to the lower deck, as well as the dual wooden stairs that lead up to the wheelhouse above. Windows gave a good view of the jungle from the inside, through wooden slatted blinds in both compartments. A mounted head of some sort of jungle deer was on display above the door leading out to the front of the boat, glass eyes stared blindly out at the compartments occupants.
Bones turned the wheel over to Russo after giving him explicit directions for how to take the next part of the river, Russo seemed to put him at ease with his initial handling of the wheel.
Bones excused himself and made his way down the wheelhouse stairs, then down the stairs to the lower deck.
"I have a bar in the salon, if anyone is interested, That keg the ladies in 'Perro gave us is full of their local jungle moonshine. It's strong stuff, if any of you think you'll have trouble sleeping tonight. I'm going down for a glass of brandy, myself." He said disappearing below.
A hall ran along the port side of the boat along the timbered bulkhead. It smelled faintly of old cigars. The front of the boat held Bone's quarters. He had a large room that was located directly below the fore deck. A hatch opened between the decks here, but was currently sealed tight against the rain. Bones furnished the room with a reasonable sized bed, a wardrobe, nightstand with an oil lamp, a dresser, and a large cedar chest.
The next room had to be the salon. Double doors opened inwards from the hall showing a very comfortable lounge style room. A leather couch, a circular padded seat with a circular gaming table, a couple of wooden chairs, and a fully stocked bar outfitted the room, in addition to numerous strange trinkets Bones picked up over the years and had on display. A door led to Bones' own room in addition to an open doorway that showed some sort of galley area.
The galley was humble. A wood stove. A table, three chairs, and stocked cabinets filled the small room. Another door led back into the hall from here.
Beside the galley was a narrow room that contained two bunk beds built into the room itself. Four beds altogether, but with odd, mismatched blankets, sheets, and pillowcases. The top rear bed looks like it's spoken for-- a stack of Pulp magazine, and an American comic book sat waiting for their owner to come back. A pin-up girl wearing a tight yellow top and nearly nothing else smiled seductively from the cover of an issue of FLIRT magazine that was tacked to the wall near the top bunk. A caption on the cover read: In this issue: Broadways Famous Fannys!
The rear of the boat contained the engine compartment, a dismantled bomb lays on the floor still where it had been left by Max and the Sarge. The boiler itself ran of firewood-- stacks of which sat outside of the room, just below a set of two hatches where they could easily be restocked from.
-
Wrapping up the broken shards of the once priceless ancient dagger, Loder stands up and follows Bones downstairs. "A brandy sounds just about perfect right now."
-
“We really took some of this great stuff with us? I love this drink! I am definitely coming Bones…”
-
Downstairs, Bones stands at his bar. It is clear that he is a man of taste from his wide selection of alcohol. He pours three glasses, two Brandy, and one with the local 'shine-- "Here you go fellas. The best that I have to offer!" he holds his own glass up to the others, "After today, we NEED this." He takes a good sized swig--
He sits down at the chess board, in rounded couch in the corner. Behind him a series of empty bottles are displayed-- likely a collection that had grown over a series of drunken nights--
"So Doc, Zaikara give you a gift? I don't think I saw what it was? Anything interesting?"
-
Putting down his brandy, Loder reaches into his bag and pulls out the book he was given. "It's a fairly well-known book written by some of the first explorers in the area. It's more or less required reading for anyone in my field. I'm sure it'll prove useful for our pathfinders once we get downriver. This particular copy used to belong to our man Dunning. The old woman kept it after he died."
Loder hands the book over to Harrison and takes another slow sip from his drink.
-
"Really?" Bones said turning the book over in his hands. It was worn, and well-loved. "I had no clue that he'd left anything behind there-- I can't believe that over these past few years no one mentioned this to me..."
He looked at the book a moment longer before popping it open. Inside, handwritten annotations made by the man Albert Dunning himself. A folded slip of paper fell out, and landed on the floor. Bones didn't seem to notice, as he continued to look through the book.
-
Loder bends down to pick up the piece of paper that fell from Dunning's book. "What's this?"
Carefully unfolding the yellowed paper, Loder gasps at the sight that he beholds...
-
Richard finds a comfortable place to sit on the deck of the boat and keeps watch, rifle at the ready.
-
standing comfortably at the wheel Russo concentrates on the helm and where he was going thinking about home and his old plane.
-
"What?" Bones said looking up from the book. "What is it?"
He raised an eyebrow in curiosity, while taking another swig from his drink.
-
Stammering slightly, Loder exclaims. "This must be what the Nazis were looking for when they dug up Dunning's grave! Look!"
He holds out the aged piece of paper which had been in the book. On the paper, what appeared to be written with a quill pen in blood, was a hand drawn map and notes on distances and landmarks.
-
Bones quickly set the book down on the chess board in the center of the table. "Are you pulling my leg?" Bones said incredulously. "Max! Look at this!" Bones peers over Loder's shoulder to look at the map, still holding his glass-- though forgotten now by the sight of the map. His face shone like Christmas morning--
"Look at it! It shows the route that he traveled to get to the city-- it's clearly drawn out!" Bones points to a part of the map-- "There. See? That's the location of the old mission, back before it became Machete Landing... There is where the village was just beyond... the first set of ruins they found..." He smacks Loder on the shoulder, almost knocking the map from his hands.
[spoiler]So yeah, I had drawn a map based on an idea that I had had-- however, it sucked. it was okay in theory, but it was weak-sauce in practice. Even if I don't get a finished Map prop finished-- your PCs HAVE the "real map" and will have no problem following it. :P[/spoiler]
Meanwhile, above and on the deck of the Halcon, the travelers could hear Bones' excited voice from below, though what exactly he was going on about was a mystery. Pingo slipped out of his restful spot in his hammock, and went down the steps to the deck below.
"What's he going on about down there?" The Kid says, looking up from his game.
-
"Wadday reckon' all that noise is about, Eisen?" John asks as he gets up and starts to go to the stairs to get below deck.
-
Not one to leave the deck unattended with poor Russo, outside, Eisen makes his way to the entrance of the steering room, crouching just around the corner from the door, with his rifle laid out across his lap. "I would assume they're getting drunk, but if it's something important, or if you're so inclined as to be able to check, I'll watch up here while you see if they're getting themselves hurt yet, heheheh." In an odd sort of way, he seemed in a good mood. He patted twice on the wall, speaking round the corner, "Don't worry Russo; I've got your back, we're not ALL leaving you, heheh."
-
I cannot believe we are so lucky Bone” ….“It seems like we may have the edge against those Nazis now…well if this map is real…”
Max also examines the map…
Navigate check (take 10): 18 to try and memorize basic points in the route that it is shown in the map.
-
"Thanks Eisen, I'll go check on them just to be sure." John smiles.
"So, what's going on here guys? We could hear your excitement on the deck." John asks as he enters the lounge area.
-
"heh, nice to know I've not been totally abandoned! she's a good boat to helm but I bet you could get lonely up here."
he steers the craft around being very gentle with el Halcon as if he was dancing with a man's sister...
"bet bones cracked out the moonshine or something," he chuckles in his vest top the once-white-but-now-brown shirt sitting like a dead thing on the deck, "What do you thinks waiting for us at the landing? Hopefully it wont be what we just left"
-
Looking up at John with an ear-to-ear grin, Loder is barely able to contain his excitement. "We found Dunning's OTHER MAP! The one the Nazis dug his grave up looking for! It was in the book the old woman gave me all this time!"
-
Downstairs
[spoiler]
Bones looks up to see the arrival of the Sarge and Pingo. He has a smile plastered to his face. He signs to Pingo, and Pingo responds with an open-mouth tongueless smile.
Taking note of the darkening color outside of the small porthole window, he says, "I'm going to run upstairs for a moment, I think that I'm going to anchor the old gal. Help yourselves to my booze. The Nazis technically paid for it all anyway." he says chuckling "We SHOULD be pretty safe anchored away from shore, but I think that you'd all agree that we should set up a watch anyway.
"There are three bunks that are not taken a couple of rooms down, Pingo usually sleep up in his hammock, and the Kid takes that fourth bunk.
"Decide who's going to watch and when. I'll be back."[/spoiler]
Upstairs
[spoiler]Bones re-emerges from below deck. "Hey fellas, we're going to anchor this baby for the night. I told the others downstairs to decide of watch. You may want to get together with them and add your two cents.
"Paco... Esteban... Mire para el apuro a mis amigos. Dé un grito ruidoso si usted ve cualquier cosa extraño." They nod in response. The kid looks at Bones with a questioning look. "We've got a map that Dunning had made. It's going to lead us to the Lost City, kiddo! Get to the foredeck, and get ready to drop anchor on my word." He gives and excited 'Whooop!!' as he turns to climb the wheelhouse steps.
"Alright Russo. You're relieved of duty-- thank you for not ramming us into a bank or rocks. You liked that map I had from before? Wait till you get a load of what the Doc has now! We've got the Nazis by the 'short and curly hairs' now!
"I'm going to get this baby tucked in for the night. Go have yourselves a drink if you'd like. You too you magnificent krout" Bones says, that last part directed towards Eisen with a smile.
Night was rapidly closing in, and the nights sounds of the jungle were rapidly overtaking the sounds of the day. Somehow, surrounded by water, it felt much safer than the previous two nights camping on the jungle floor.
Hundreds of bats fly over head, as they go out in search of their evening meals.[/spoiler]
-
"what is it? another map!?" he asks excitedly Bones' mood infecting him, he released the wheel and handed el Halcon back to Bones then moving downstairs taking time to pat Eisen on the shoulder and make a gesture inviting him down
"come on you heard him sounds interesting"
-
Richard goes downstairs, his curiosity piqued. At least with this new map he'll finally have an idea of where he'll be taking these people next.
-
It didn't take long before Bones had gotten the boat anchored for the night. The river was quiet, and none had seen any other boats traveling. It was even less likely now that it was evening.
Bones, and the Kid joined Pingo and the rest in the Salon. He came in wearing a huge smile, and went straight to the bar for another drink.
"This is reason enough to celebrate, fellas. Help yourself to the bar! I've got it VERY well stocked, and if you check underneath, you will find the Orino Perro Moonshine as well. STRONG, but good stuff!" He says just as he raises his own glass to his lips.
"My home is your home. Treat it with respect, and you can have the run of it. I've got 3 bunks that aren't spoken for in the room down the hall. Whomever's in there gets to share the room with the Kid. I've got the one couch in here. Pretty much it is 'fend for yourself' here.
"I'm willing to work first watch, but how do you want to go about this? There are 10 of us who can stand watch-- that including the two boys upstairs with the mules, and the horse. I'm going to leave it up to you to decide though. I'll fit in where I can.
"We have two nights on the Halcon-- tomorrow we'll be traveling the river all day, and we'll stop again when the dark comes. The next day after that though, we'll make it to 'Machete Landing', where the old Mission was."
-
Loder sits at the rounded couch and lays out both of Dunning's maps on the table as well as his letters. He looks over each of them intently searching for any additional information that may not be apparent.
-
Eisen takes a seat at the end of the couch, "I'd prefer the first shift, and a chair to sleep in afterwards, if that's not a problem." He then takes out his kit for cleaning, lays his handgun on the table, and starts cleaning his rifle, keeping the handgun not a foot away from the cloth for easy access. "Let's hope Bones is right, and cannibals don't climb onboard and kill us in our sleep, yes?" Once finished with the rifle, which takes him a militantly short period of time, he does his handgun likewise, and then starts shuffling around the bar for food, hoping to not need to use another ration pack.
-
Russo pours himself a drink of something dark and strong takes a sip and almost spits is back out when he sees what Loader is pawing over
"Is that what I think it is!? This must be the most detailed map he made!" he settles excitedly over Loader's shoulder again "was this what the Nazi were after when they dug the poor guy up?"
-
Loder grins. "For a man dying, he gave us the only map we will need! Look at this Russo-- see how he wrote this in his own blood? Poor bastard..."
Bones hands out drinks to the rest of the men, and kicks back in a chair. "All these years..." he says shaking his head. A wry smirk on his face. "I've been hunting for Dunning's damned city all of these years, and this whole time... the map had been in that little village. When I first came to Orino Perro, I knew that there had been rumors connecting Dunning to that place, but even after becoming close to the villagers, they never even mentioned it to me."
"Maybe they didn't think it was important, or perhaps they thought maybe you'd dig up the poor man to hunt through his belongings... Who knows? Doesn't matter now though. I guess maybe NOW was the right time?" Loder lets out a large audible yawn. "I'm going to hit the sack gentlemen. Down the hall, Bones?" Bones nodded.
"Alright. I'll see you all in the morning." Loder says. He picked up the book that the old woman had given to him, and he tucked the map back in amongst the pages where it had originally fallen from.
[Max, you have no trouble committing the details of the map to memory.]
-
"So, judging from that map, will we be facing any major obstacles on our journey to that lost city?" John asks as he kicks back on the couch with a glass of the stuff Bones took with him from the village.
"By the way Eisen, if you want first watch, I'll take second."
-
"In his own blood, Jesus. He must have been desperate," Russo takes Loader's place at the table and nurses his drink staring deeply into the dark liquid "why I wonder would he have been so desperate to show others the location of this place? Judging from what happened to him (and whats happened to us so far) it seems like this place is nothing but a whole shit-heap of trouble" Russo mumbles to nobody in particular his head nodding slowly into sleep, lost in his own thoughts it doesn't take him long to fall asleep on the couch the mostly full glass still on the table.
-
Bones scratches his stubble with a thoughtful finger. "No obstacles that we can't handle. There is a large ravine that may be a problem, but that is assuming the rope bridge that Dunning drew on the map has fallen over the last twenty or so years.
"It could still be there, for all I know. The maps takes us deep into unexplored territory. Richard, Max and I should be able to get us through it no problem." Bones downs his drink in another gulp.
"Ahhh! Good shit!" He says wiping his mouth. "There seemed to be some sort of swampland we'll have to navigate as well beyond that, but I really don't foresee anything problematic as long as we can keep our feet dry. No need for jungle rotted toes.
"When we get to the old Mission, we can resupply if we need. I think that since Dunning had written about it in his letter it is still worth checking out. But I think that I can get us MUCH closer before we need to leave this old girl behind. I DON'T really want to leave it at the former Mission. They call it Machete Landing these days, but just cause they sell supplies to travelers, doesn't mean I like the idea of leaving this boat at their dock while we head inland.
"Unless you guys have any problems, I'd like to stop in real quick, check out the Mission and skip the village beyond all together. From what I saw on the map, I think I know of a tributary we can take that will get us awfully close to the first set of ruins Dunning had written about. From there, I'd say we can travel the old fashioned way from there.
"I'd feel better if we tied up El Halcon somewhere where only WE know about it. Savvy? Do any of you have anything to add? Richard? Max?"
-
Richard quietly examines the map while the others talk around him. When his name is said, he look up at Bones. "Just be on the lookout for trouble, I'll get us where we need to go."
He then grabs his rifle and stands up, heading back to the deck of the ship.
-
Max simply nods Bones showing his agreement of what he says…He then makes his way to one of the beds. On his watch he will start rigging the nazi’s bomb to work and will connect it to a time detonator.
Craft mechanical (take 20): 28
Demolitions (take 10): 18
-
[spoiler]though he can't voice his opinions right now Russo Intends to set up his guns on the bow and stern of deck when he next has a chance[/spoiler]
-
Tuesday June, 10th 1941
The Pasión River
Eisen
[spoiler]
Taking first shift assured a good night's rest of uninterrupted sleep-- that was one way of looking at it.
Eisen patrolled the deck and his two hours went by relatively quickly. Occasionally he stopped by the brothers, who were still playing cards. The language barrier prevented anything meaningful from being said, but the two men nodded and smiled in Eisen's direction when he did pass. Eventually, one of the times he came by the two had finally gone to bed. Sleeping right on the deck, but under the aft oiled-tarp roof.
Pingo had crawled into his hammock and was asleep nearly immediately. While walking the decks, Eisen passed the sleeping native countless times. He couldn't help but think upon what Max had said earlier in the day... about the possibility of demonic possession. Could it be true? Could Pingo be a host for a strange demonic entity that desired their destruction? Then again, Max had said that both Sgt. Kestrel and himself could easily be in possession by this... entity. But Pingo didn't stir. He slept soundly. The only sound that competed with the native's tongue-less snoring was the droning of the jungle rains which carried through the whole of his shift.
When Eisen last checked his watch it was nearing 0100. He discovered Sgt Kestrel downstairs in the Lounge where the man had apparently fallen asleep on the second of the two couches. Russo, had curled up on the rounded couch and didn't stir when Eisen nudged Kestrel awake. Kestrel nodded, and went to the upper deck, leaving Eisen downstairs.
Eisen settled upon a chair in the connecting Galley. He had found crackers and canned food in the cabinets here earlier, and the chair would serve his purpose of supporting him while he slept... but it guaranteed that he wouldn't sleep too soundly. No one wanted to wake up with their throat slit. He set his weapon on the galley table, and soon nodded off...[/spoiler]
Kestrel
[spoiler]
John must have fallen asleep on the couch, because that is where he was when Eisen found him for his shift. Russo had fallen asleep first that evening and was still asleep over on the other couch.
John made his way out into the hall, then knocked lightly on the door to Bones' cabin. Bones answered it, wearing a pair of boxer shorts. He said that he'd be up to help watch in a minute. Kestrel climbed to the upper deck, and found that it was drizzling. It was always drizzling though. It had a way of affecting a man's mood after awhile. At least, while you traveled on the boat, you were able to keep dry, even if it was always too warm and humid for comfort.
The night was alive with crickets and frogs, and the sounds of other creatures John couldn't even imagine. The jungle certainly was something he hadn't really had a chance to encounter before, and it's unfamiliar strangeness helped keep him on his toes.
Bones came up after a few moments, he was dressed now, wearing a clean pair of pants and shirt, He settled his hat upon his head before he stepped out into the drizzle so he could take a leak of the side of the boat into the river. The two men made small talk, Bones telling him a story or two from his days when he himself had first come down here.
He had lived in Philly, then in Chicago. He claimed to have known ten or so years earlier before the man was sent to prison for tax evasion. He talked about meeting the Kid in Tijuana when he had traveled south through Mexico. The boy had been living off the streets, and legitimately didn't know his own name. Most had just called him Pepito or kid. Bones took him under his wing, and the Kid had been like a little brother ever since.
Bones hit the sack again right around the time Kestrel went to wake up Richard for his shift, the Kestrel to joined him in slumber, once again returning to the couch in the lounge. Russo still slept soundly, and Eisen could be seen sleeping in the galley, propped up in his chair.[/spoiler]
Richard
[spoiler]The rains came down, and the heat dragged the sweat from every pore. It ran down your face, and salt stung your eyes. You were dirty, tired, and sick. Somehow you had all been poisoned. You vaguely remember that the priest that had traveled with your group had killed off the rest of them. Once you had reached the city it had only been a matter of time.
You knew the priest was evil, and you doubted that he was even human at this point. Looking down you saw that you had a grievous injury. Claw marks. Deep, and inflamed from infection. Jungle flies had been laying eggs in your wounds, and you could feel their larva squirming around just beneath your skin.
You felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. Of loss. You thought about your mother and how you would miss her.
Fever raged in your body, and you collapsed more times than you could keep track of, but you knew you must continue-- knew you must go on. You couldn't die like this, not out here in the jungle where none would mourn nor even know of your passing, save perhaps a carrion feeding animal. Or the worms.
You stopped once more to catch your breath-- it wasn't supposed to be for long-- but you suspect that you may have passed out again. You had a map that you had created-- one of the city, and another one that you had begun to create during your flight through the days in the jungle. This map could lead you to safety, if only your could manage to follow the trail that had brought you and your group out here...
Richard awoke with a start-- rain continued to fall, and the sky was still black. Sergent Kestrel stood next to him, though he seemed to have been taken aback by Richard's gasp at awakening. It had been just a dream. Vivid. The memories of it still fresh within his head. It had felt very real.
Kestrel gave over the shift, and by the hands on Richard's watch it was within the 3AM hour. Kestrel left him to his post, and went below deck. Presumably to sleep himself.
Pingo woke up during Richard's shift, and he brought out a canteen of water. The two of them shared it in silence, though thoughts of poisoning were still fresh within Richard's head. However neither men had any ill effects from the water. It was just water, after all.
All was well in the night, and Pingo's presence was comforting, even if Richard would never admit it to anyone. The jungle was filled with its evening chorus of frogs and insects. Bats continued overhead as they dined upon the veritable smorgasbord of bugs that filled the air.
Eventually it came time for Richard's watch to end. He found Max in the room with the bunks. He quietly rocked him awake-- Dr. Loder and the Kid were both asleep in this room as well.
Richard returned to the upper deck, and once again laid down to sleep.
[/spoiler]
Max
[spoiler]
Sleep had come easily. Max had spent many a night traveling on El Halcon with Bones in the past. It was a familiar feeling and a comforting one as well. The days events continued to lay heavily on Max's mind. Of Muta. Of the villagers. Of the bomb.
He made his way to the engine compartment and retrieved the explosive device. It's teeth had been taken away by Kestrel earlier while you confronted the entity that was controlling Muta like a marionette puppet.
All aboard were asleep except Max, including Pingo who had gone to bed shortly after Richard had. This gave the man plenty of time to think about things, and to work on re-wiring the bomb. Max successfully rigged it with a timed detonator, and it was added to Max's possessions (as Nazi Bomb).
The morning rays of sun began to filter through the treetops, and birds begun to sing and call loudly at around 6:30 to 7AM.
[/spoiler]
Coffee was made, and so was a breakfast of oatmeal that Bones cooked up in the Galley. Soon though he took control of the helm, and once the boiler had heated up, and the anchor raised El Halcon was once again moving through the river waters.
The rain had let up by dawn, and a heavy fog settled over the waters giving the river an eerie look and feel.
"Hey Russo. Go ahead and set up those guns of yours. You never know if they'll come in handy." Bones said from over a cup of black coffee. "Kid, Pingo-- Why don't the two of you grab some fishing poles and see about catching us some fresh fish for lunch? Any one who wished to join them, go ahead to stern. If any of you can out fish that tongueless bastard, you're a better man than me!"
-
"Let me help you with that, Russo." John says as he follows Russo to his equipment.
-
"That's what your sister said to me last week, sergeant!" Bones says calling out the wheelhouse window with a smile. Below him on the foredeck he could see the two in their preparations. "Russo, when you're done setting up those 'meat-makers' would you be interested in taking a turn in the wheelhouse?"
-
Russo nodded to both men wearily, "sure thing Bones", he was still sleepy having spent a solid night on the couch and every part of him ached with that bone ache one gets after being roughed up, his shoulder had an uncomfortable crick in in it that refused to shift no matter how much he moved or massaged it, and it was a distraction he could do without. the guns went up smoothly on both the prow and aft deck with John's help despite how much Russo fussed over one of them complaining it had been out in the damp for too long, muttering to himself about rusted gams and other rude analogies as he looked the large gun over and under several times. Satisfied and meaning to give them both a good oiling when he got the chance he asked Bones for some rope and fishing it out wherever the man pointed, tying the thick rope securely around the tripods and making them unshiftable through almost anything the water could throw and then a second rope to the back of the guns themselves"just to keep the girls safe"
with a nod at his handiwork he moved off to assist Bones, he liked the Halcon, it felt good to helm reminded him of Italy
-
[spoiler]
Fishing!!!
(http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/5341/fishingv.jpg)
Pingo has enough line, hooks, and bait for everyone to fish during the day. None of you are professional fishermen, so you take a -4 to your fishing attempt. You may take one attempt per hour, so you may fish all day if you want, but note that your character is only fishing during the hours that you have rolled for.
So in brief, to fish for one hour roll 1d20. Your target DC is 15. For every point above 15 you get, you add .5 lbs to the weight of the fish. (according to the rules I'm referencing a 17 equals a 1lb fish. Fish smaller are good for snacks. ;))
Have fun and Happy Fishing![/spoiler]
-
Richard has begun to feel a kinship with Pingo, both make their homes in the jungle and are more comfortable there than anywhere else, and so he goes and joins him in the fishing. Richard keeps his rifle near, but relaxes somewhat for the first time since they arrived in Santa Boca.
[spoiler]
Fishing: 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2163332/)
[/spoiler]
-
Pingo nods to Richard and pats the older man on his shoulder in camaraderie.
For the first hour that Pingo fished, both Richard and he caught nothing. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2163777/)
Pingo signed to Kestrel, and encouraged him to join him. Bones (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2163780/), The Kid (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2163781/), and Paco (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2163785/) all managed to catch nothing.
Esteban (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2163783/) pulled a small fish out of the river, it wasn't much but he danced around on the deck with childlike glee. "¡Cogí un pescado!" he cried aloud. Paco smiled in return, "¡Buen trabajo, pequeño hermano!"
-
John claps as he sees Esteban run around deck with his catch.
"Let's see if I have Esteban's luck." John smiles as he gets a fishing rod and joins Richard and Pingo.
[spoiler]4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2163822/)
Well, that sucks :P
I'll try for the rest of the day, that's what, 7 more rolls?
12,18,18,18,4,6,4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2163831/)
Well, looks like we've got diner :D[/spoiler]
-
Having fished for two hours, (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2163812/) Eisen decides to give up on the task; after all, the moving boat probably isn't helping in luring in the damned things anyways. Instead, Eisen went to go unpack and pack his belongings, to make sure grenades and all were still in prime use. Sufficiently bored, after the whole twenty minutes he wasted unpacking, he decided to instead keep an eye out into the jungle, and an ear open. While he did, he kept the rifle next to him, and a rod in his hands, not expecting to catch anything (which he did) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2163845/), but hoping to at least not trod on the fun the others were having. Though the jungle provided good cover, his sight was in this case much better than his hearing, with the roar of the motor and the ridiculous celebration of the one caught fish. Still, he at least could do his job, no matter how much safer they were supposed to be in the middle of a river....
[spoiler](Spot:23, Listen:12) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2163837/)[/spoiler]
-
Pingo spends the whole morning fishing-- catches two smaller fish, and one two pounder! The afternoon was uneventful, and he gave up after 2PM.
The Kid fished unsuccessfully up until noon, but then he managed to pull in a nice two and a half pound fish!
[spoiler]
PINGO
10AM 1d20 ? [15] = (15) Tiddly
11AM 1d20 ? [15] = (15) Tiddly
12PM 1d20 ? [19] = (19) 2lbs!
1PM 1d20 ? [4] = (4) Nada
2PM 1d20 ? [4] = (4) Nada
THE KID
10AM 1d20 ? [10] = (10) Nada
11AM 1d20 ? [4] = (4) Nada
12 PM 1d20 ? [20] = (20) Booyah! 2.5 lbs!!
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]What about Kestrel? :D[/spoiler]
-
Richard fishes alongside Pingo, but spends more time on the lookout for danger than paying attention to his rod and so only catches a small fish.
[spoiler]
10 am -7
11 am -10
12 pm -6
1 pm -12
2 pm - 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2165652/)
[/spoiler]
-
Emerging sluggishly onto the deck with a cup of no-longer-hot coffee in his hand, Loder staggers over to the side and stares out into the passing jungle. He watches the others fish momentarily before heading back down to the lounge to pore over Dunning's maps.
-
Max stayed downstairs checking out his equipment and explosives and cleaning his weaponry. Once Dr Loder heads down and starts poring over Dunning’s maps, Max join him.
“….what is your feeling about that Loder? Supernatural entities and a lost Mayan city…”
-
Loder looks up from the maps with a tired smile. "Well, the lost Mayan city is of no surprise to me. These jungles are probably FILLED with lost cities just waiting to be found. I have absolutely no idea about any of this supernatural stuff though."
Pulling out a compass and checking over both Dunning's blood-printed map as well as a topographical map of Guatemala, Loder mumbles. "If we go through this way, we may be able to cut some time off the journey..."
[spoiler]Navigate = 26 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2165750/)[/spoiler]
-
After a couple of hours of fishing Sgt. Kestrel finally gets lucky and catches 3 fish large enough to be used for dinner in a relatively short timespan, each fish weighing about 1.5 pounds.
Even though he didn't catch anything else in the hours after that, he was still quite pleased with his results for the day, as evidenced by the grin on his face.
-
Fresh Fish for lunch. The scent of frying fish leaks from the Galley porthole as well flows from the hall and up the stairs. Fresh bread, jerky, and a variety of fruits and vegetables round out the spread. The Kid has cooked all of the fish that have been presented to him. He whistles happily while he cooks your food.
The pattering of the rain upon the roof of the boat continued starting in the mid-morning towards early afternoon. It took away the normally lingering bugs, or at least decreased their interest in buzzing around your heads.
Pingo has returned to his hammock to relax. Through the open windows of the top deck cabin the shouts of howler monkeys echo loudly at the boats passing, joined still by the never ending cacophony of frogs.
Up in the wheelhouse Bones and Russo share the wheel, and talk about their exploits.
RUSSO
[spoiler]"I can't believe that you got yourself mixed up with two dames at once! Crazy! One girl at a time is plenty for me, I ain't got that kind of stamina anymore." Bones says over a glass of bourbon. His hand on the wheel.
"The problem with the girls down here, is that their fathers all want to marry them off." Bones says with a smile. "Though sometimes I wish that Kid had a mother of some kind. This is no life for him." He takes a mouthful of bourbon. "Ah, what do I know. The Kid is better off with me, than being on the streets right?"[/spoiler]
-
Pingo lays with his hands behind his head, wishing the jungle didn't breathe and scream on a constant basis. Oh well, probably better if he didn't get too relaxed. Pingo wasn't entirely sure he could relax while being out. Ever since that day with the cannibals... if Bones hadn't been around he would have lost more than his tongue, his life as well. But sometimes Pingo would wonder if he would have been better off as dead, at least then, joining his loved ones in the afterlife.
[spoiler]Pingo misses his wife and kid. The adventure was a welcome distraction.[/spoiler]
Maybe time for just a small light nap, Pingo thought, the others will hoot and holler if something were to happen for sure. Pingo closes his eyes.
-
Max & Loder
[spoiler]
As the two men discuss the map, and their options. The sun's progress across the sky continues. Late afternoon approaches. By this time, both Max and Loder have poured intently over the Map of Blood and cross-referencing the Map of Guatemala and environs that Loder had spread out across the table. (Max has also had plenty of time to get Loder up to date on what Bones had had to say the previous evening (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=3947.msg167915#msg167915).)
Armed with the Map of Blood there was no way that the Nazis could beat them to the Lost City now... could they? However, there was the matter of this demon. According to your interpretations of the Dunning Letters, the demon had already been to this city once before... perhaps it could give the Nazis an edge even without the map.
Of course, this was something none of the party members could control, and dwelling on this possibility would do no good. Hope for the Best, but expect the worse.[/spoiler]
The Kid carried something in his hands, walking quietly up to the sleeping Pingo wearing his baseball cap and a smile as wide as his face. A moment later he runs out of the upper deck's cabin, and back down to the lower decks.
Pingo
[spoiler]You find that you are dragged from sleep by an unusual sensation in your pants. There's seems to be a small fish flapping around against your skin.[/spoiler]
From downstairs the boys uproarious laughter breaks his silence, and his amused cackling is easily heard.
-
Standing up and stretching out the tension in his shoulders, Loder excuses himself and heads up to the deck for some fresh air. Strange thoughts of magic and demons and lost cities buzzed through his mind making it nearly impossible to concentrate on any one thing.
-
Russo continues talking to Bones though most of the day, regaling the man with his own daring exploits and being told a few in return
"Tell me about it! Its not much better no matter where you go, never let an italian father catch wind of your exploits or else he'll have you married quick as a frenchie's surrender, and never let the mother find out, she would more likely kill you, have you limping for the wedding and make you think twice about a wedding night." he takes a break from the anecdotes and stares out across the river
"So where did you pick that kid up anyway? He's like a little puppy following you around, not that I'm not gad he's here" he lights a cigarette "Saved my life at least, he's a good kid, would probably be bored with a normal life anyhow"
-
Russo
[spoiler]
Bones responds to Russo's question about the Kid.
"Well, I had been traveling through Tijuana at the time. I had an enormous gambling debt hanging over my head with the notorious Al Capone. This was before he was sent to prison, mind you. Or did I already tell you this part? Shit. This is good bourbon." He gives a winning smirk.
"Whatever. I was traveling through Tijuana to avoid a hit that was put out on me. I figured that if I ran away even beyond Mexico, there'd be no way they could find me.
"Man... I was wrong though. That was when I met Max. I'm lucky to have met him though. He's like a brother to me-- or at least like a cousin. But that is Max's story, if he wants you to know it.
"I met the Kid when he picked my pocket at a Tijuana pit fight I was attending. I actually broke all of the fingers on his right hand before I realized that it was just a kid. I felt pretty bad about it, and I got him help. I dunno, he just never stopped hanging around, I guess."
"Well, it doesn't look like it's going to be too long before we stop again for the night. Take the wheel once more?"Bones thanks Russo and went down the stairs to the top deck cabin.[/spoiler]
"Whoa, whoa! Pingo-- is that a fish in your pants or are you just happy to see me! Hah hah hah!" Bones says arriving on the scene of the prank. "Nice one, Kid." He muttered to himself with a smile. He grabbed his fishing tackle, and tried his hand, relaxing and drinking. It was clear that he was going to sleep well that night... it was his awakening that would be rough in the morning.
[spoiler]
1d20=9
1d20=13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2169851/)
[/spoiler]
Though he caught nothing, he looked more at peace with himself since leaving the shattered village of Orino Perro. He took control of his boat once again, asking Russo if he would be so kind as to be ready to drop anchor.
Outside the day gave way to night as dusk nestled down around the rivercraft. The day had been peaceful, and travel by boat was by far the best part of your journey up until now. A few small canoes had been passed with shirtless fishermen. They would wave in recognition of El Halcon, a well known boat along the rivers in the area. Bones found a nice tributary to tuck the boat off away from the sight of the main river. Russo dropped anchor, and the boat came to rest safely in the middle of the vein of water.
The Kid prepared dinner as well, a hearty stew with vegetables gotten from the Villagers of Orino Perro. He seemed to know his way around the kitchen, and he made it clear that it was his in his mastery of it. A short as he was, he made a good cook. Over this very discussion during dinner a nickname arose "Short Order" as in short order cook. The alcohol imbibed made it more amusing at the time.
[If there is anything you'd like to clear up or do before the bedtime watches start, now's the time to do it. I will run them just like the previous night unless anyone has any objections. Then we will be close to getting to Machete Landing aka The Old Mission...]
-
Loder heads back downstairs to collect the maps and returns a few minutes later with his holster strapped back on and a flashlight. "I'll take first watch this time, if that's alright with you fellows."
-
"Sure thing, Doc." John says as he goes downstairs and lays out his equipment on the table now that the Doc's maps are out of the way. He wants to make sure all of his gear is in perfect working order by then, 'cause you never know when you might need it.
He then starts by inspecting and cleaning his guns, one by one.
-
Bones, drunk like it's New Years, wobbles to the door to his cabin, passing the open Lounge doors. Inside he notices the good sergeant fussing with his gear at the rounded couch.
"Hey! You know that's a chessboard you've got your junk on--" He says with a belligerent tone. Without waiting for Kestrel's response... He immediately goes into his cabin, and shuts the door behind him.
The Kid wraps up his evening card game with the two brothers, taking his wins downstairs to his bunk. Tonight he got around ten dollars and a Tijuana Bible (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana_bible) featuring Wimpy making whoopie to Olive Oyl and Bettie Boop. The Kid counted it as a good night.
He stowed his belongings in a dented old foot-locker and climbed into the top rear bunk.
Rain beat upon the tarped-roof over the mules. The animals had been mostly docile for the journey, and Esteban and his brother Paco had done a good job of cleaning up after the animals, swabbing the deck, and keeping the beast fed and watered.
They camped near the steam pipe towards the rear of the overhang. The rain that came down was within feet of them, but they insisted they were fine when offered alternative sleeping arrangements. Tonight was no different as the sky brought a steady rain. It was loud drowning out all but the frogs who were glorifying its coming with an even more forceful zeal than before.
-
So The Kid liked to play jokes eh? Well, Pingo's got jokes. As The Kid settles into bed Pingo slowly slides out from underneath it, reaching up to shake The Kid and moan as loudly as a man with no tongue can.
Fish in pants still funny Kid?
How about you pissing in your pants? Cause that'd be hilarious.
-
The Kid responds with the desired response as he gives a shrill cry! He curses loudly at Pingo in Spanish and English.
"KEEP IT DOWN DAMMIT!" Bones shouts from within his cabin.
-
Dr. Loder
[spoiler]
Night settles in, as does Dr. Loder for his first watch. The brothers talk softly to each other in their corner, back with the animals. The rain continues its steady droning. It certainly was nice to have this boat, traveling by land was bad enough, but dealing with these rains... The Nazis could have been more considerate and planned the expedition when the rainy season had ended.
Loder sat up in the wheelhouse during the majority of his watch. He peered out the windows from time to time while spending t he rest of the time reading through the book that had contained the map. Rain pelted the window panes with heavy drops of water. Outside the night was as dark as any he'd seen out in the countryside of Schwenksville, Pennsylvania.
When his shift is over, he finds both Eisen and John down in the Kitchen area. Russo is passed out again, this time on the couch that the sergeant had slept on during the previous night.[/spoiler]
Kestrel & Eisen
[spoiler]
The Doctor found the two of you in the Kitchen with the coffee pot. Both of you had managed a short nap before your shifts, and since Bones was out cold, you decided to share the second. Russo was passed out again, though this time the Italian had taken the leather couch Kestrel had slept in the previous night.
Rain continued as the two men made there way upstairs. They made certain their weapons were cleaned-- and they struck up a conversation about various firearms that they've known and loved over the years.
Next they woke up Richard and Pingo, both men were already sleeping on the upper deck. Pingo in his hammock, and Richard in his sleeping bag on the floor in the corner.
[/spoiler]
Richard & Pingo
[spoiler]
Rain greets you as well as both John and Eisen. The changing of the guard. The two men head back downstairs, presumably to sleep in the lounge or galley as they had the night before.
Darkness greeted the two men, and again the began their watch in silence, with nothing but the droning raindrops...[/spoiler]
-
Pingo walked back and forth, pacing as he kept a careful eye on the tree line. Spear laid over his shoulder like a rifle, his machete sheathed, but his hand laid on it nonetheless. His eyes were open wide, trying to get as much moon light as possible. He silently chuckled as he thought about his joke on The Kid. It was the usual really, he often frightened The Kid for fun.
Pingo paused to listen carefully and take another scan of his surroundings, it paid to pay attention in the jungle. He had learned that the hard way.
[spoiler]First roll Listen: Second roll Spot: (1d20+2=15, 1d20+3=14) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2171429/)[/spoiler]
-
(http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/9898/halconpreround.jpg)
The treeline is incredibly hard to discern, much less anything else for that matter. The cloud cover, and the constant down-pouring of rain make it close to impossible to to see anything, let alone hear much.
But still the two of you keep watch.
Sleepily, Esteban wakes up. He shuffles into the rain to pee over the side. He gives Richard and Pingo a sleepy grin afterward. "¡Es demasiado mojado incluso gozar el ir al cuarto de baño!".
He shuffles back to his sleeping back, taking the path from the upper cabin between the sleeping mules. (18-M)
"¡Madre de dios! ¡Qué sucedió a mi hermano! ¡Oh no! ¡Paco!" The man cries aloud frantically-- it is a short-lived cry* as the man's body slumps to the deck, much like as if he fainted.
[Richard and Pingo. Please give me your positions based upon the grid shown on the map above. And your immediate actions, please. I imagine that due to the heavy rains that you wouldn't LIKELY be just standing in the rain outside of the main cabin. Also, there are a lot of animals packed into that rear section.]
*[spoiler]Already I can tell that some of you are like "Hey! Did we hear that?" You might have. PM me a listen check, but remember, the DC is significantly higher due to the normal volume of the frogs and rainfall. Also If you are not on watch at this moment, you are sleeping and suffer a -10 as well. Pleasant dreams![/spoiler]
-
Due to the rain, Richard was in the wheelhouse. He had opened all of the windows to give him a clear shot at whatever he might spot. When he heard the cry, he ran to the back and looked around, trying to figure out what happened.
[spoiler]
End position: K 19
Doing sweep as described in character sheet
Spot check: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2172695/)
Man, invisiblecastle has really been hating me lately.
[/spoiler]
-
Pingo had currently wandered to L6 area. Pingo, although mute, was definitely not deaf in the least bit, he heard the the shout as well. Pulling his machete out of it's sheath, he raised it up, his spear still on his shoulder, looking around in his immediate vicinity for danger. Pingo then lowered his spear, a feeling telling him that combat would soon be at hand.
[spoiler]Spot lol three...do I even need to post a link. I see shit.[/spoiler]
-
Russo passed out on the sofa once more, slept on. Blissfully unaware of any spanish shouting or any other noise for that matter.
-
As Richard leaves the wheelhouse, he comes down the stairs to pass Pingo in the main cabin. The two share a silent cautious look, before the move to opposite ends of the boat.
Pingo
[spoiler]
Pingo goes into the front section, waiting by the closed door (the wheelhouse directly above his head, standing at L-6). There are two life bouys (http://www.mikekellerltd.com/Merchant2/prod-images/Life_Ring.jpg), each on an opposite wall from the other.
There is a small porthole in the front door that leads out onto the fore deck. Damn! It's dark outside!
What are you doing next? Also, I need another Listen check, please.[/spoiler]
Richard
[spoiler]
No further sounds other than Richard's own and Pingo's, and the blasted rain... Richard makes his way through the upper cabin, towards the aft deck. The rear double doors hang ajar-- left that way presumably by the passing of Esteban. Richard quickly visually sweeped across the cabin's interior, and outside the windows as he passed. He noted nothing unusual... which of course just made him more paranoid.
Richard slipped through the open space between the double doors, and careful made his way between the rows of mules asses. Out here the rain was louder-- no bulkheads to muffle the drizzle. And again those damned frogs.
He found his way to K-19, just outside the protective tarp. Two forms lay on the deck at M-18. In the gloom he could barely make out that they were the brothers.
What are you doing next? Also, I need another Listen check, please.[/spoiler]
-
Richard tightens his grip on his rifle and moves closer, kneeling down so that he can check to make sure that both brothers are still alive.
[spoiler]
Listen: 25 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2173609/)
That's better. :D
[/spoiler]
-
Pingo paces still, periodically pausing to listen the noises outside, listening for an anomaly. His machete was in one hand, his spear still laid on his shoulder. Pingo would have licked his lips if he had a tongue, something was out there, he could sense it, but would it strike? When? What was that presence?
Pingo looked out the porthole, tensing up a bit, if there was combat to be found he would relish it. Pingo had long trained himself for combat should he encounter the cannibals again.
Listen Check: ... eww... Listen Check (1d20+2=9) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2173808/)
Spot Check: Yay, a good roll for once! Spot Check (1d20+4=19) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2173824/)
-
As soon as Harrison's eyes pop open the room begins to spin. The pressure from his bladder waking him from his drunken slumber. Trying not to move too much, lest he get the spins worse Harrison spots a light passing through the hatch in his ceiling. Shadows move past the moonlight. He reaches for his sidearm hanging from the post on his bed slowly as to no make a sound. Slowly Harrison rolls from his bed and uses it as cover.
Who the hell is sneaking into my goddam room. They'd better not spill my brandy...if there's any left
Hide (1d20+1-4=17) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2173929/)
Move Silently (1d20-3=8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2173879/)
-
Richard
[spoiler]
The rain falls down about his head and shoulders, slicked-off thanks to the poncho he wore, yet it came in sheets. Heavy droplets rain down his British pith helmet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pith_helmet).
Bending down he checks on the status of the brothers. In the darkness it was difficult to see but Esteban had a pulse. When Richard reached to check Paco's neck for a pulse, his fingers found themselves covered in a slick yet sticky substance. There was also something very wrong with the man's throat-- it had been sliced open. Paco was dead.
Perhaps it was the sound of the stretching canvas above and behind him, but Richard looked up in time to see the shadows of two figures, cloaked in the darkness. Their silhouettes darker than the sky itself.
Richard Roll Initiative![/spoiler]
Pingo
[spoiler]Pingo peers intently through the porthole in the doorway out onto the darkened foredeck. With all the rain, it's nearly impossible to see anything-- But you managed to...
Out there on the fore deck, near the hatch that leads directly through the ceiling of Pingo's best friend's cabin. The last Pingo had seen Bones, the man had drank too much, and passed out early. Drunk as a jungle tick. There seems to be at least two shadows out there... but there could be more.
What is Pingo's action?
[/spoiler]
Bones
[spoiler]
A shadowy figured drops through the opened hatch. Bones could hear the rain coming in as well. Neither were invited, and now the rain was going to ruin his dresser as well. Dammit.
The figure freezes, looking around the room, looking for anyone who may be sleeping in the bed. The rumpled bedsheets and blankets give the impression that there still is a body in the bed. The figure stands quietly, staring towards the bed... hesitantly as if the intruder is unsure of what he is seeing.
For the time being... the intruder seems unaware of you. (I'm going to assume that you are hiding at F6). There is a closed door to the lounge behind you. Between two and three of the group had slept there the previous night. If you are lucky, perhaps you can alert them to trouble... or you can try to sneak up behind the Intruder and shoot him in the back. [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Initiative: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2174047/)
[/spoiler]
-
Richard is quicker...
(Your move Nanshork! Two shadowy intruders, one in 18-T and one in 18-U. One seem to be drawing his arm back...
Richard is the only one in combat.
Bones & Pingo you may move as you normally would unless you too enter your own combat. Bones you still have that -4 for being Drunk. Then you would need to act in the same order of initiative that Richard is included in.
Sleepers, please give me another Listen Check, if you would? I expect noise-- :D)
-
Bones pistol feels cold compared to the humid heat when he points it at the late night visitor. He attempts to sneak up on the silent assailant and squeeze off two shots at point blank range at his guest.
Even if I miss him at least my shots will wake everyone the hell up...lazy sleepin bastards
Move Silently (1d20+1-3=9) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2174159/)
To Hit (1d20+3-4=11) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2174164/)
-
The shot goes off with a loud BOOM. The closed quarters of the cabin made the sound feel like it would split Bones' head in two. The bullet misses, sinking into the wooden flesh of Bone's favorite steamer truck. The one with the shrunken heads in it. Standing before you the dark intruder begins to make a gesture if movement--
Bones-- roll initiative!
-
[spoiler]*cough cough*Initiative (1d20+1-4=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2174177/) I got the black lung pop....[/spoiler]
-
Pingo hears the shot and spins, looking around him frantically. That shot had seemed to come from the vicinity for Bone's cabin. If his good buddy was in danger then Pingo wanted to help him, he owed his life to the man, he would die for him if need be. Pingo dashed off at full speed towards the cabins, weapons in hand.
-
*BAM--!* the sound exploded in Bones' cabin.
Pingo
[spoiler][You say full-speed. I am presuming that you mean run all out? (If the character spends the entire round to run all out, he or she can move up to four times his or her normal speed.) Running all out would get Pingo across the decking of the upper cabin, down the stairs, through the hall to Bones' cabin. The door near C6 is locked.
To your right, an open set of double doors (D8 & D9) leading to the lounge. Inside Pingo can see the sleeping forms of Russo the Italian with the giant guns, Eisen the German double-agent, and the Yankee Sgt. Kestrel. Eisen had been sleeping propped up in a chair. Bones' old friend Max was in there as well.[/spoiler]
(If you weren't awake before, you are now! EVERYONE roll Initiative! :sparta) Tell me where you are located on the map!)
-
Pingo is in fact running all out.
[spoiler]Sorry, I figured you would translate full speed as all out.[/spoiler]
-
Loder wakes with a start. Was that a gunshot he had heard? Then the sound of running feet on the upper deck broke him out of his reverie. Something was wrong!
[spoiler]Initiative: 8 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2174260/)[/spoiler]
-
Loder wakes with a start. Was that a gunshot he had heard? Then the sound of running feet on the upper deck broke him out of his reverie. Something was wrong!
[spoiler]Initiative: 8 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2174260/)[/spoiler]
"Holy smokes! What was that?!" The Kid called out to Dr. Loder. The two of them alone shared the cabin with the two bunk beds.
Apparently, soldiers liked to sleep on couches, or chairs, rather than REAL beds.
-
Strapping on his pistol, Loder looks sharply at the kid. "Trouble. Get under the bunk and stay there until I come get you."
-
Richard lifts his rifle and shoots at the figure drawing his arm back.
[spoiler]
Hit: 9
Damage: 9 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2174377/)
My gun makes more noise. :P
[/spoiler]
-
*Ka-BOOOOOM--!!!!*
Richard's gun rocks the jungle night, sounding like a peal of thunder having crashed down. Sadly, he wasn't expecting them to be above him-- his aim was a little off...
{alright... before I will continue I will await everyone's initiatives... unless you're AWOL. Then you'll just have to come in later}
-
At the first shot, Eisen sat fully up from the couch he'd collapsed into (at E7) - not an uncommon method of wary sleep for the German, rifle in his lap quickly raised to his shoulder - and peered around the room. As Richards gun goes off, Eisen stands at a combat ready crouch, aiming at a shadow he sees, though sways somewhat as his not-warm muscles attempt to move much more quickly than they should have, the bleary man taking a few seconds to come to terms with his surroundings.
[spoiler]Initiative: 3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2174617/)
Dude, natural 1. Fuuuuuuck! :fo[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Current location: G9
Initiative: 12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2174752/)
Listen: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2174753/)
Spot: 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2174754/)
[/spoiler]
"Shit! What was that!" John hisses as he jumps up from the couch, grabbing his SMG as he listens and scans the area for any hostile activity.
"Eisen, Russo, you awake? You see or hear anything?" he asks as he peers through the room, his Tommygun at the ready.
-
[spoiler]
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/drugged.png)
20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2174943/)the roller fudged my rolls a couple of times so I'm just going off the roll I actually saw lol if you find any other and find them more preferable then feel free to make Russo slower/faster[/spoiler]
Russo starts awake as the gun cracks like thunder, bleary eyed and drooling on the chessboard he sits up suddenly in the chair ((E9))
"Shit! what was that!" cried John
"whosamattawhatsit?" is Russo mumbled response, he looks around blinking "its just a storm" he says rubbing his eyes taking stock of Eisen's flitting "gees you two are jumpy this morning."
[spoiler]hmmmm what is the light like in this room? did we turn out the lamps before we went to sleep? since this is a steam driven boat that must mean we have gas or oil lanterns unless bones has a generator stashed away somewhere that would probably mean we extinguished them for fear of burning the boat down. and if its dark that means we see nothing right? or if its a candle's worth of light thats 5ft[/spoiler]
-
OOC:
[spoiler]Yeah, first action should probably to turn on the lights :D[/spoiler]
-
Two oil lamps burn within their glass encasing. One lantern is on the table in the Galley, the other is hanging from a hook in the ceiling in the lounge. They were turned down low, and at current, low on oil as well...
-
[spoiler]Is there enought light for us to be effective in combat, or do we need to turn the lights up some more? If so, where are they located and what kind of action is it to turn them up some more?[/spoiler]
-
ROUND #1
(http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3699/halconbattlemap1.jpg)
Initiative order:
18 Richard
18 Cannibals
13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2174940/)* Russo
12 Kestrel
12 Cannibals
8 Loder
7 Pingo
3 Eisen
3 Bones
0** Max
Richard-- Go! (But that Sharp's Big Fifty you wield is a single shot rifle, it is a Full-Round action to clear it(a half to clear the chamber, and another half to load another .50 cal shell. You still do get a free 5-foot action. Maybe if you hide amongst the asses they won't notice you. :P)
The rest of you...If you wish to post your action early, and allow it to "go off" in Sequence, go ahead. If you aren't immediately in combat, this shouldn't be a problem.
EDIT: Pingo Init Updated
* I found this other one, but I did see the one that was totally nerfed, as well. I can understand if this one hadn't come up. But I have to use it.
** I am awaiting an Initiative Roll from you.
Lighting is considered to be Shadows. Characters in shadows can make a hide check to conceal one's self. Character in shadows can see dimly. They also are considered to half one-half concealment.
The two lanterns in the lounge have a radius of 20'. You aren't sure how much life is left in them, but not more than a half hour's worth. Laterns cast bright light, anything within is not considered in Shadows.
You also have flashlights.
-
Quickly, Eisen realizes that, with the one of them down with them, the gun fire seemingly had not come from where he was. Eisen heads upstairs, replacing the rifle on his shoulder while taking out his as yet unused Walther P38, and a flashlight in the other hand. Ideally, he heads out to investigate the problem and pull anyone else downstairs to a more defendable position.
-
Loder stands by the door, his pistol shaking slightly in his hand.
[spoiler]Ready action: if anyone opens this door and Loder doesn't recognize them, he will take a 5 foot step back and shoot.[/spoiler]
-
Richard shoots at the same figure he did before.
[spoiler]
I have the quick reload feat. Full-round action reload my ass. :P
Hit: 23
Damage: 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2176340/)
[/spoiler]
-
Richard shoots at the same figure he did before.
[spoiler]
I have the quick reload feat. Full-round action reload my ass. :P
Hit: 23
Damage: 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2176340/)
[/spoiler]
Richard reloads in a blur, the empty shell casing falling to the deck with a nearly inaudibly tink.
*Ka-BOOOOOM--!!!!*
Richard rocked off a shot into one of the dark figures on the tarped-roof. Though he couldn't see it, Richard was pretty sure it must have been a kill shot. He had hit center mass. Cannibal_D is gone.
Richard heard it, rather than see it-- The he felt it as a blossom of burning pain-- an arrow struck him. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2176374/) Richard hoped that the tip of the arrow that was lodged inside his flesh hadn't been poisoned.
Richard bleeds.-4 to Richard's HP (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2176379/)
The one who had shot Richard gave out a bloodcurdling howl as loud as he could muster,"HOOOOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOoOOOOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
From the shoreline on either side of the river, under the droning rainfall a repeated sound could be heard.
*Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*
Drums, pounding a steady rhythm under the rain, but the frogs at least shut up. In fact, most of the animals in this part of the jungle had silenced themselves, almost as if they were pausing to see what would happen next.
*Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*
From all across the ship. the intruders picked up the first mans' scream. Whipping themselves into a blood lust, the cannibals screams wordlessly for your blood.
"HOOOOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOoOOOOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH--!!!"
And... It is Russo's action!
-
[spoiler]Since I'm not in combat yet I can still move freely I assume. If so Pingo would like to continue his movement to around the corner towards Bones. It's low light, can I see the cannibal at E-4? If so I would like to engage him. Initiative (1d20+2=7) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2176395/) [/spoiler]
[spoiler]Invisible Castle doesn't like me much[/spoiler]
-
Since I'm not in combat yet I can still move freely I assume. If so Pingo would like to continue his movement to around the corner towards Bones. It's low light, can I see the cannibal at E-4? If so I would like to engage him. Initiative (1d20+2=7) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2176395/)
Okay, I have inserted you into the initiative order. You will discover that Bones LOCKED his door before he passed out. Perhaps you can alert the men in the Lounge next to you.
Also, at this point I have initiated combat with all players. So you will be restricted to the standard movement that goes along with that.
-
John grabs his flashlight and draws his revolver and starts to head over to Bones' room.
[spoiler]Swing Tommygun over shoulder, draw flashlight (and switch it on) and revolver.[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/whathasbeenseen.png)[/spoiler]
Russo hears this noise quite clearly and it is obvious it is no storm
"What the Hell is going on!?" he draws his pistol looking scared in the half light suddenly wide awake and moving over to the doors ((D9))
"I..uh I think we should go wake up Heather and Anna, how about it John? Max? Eizen?" he pulls on his leather jacket and looks to the others clearly wanting one of them to go first
[spoiler]Ready action to blow away (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2176662/) anything or person that looks like it doesn't belong on the boat and is scarer than pingo[/spoiler]
-
There is the sound of breaking glass coming from the upper deck's main cabin. Max, Russo, Pingo, and Eisen here a loud screaming coming directly from Bones' cabin.
BONES
[spoiler]
The cannibal screaming at the top of his lungs "HOOOOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOoOOOOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"He attacks Bones (1d20+1=14: MISS, 1d8+1=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2177757/) thrusting the blade of his spear at him. Bones drunkenly dodges, but just barely. The cannibal moves back to D-5, right next to Bone's prized steamer truck, at first his sudden retreat was confusing, but Bones quickly learned why as a second crazed screaming cannibal drops down the hatch hole into the room, at E-4 in front of Bones.
"HOOOOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOoOOOOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!" The cannibals scream together-- a primitive shock & awe tactic.
[/spoiler]
LODER has posted his action.
PINGO
[spoiler]
Your attempt to open the door results in discovering that Bones locked the door to his cabin before bed. You can hear the blood-curdling screams of the cannibals from just on the other side of the door. There is a second entrance, in the Lounge and from the look of things Sgt. Kestrel would be trying that door next.
You have one half action remaining.
[/spoiler]
Eisen has posted his action... but will it get changed at this point?
Bones gets to go as well...
Max has not rolled Initiative and will not be taking an Action this round.
As soon as I get a final word from Eisen and of course Bones turn, I will create the cinematic Round Write-up, and we shall begin the second round.
(Oh, Bones-- please read the details for the Drunken Condition. I have posted these on the Rules board at the very bottom. Be aware of the balance thing)
-
"Yeah, Russo," the German seems to be smiling in the dim light, making it seem somewhat cruelly evil and dark, "let's go wake up your women. There's a party here, and we wouldn't want those beauties to miss it, would we?" Eisen says, in an uncharacteristically whimsical way as he ascends the stairs on guard.
[spoiler]I'll keep my action, and don't forget about John/Bowen![/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
don't forget about John/Bowen!
Don't worry-- I will be posting a detailed summary of this round to include everybody's actions-- in proper sequence. Also the Map will be updated for Round 2
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Can I use the half action remaining to try surpassing the doors ac with a strength roll, to break it down?[/spoiler]
-
Bones quickly turns and unlocks then opens the door behind him Well at least if they eat me I'm well marinated He runs through slamming the door shut as he passes, running forword ten feet (F-8) does an about face and trains his pistol on the door waiting...nay,daring for someone to come through...
Who do these cats think they are dropping in at this hour see? he slurrs
-
ROUND #1 SUMMARY
[spoiler]
18 Richard
Quickly reloading, Richard sends a .50 caliber slug into the direction of Cannibal_C, but misses. The boom of the buffalo rifle was enough to make the dead wake up.
18 Cannibals
Screaming bloody murder, this group of Cannibals are working the rear of the boat, near Richard. Richard managed to kill D during the Surprise Round. Cannibal_C releases and arrow. It sinks into Richard's flesh. Cannibal_E makes an appearance moving to S-18, giving him a vantage point over and behind Richard.
13 Russo
Bravely moves from one couch cushion to the next. (Then promptly becomes an NPC as Tarot goes to Greece on Holiday.)
12 Kestrel
The Sgt, hearing the commotion coming directly from Bones' cabin, moves to take position by the door to the cabin in the Lounge.
12 Cannibals
Screaming bloody murder, this group of cannibals seem to be working the front of the boat. Cannibal_A stabs at Bones unsuccessfully, then takes a 5-foot step into D-F... making room for Cannibal_B to drop down the hatch hole to take the spot recently vacated by A.
8 Loder
Loder waits at the closed door to the cabin that he and The Kid share. The Kid scrambles under the bottom bunk after climbing down from his top bunk.
7 Pingo
Pingo's plan to rush in a save Bones is foiled thanks to Bones' cabin's locked door! Damn your privacy Bones! ;)
[spoiler](YOU CAN TRY TO BREAK THE DOOR as a standard action OR you can ATTACK THE DOOR with your weapons. You don't get to attack with both hands though, as you no longer have a full-round action to burn....This would still count as Round 1. The rules governing BOTH of these actions can be found HERE (http://12tomidnight.com/d20modernsrd/SpecialAttacks.php) about halfway down the page: Attack an Object and Breaking Objects.)[/spoiler]
3 Eisen
Eisen rushes to the upper deck to see what the situation is. The door at J-9 has a shattered window, glass smashed inwards. A cannibal's arms reaches through the hole, trying to unlatch the lock from within! Over his head, Eisen hears the sound of foot steps above his head on the roof of the cabin, the sounds are moving to the front of the boat.
3 Bones
(Bones had moved away from the door during the surprise round in order to attempt a sneak attack upon Cannibal_A. In order to unlock the door that leads into the Lounge, Bones will have to move FROM F-4 BACK to F-6. Bones, since your are drunk... and using a full-round action to accomplish your task, I will need a balance check from you as well!)
Assuming that THIS is what takes place instead, Bones manages to unlock the door to the lounge. He is staggering at F-6... He now has 2 angry screaming cannibals in his cabin.
All the while everyone can hear the steady *Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*
[/spoiler]
ROUND #2 BEGINS...
(http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/6137/halconbattlemap2.jpg)
Map shows the locations of all parties after the events of Round #1. IT Additionally has more markers to better reflect the current level of character knowledge.
Initiative order:
18 Richard (Need a Spot check)
18 Cannibals
13 Russo
12 Kestrel (Need a Listen check)
12 Cannibals
8 Loder
7 Pingo (Need your action from LAST round, in addition to your actions THIS round.)
3 Eisen (Need a Spot check and Listen)
3 Bones (Need a Balance check from you buddy!)
0 Max (Please roll Initiative)
AND GO!
-
Loder stands by the door, listening to the sounds of combat around him, trying to figure out who is where and if anyone's coming do get him or the Kid.
[spoiler]
Listen = 11 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2178284/)
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Spot: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2178292/)
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Spot: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2178292/)
[/spoiler]
I have edited the Battlemap above to show the Cannibal you have just spotted. Cannibal G has been creeping along that side, using the wooden fence, and the mules for concealment. The pressure is building Richard... what will you do?
(I made a couple of other edits as well, simple fixes and the addition of the Cannibal whose arm Eisen sees.)
-
[spoiler]
Spot: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2178292/)
[/spoiler]
I have edited the Battlemap above to show the Cannibal you have just spotted. Cannibal G has been creeping along that side, using the wooden fence, and the mules for concealment. The pressure is building Richard... what will you do?
(I made a couple of other edits as well, simple fixes and the addition of the Cannibal whose arm Eisen sees.)
[spoiler]
I don't see G anywhere on the map. ???
[/spoiler
-
[spoiler]
Spot: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2178292/)
[/spoiler]
I have edited the Battlemap above to show the Cannibal you have just spotted. Cannibal G has been creeping along that side, using the wooden fence, and the mules for concealment. The pressure is building Richard... what will you do?
(I made a couple of other edits as well, simple fixes and the addition of the Cannibal whose arm Eisen sees.)
[spoiler]
I don't see G anywhere on the map. ???
[/spoiler
I'm sorry-- I posted the re-map second after updating the post. it is NOW the correct version of the map.
-
Richard takes a step back and quickly reloads, aims, and fires!
[spoiler]
New position: L20
Hit: 9
Damage: 9 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2178324/)
Damn. Well, for completeness sake I was aiming at E.
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Listen: 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2178348/)
Will post my actions after you've posted for the cannibals, Jace.[/spoiler]
-
FIRST GROUP OF CANNIBALS...
Cannibal_C launches an arrow down off of the tarped-roof. Richard hears the sound of it as it whizzes past him to sink into the wooden deck behind him.
Cannibal_E strikes Richard however with another arrow for 3 points of damage.
Cannibal_G comes around to take cover at O-18. He looses an arrow. It sinks into Richard's thigh for another 3 points of damage.
Richard now has 3 arrows protruding from him, and a total loss of -10 HPs for this combat.
Cannibal E, Cannibal C, Cannibal G (1d20+2=8, 1d20+2=16, 1d20+2=16) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2178425/)
Damage for 2 arrows. (1d6=3, 1d6=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2178432/)
Next!
-
[spoiler]Seeing as I have my hands full, can I kick in the door? If so, any kind of check needed? And at what DC?[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler] You can try to BREAK THE DOOR as a standard action, or you can ATTACK THE DOOR with your weapons. The rules governing BOTH of these actions can be found HERE (http://12tomidnight.com/d20modernsrd/SpecialAttacks.php) about halfway down the page: Attack an Object and Breaking Objects.)
But to be honest, you don't have to hold your Tommy gun with both hands if you aren't attacking. You can just open the door. It would take one action to do so.
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Problem is I'm not using my Tommygun, I'm using my revolver and a flashlight, due to the lack of light ;)
I think I'll wait 'til someone comes through the door, seeing as I just heard someone unlock it.
In mechanical terms: Ready action and as soon as I see a hostile I shoot him.
In other words, I'll probably be acting right after Russo.[/spoiler]
John decides to hold his position as he hears someone unlocking the door, ready to shoot any attackers.
[spoiler]Attack: 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2178565/)
Damage: 5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2178566/)
Well, that sucks...
By the way, both include the bonus for Point Blank Shot.[/spoiler]
Ignore this post :wall
-
[spoiler]Problem is I'm not using my Tommygun, I'm using my revolver and a flashlight, due to the lack of light ;)
I think I'll wait 'til someone comes through the door, seeing as I just heard someone unlock it.
In mechanical terms: Ready action and as soon as I see a hostile I shoot him.
In other words, I'll probably be acting right after Russo.[/spoiler]
John decides to hold his position as he hears someone unlocking the door, ready to shoot any attackers.
[spoiler]Attack: 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2178565/)
Damage: 5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2178566/)
Well, that sucks...
By the way, both include the bonus for Point Blank Shot.[/spoiler]
Okay. If Bones lives long enough to open the door for you, while he's drunk. Then your attack may go off if you have a LoS.
-
Crap, I got Bones and Russo mixed up :wall...
He might not survive that...
Okay, ignore that last post please.
Here's what I'll do instead:
[spoiler]Since I heard the door being unlocked, I'll open it myself.
Free action: Drop flashlight.
Move action: Open door.
Standard action: Attack closest cannibal, attack 20, damage 5 (see previous post).
If there's a miss chance due to shadowy illumination, go ahead and roll it, I'll take my chances. Maybe my flashlight landed in such a way as to shine some light into the room? :flutter[/spoiler]
John decides to take his chances and drops his flashlight as he hears the door being unlocked. In one swift motion he opens the door to Bones' room and fires a shot at one of Bones' assailants, hoping to hit his mark despite the lack of illumination.
-
John yanks open the door. Immediately on the other side, is a not-so-steady Bones. The opening door dragged the smell of a brewery off of him into the Lounge.
Kestrel fires a shot, PAST BONES, at a shadowy figure standing beneath the hatch hole in the ceiling of Bones' cabin. There is a pained grunt, that stops Cannibal B's screaming-- But the others voices continue unabated and frightening. John immediately sees a second shadow in the room, near the OTHER door.
This second group of Cannibals react:
Cannibal_A moves to D-6. He fumbles with the locked door for a moment, ignoring the battle in the room with him.
Cannibal_B moves forward into F-5. He stabs at Bones with a short spear and strikes! The cannibal laughs a ragged and frightening laugh as he does so, stabbing Bones with his speartip. (Bones takes -9 damage) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2179056/)
A third comes down through the hatch. Cannibal_F lands in the space vacated by B once he moved towards Bones.
Russo on his action, holds the grip of his pistol tight, watching the others... fear in his eyes.Suddenly he dashes from the lounge, past Pingo, past the stairs, and to the smaller cabin where the Doctor and the Kid were last seen (stopping at C-13). He bangs on the door in a frantic motion, and opens it. "It's me!" He says spotting Dr, Loder holding a pistol. "The cannibals are attacking! They're coming down through Bones' cabin! Is the Kid safe?! What are we going to do!? I don't think I can get to either of 'the Girls'!"
-
Loder holds his fire as he sees Russo in the doorway. "Kid's safe in here, get in and maybe we can formulate some sort of plan. How many cannibals did you see, and where were they?"
After letting Russo into the room, Loder re-locks the door.
-
Flicking his flashlight on as he comes up the stairs, gun ahead of him and his flashlight arm crossing over so the beam aims with the gun, Eisen checks his surroundings, firing on the first target he can see.
[spoiler]
To-Hit: 15
Damage: 5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2179461/)
Spot: 11
Listen: 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2179456/)[/spoiler]
-
Pingo attempts to break down the door.
[spoiler]First attempt: Strength Check (1d20+3=7) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2179633/)
Second round Attempt: Strength Check, seriously, (1d20+3=13) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2179639/)
Wow invisible castle is a piece of shit towards me. Haven't rolled good once. Is there another site I can legally use?
Anyways, on either attempt, if I happen to break the door I would then like to take my free five foot step into the door way and attack the adjacent cannibal A who is now at D-6?
That took a while to get right, I've never used a character who dual wielded. (1d20+5=6, 1d20+4=20) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2179646/)
Well if I manage to strike with both:
Spear damage:Spear (1d8+4+3=15) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2179647/)
Machete damage:Machete (1d6+3=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2179649/)
Wow, rolled a one on my machete. Once again Invisible Castle really hates me.
And what sucks is I did all that typing and and what if's and I doubt either attempt to break down the door actually broke it.[/spoiler]
-
Alrighty-- We're waiting on Bones' actions and we'll wrap up this round with a summary.
Pingo, don't overly-fret-- We ALL use these same suck-ass dice. Sometimes they DO roll good. Sometimes... Besides, you may do better than you think depending on how strong the door is. The DC is based on it's durability.
Max, roll initiative.
-
Bones drunken stupor make his hands hard to move and
balance check (1d20+1=13) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2181855/)
(action point yo)
[spoiler]Action Point (1d6=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2181856/)
HELL YEAH![/spoiler]
-
ROUND #2 SUMMARY
[spoiler]
18 Richard
Richard takes a step back (L-20), quickly reloads, aims, and fires at Cannibal_E!
*Ka-BOOOOOM--!!!!*
Richard's gun echoes through the jungle night, again sounding like thunder. *Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum* the drums continue their steady beat. On each shore the cannibal percussionists, hidden by the veil of blackest night, increase the tempo, building towards something. *Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*
18 Cannibals
Screaming their frenzied cry,"HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Cannibal_C launches an arrow down from off of the tarped-roof. Richard hears the sound of it as it whizzes past him to sink into the wooden deck behind him with a wooden *THUNK!*
Cannibal_E releases and strikes Richard with another arrow for 3 points of damage.
Cannibal_G comes around to take cover at O-18. He looses an arrow from around the roof support post. It sinks into Richard's thigh for another 3 points of damage.
Richard now has 3 arrows protruding from him, and a total loss of -10 HPs for this combat.
Cannibal E, Cannibal C, Cannibal G
(1d20+2=8, 1d20+2=16, 1d20+2=16)
Damage for 2 arrows. (1d6=3, 1d6=3)
13 Russo
Russo on his action, holds the grip of his pistol tight, watching the others... fear in his eyes. Suddenly he dashes from the lounge, past Pingo, past the stairs, and to the smaller cabin where the Doctor and the Kid were last seen (stopping at C-13). He bangs on the door in a frantic motion, and opens it. "It's me!" He says spotting Dr, Loder holding a pistol. "The cannibals are attacking! They're coming down through Bones' cabin! Is the Kid safe?! What are we going to do!? I don't think I can get to either of 'the Girls'!"
12 Kestrel
John decides to take his chances and drops his flashlight as he hears the door being unlocked.
In one swift motion he opens the door to Bones' room and fires a shot at one of Bones' assailants, hoping to hit his mark despite the lack of illumination.
John yanks open the door. Immediately on the other side, is a not-so-steady Bones. The opening door dragged the smell of a brewery off of him into the Lounge. Cannibals in the room were screaming their frenzied cry,"HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Kestrel fires a shot, PAST BONES, at a shadowy figure standing beneath the hatch hole in the ceiling of Bones' cabin. There is a pained grunt, that stops Cannibal B's screaming-- But the others voices continue unabated and frightening. John immediately sees a second shadow in the room, near the OTHER door.
12 Cannibals
This second group of Cannibals react; in the midst of their screaming frenzy,"HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Cannibal_A moves to D-6. He fumbles with the locked door for a moment, ignoring the battle in the room with him.
Cannibal_B moves forward into F-5. He stabs at Bones with a short spear and strikes! The cannibal laughs a ragged and frightening laugh as he does so, stabbing Bones with his speartip. (Bones takes -9 damage)
A third comes down through the hatch: Cannibal_F lands in the space vacated by B.
8 Loder
Loder holds his fire as he sees Russo in the doorway. "Kid's safe in here, get in and maybe we can formulate some sort of plan. How many cannibals did you see, and where were they?"
After letting Russo into the room, Loder re-locks the door.
7 Pingo
First Round attempt: Pingo attempts to break down the door. Strength Check (1d20+3=7) The door, old and badly mended after a notorious Bones-Binge had broken it, rocks in it's frame, but holds.
Second Round Attempt: Pingo attempts to break down the door. Strength Check (1d20+3=13)
The door frame bursts, and splitters carry into the door with the momentum of the old wooden door as it whips open with a second well-placed shoulder by Pingo. The mute takes a five foot step into the doorway, brandishing his short spear in his right fist and wielding has machete in his left.
Blood is on his mind. Payback for the death of his village. Payback for eating his own tongue while he watched. Payback for spitting his daughter and cooking her like a pig. Payback for roasting his wife alive on a stake.
Pingo for one knew the perils of being taken alive by these savages.
3 Eisen
Flicking his flashlight on as he comes up the stairs, gun ahead of him and his flashlight arm crossing over so the beam aims with the gun, Eisen checks his surroundings, firing on the first target he can see.
[I'm going to interpret this in your favor. You did a Spot and Listen check, and you would have heard the sound of the 3rd group of cannibals as they were coming down through the wheelhouse. 'firing on the first target he can see.' leads me to believe that you would have readied and action to shoot at whatever cannibal came down from the roof to meet you.]
3 Bones
Bones staggers quickly, turns and practically topples past Sergeant Kestrel who had opened the door Bones had unlocked the previous round.
Well at least if they eat me I'm well marinated--!
Once through the door, he slams the door shut as he passes, then topples into the chair at (F-8), does an about face and trains his pistol on the door waiting...nay, daring for someone to come through...
"Who do these cats think they are dropping in at this hour, see?" Bones slurs from his chair.
1 Cannibals
A THIRD group of Cannibals react; Having broken through the wheelhouse door during the last round.
Cannibal_K comes down the left-hand stairs (to L-8) while Cannibal_I comes down the right-hand stairs (to M-9). Spotting Eisen, they begin to wail, "HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Eisen's Attack goes off-- *BLAM* taking a chunk out of Cannibal_I even as he is coming down the stairs. Cannibal_I closes the distance and stabs at Eisen with his spear, but misses as Eisen easily side-steps the thrust. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2182510/)
Cannibal_H opens the cabin's side-door allowing Cannibal_J top move in to L-9. Cannibal_J screams a blood-curdling howl as he stabs Eisen in the torso with his spear! (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2182512/) (Eisen is hurt for 9 points! That is MAX DAMAGE!) The Cannibal laughs a rough and ragged cackle at the sight of blood. His smile reveals that his teeth have been filed to points in his mouth.
All the while everyone can hear the steady *Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*[/spoiler]
ROUND #3 BEGINS...
(http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/594/halconbattlemap3.jpg)
Map shows the locations of all parties after the events of Round #2.
Initiative order:
18 Richard
18 Cannibals
13 Russo
12 Kestrel
12 Cannibals
8 Loder
7 Pingo
3 Eisen
3 Bones
1 Cannibals
0 Max (Please roll Initiative)
AND GO!
-
Richard yells out, "Would one of you bloody yanks stop playing with yourselves and do something!" He then reloads and shoot at E again.
[spoiler]
Hit: 13
Damage: 17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2182536/)
[/spoiler]
-
Richard yells out, "Would one of you bloody yanks stop playing with yourselves and do something!" He then reloads and shoot at E again.
[spoiler]
Hit: 13
Damage: 17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2182536/)
[/spoiler]
Would you like to use an ACTION POINT to adjust your To Hit roll?
-
[spoiler]
I always forget about those.
Action point: 3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2182815/)
[/spoiler]
-
Loder quickly explains his idea to Russo and the Kid. "You hear those drums? They're all around us! We have to get the boat out of here or more of them will keep coming! Follow me!"
Loder rushes out into the hall, shouts up the stairs to where he heard Eisen's cry for help. "Eisen, down here, we can bottleneck them in the corridoor!"
Then he heads left and grabs an armload of firewood. (F-15)
-
Eisen, finding himself surprised by the large group he has in front of him, and taken aback by the spear he found easily lodged into him, fires into the cackling face of his foe. Maneuvering away from the second thrust, slightly stumbling back, he nearly falls back down the stairs, as he tries to solidify his plan. "Need some help up here! Fast! Russo? What're you and the doctor doing?" he shouts from his stairs-post.
[spoiler]
HP: 26
Shots loaded: 6*
Standard Action: *Fires on Cannibal_J. To-hit: 9, Damage: 2
Action Point: 5, makes to-hit 14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2182915/)
Move Action: Moves to E-10.
Also, i assume their closing distance allows for no AoO?[/spoiler]
-
Eisen: [spoiler]If they are blue on the map, they are windows. There is onlt one side door, and that is the one that one Cannibal just came through, other than that there is the double doors that separate you from Richard on the aft deck. There is also a door towards the front of the craft.[/spoiler]
Russo follows Dr. Loder out of the cabin, and follows him to assist in getting the boat running.
"I think that you may be right, Doc. Ohhh... if only this boat were my old Vickers. We'd be able to fly out of here." Russo offers miserably. He keep looking back over his shoulder as he watches the kid and the Doc grab wood for the boiler's furnace. They could get the engine started from down here, but they would need to get to the wheelhouse to steer them out of here and to safety.
"I'll stand here and keep watch." Russo says. (Russo to ready an action in the event that a cannibal comes within his LoS, he will shoot at him.)
-
As the door flies open Pingo steps in, blood in his eyes. Immediately he recognizes a figure that isn't one of his friends.
Cannibals. What a bunch of assholes. The only thing on Pingo's mind now is death. Death to all of them. Even if he died cutting down the last one.
[spoiler]Pingo slashes and stabs at the adjacent cannibal at D-5. Spear/Machete (1d20+7=24, 1d20+6=9) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2183110/)
Ha ha, damn, I know that spear hit for sure.
Spear and Machete damage, respectively. (1d8+7=8, 1d6+3=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2183111/)
And then I rolled a one for damage on my spear, thank God Pingo's a badass or else I wouldn't have even scratched the fellow.
I fucking hate you Invisible Castle, I fucking hate you. [/spoiler]
-
"You okay, Bones?" John asks as he picks up his flashlight.
"Here, take this." John says as he hands Bones his flashlight before holstering his revolver and taking his Tommygun of his back to use himself.
[spoiler]Listen check to see if I can hear any cries for help and/or backup or gunshots or any other signs of combat etc.: 9 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2184403/)
Crap, nevermind... :banghead[/spoiler]
Edited for clarity, and because I forgot Bones already was holding a gun of his own.
-
The Cannibals in Bones Cabin...
Cannibal_A engages Pingo-- he stabs towards Pingo with a scream. Pingo deftly dodges it.
Cannibal_B moves to F-6 and OPENS THE DOOR to the lounge.
Cannibal_F hops onto Bones' already disheveled bed dripping water all over it, at E-6. He stabs through the open door at the now exposed Sgt. Kestrel with his handcrafted short spear... but misses!!
Two cannibals attacks: (1d20+2=7, 1d8+1=7) (1d20+2=12, 1d8+1=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2184967/)
-
Awaiting on Bones to post then the final group of Cannibals before we can move on to the next round...
-
Realizing that he's probobly too drunk to shoot past the Sgt., Bones makes an about face and bee-lines towords the engine room to get his boat in motion.
Bones looks at the stairs God why did they have to put so many of these in this boat
Balance (1d20-3=14) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2185822/)
I am so glad for hand rails right now
-
[spoiler]
Realizing that he's probably too drunk to shoot past the Sgt., Bones makes an about face and bee-lines towards the engine room to get his boat in motion.
Bones looks at the stairs God why did they have to put so many of these in this boat
Balance (1d20-3=14) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2185822/)
I am so glad for hand rails right now
Hey buddy-- I know PbP takes a little getting used to, but please try to remember to give battlemap grid placement at the end of your posts. I'm GUESSING that you are at C-11 at the end of your turn. Standing just outside the Galley door, and 5-feet past the stairs that leads up to the upper decks.
Also, in Bowen/Kestrel's post-- he gave you a flashlight and his revolver. You already had YOUR revolver in hand as well. Should it be assumed that you took them with you?
Anyway, I hope that this is fun for you. Tommy seems to be enjoying Pingo. I'm digging through my gaming folders and binders to see if I can locate your original Bones sheet(s)-- I'll myth weaver them for you. [/spoiler]
-
Jace:
[spoiler]Please note my edit earlier today. I forgot about Bones already having a handgun of his own, so I edited my post so that John only gives Bones the flashlight to light the way.
Speaking of which, what is the mechanical impact of the current lighting condition both below and above deck? Might affect my future actions somewhat :)[/spoiler]
-
Last Group of Cannibals...
Cannibal_K moves to L-9
Cannibal_J moves to L-10
Cannibal_I moves onto the stairs, so he's split between levels. He is on higher ground, so gets a+1 to his melee attack. Of course, screaming bloody-murder he goes after Eisen with his short spear-- with his height advantage, it is close-- Eisen feels the breeze of the spear point slice past his left cheek. But the cannibal MISSED! [spoiler]Attacks Eisen! (1d20+2+1=17, 1d8+1=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2185940/)[/spoiler]
Cannibal_H having opened the door last round, continues along the the outside of the upper cabins, through the darkness and rain to J-15
-
Fuck! I forgot the actions of Cannibals C, E, and G!
So here goes.
Cannibal_C shoots and arrow. misses.
Cannibal_E shoots and arrow. misses.
Cannibal_G shoots and arrow. misses.
Three Cannibals attack Richard as he stoically stands his ground... (1d20+2=13, 1d6=3, 1d20+2=11, 1d6=6, 1d20+2=11, 1d6=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2185991/)
Lucky Bastard!
-
ROUND #3 SUMMARY
[spoiler]
18 Richard
Richard yells out, "Would one of you bloody yanks stop playing with yourselves and do something!" He then reloads and shoot at E again.
*Ka-BOOOOOM--!!!!* The smell of gunpowder hangs in the air-- Richard missed another shot, and the Cannibals were close to surrounding him.
...*Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*... the drums continue from the jungle on either side of the river. Ceaseless in their rhythm.
[spoiler]Nanshork/Richard-- things are not looking good for you, of course that could all change with the right dice rolls. I still advise a defensive approach... and if the shit REALLY hits the fan... L and M-16 contain the REAR hatches that lead down next to the Engine compartment-- to E-16. There are Mules standing around it, tethered to the wooden rail, but I'm sure you can ask them nicely to move if you really need to...[/spoiler]
18 Cannibals
Screaming their frenzied cry,"HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Cannibal_C fires down from the canvas roof, his arrow sinks into the wooden decking at Richard's booted feet.
Cannibal_E's arrow joins the other in the deck below.
Cannibal_G's arrow soars past Richard to vanish in the darkness and rain as he peeks out from behind his cover.
13 Russo
Russo follows Dr. Loder out of the cabin, and follows him to assist in getting the boat running.
"I think that you may be right, Doc. Ohhh... if only this boat were my old Vickers. We'd be able to fly out of here." Russo offers miserably. He keep looking back over his shoulder as he watches the kid and the Doc grab wood for the boiler's furnace. They could get the engine started from down here, but they would need to get to the wheelhouse to steer them out of here and to safety.
"I'll stand here and keep watch." Russo says. (Russo to ready an action in the event that a cannibal comes within his LoS, he will shoot at him.)
12 Kestrel
"You okay, Bones?" John asks as he picks up his flashlight.
"Here, take this." John says as he hands Bones his flashlight before holstering his revolver and taking his Tommygun of his back to use himself.
[Bowen: This is technically 3 actions. Next Round you can draw your Tommy gun from your back as an action.]
12 Cannibals
This second group of Cannibals react; in the midst of their screaming frenzy,"HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Cannibal_A engages Pingo-- he stabs towards Pingo with a scream. Pingo deftly dodges it.
Cannibal_B moves to F-6 and OPENS THE DOOR to the lounge.
Cannibal_F hops onto Bones' already disheveled bed dripping water all over it, at E-6. He stabs through the open door at the now exposed Sgt. Kestrel with his handcrafted short spear... but misses!!
8 Loder
Loder quickly explains his idea to Russo and the Kid. "You hear those drums? They're all around us! We have to get the boat out of here or more of them will keep coming! Follow me!"
Loder rushes out into the hall, shouts up the stairs to where he heard Eisen's cry for help. "Eisen, down here, we can bottleneck them in the corridoor!"
Then he heads left and grabs an armload of firewood. (F-15)
7 Pingo
As the door flies open Pingo steps in, blood in his eyes. Immediately he recognizes a figure that isn't one of his friends.
Cannibals. What a bunch of assholes. The only thing on Pingo's mind now is death. Death to all of them. Even if he died cutting down the last one.
He strikes with his combination Short spear and his machete. He spear stabbed Cannibal_A, drawing 9 points of damage. Blood flows from Cannibal as the savage screams in fury!!!
3 Eisen
Eisen, finding himself surprised by the large group he has in front of him, and taken aback by the spear he found easily lodged into him, fires into the cackling face of his foe. Maneuvering away from the second thrust, slightly stumbling back, he nearly falls back down the stairs, as he tries to solidify his plan. Two of the Cannibals that were right next to him when he fired the shot took the opportunity to stab at him with their short spears, but missed as Eisen half-slides down the stairwell into the hallway below. (See your altered position on the map, details below as to why)
"Need some help up here! Fast! Russo? What're you and the doctor doing?" he shouts from his stairs-post in his German accent.
[spoiler]
HP: 26
Shots loaded: 6*
Standard Action: *Fires on Cannibal_J. To-hit: 9, Damage: 2
Action Point: 5, makes to-hit 14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2182915/)
Move Action: Moves to E-10.
Also, I assume their closing distance allows for no AoO*?
[Your first action is to fire, and you second action is to move. *You were in a threatened square when you fired you gun, and so Cannibals J & I get AoO upon your person. However, THEY BOTH MISSED. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2186000/)
I know that the map can be a bit tricky-- something I will try to remedy fro clarity for future maps-- The stairs go down, from Right to Left. The stairs enter the hallway, not the Lounge. FYI. :). I have made adjustments to your final location in response.]
[/spoiler]
3 Bones
Realizing that he's probably too drunk to shoot past the Sgt., Bones makes an about face and bee-lines towards the engine room to get his boat in motion.
Bones looks at the stairs God why did they have to put so many of these in this boat
Balance (1d20-3=14) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2185822/)
I am so glad for hand rails right now
[I'm GUESSING that you are at C-11 at the end of your turn. Standing just outside the Galley door, and 5-feet past the stairs that leads up to the upper decks.]
1 Cannibals
The third group of Cannibals react; "HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Last Group of Cannibals...
Cannibal_K moves to L-9
Cannibal_J moves to L-10
Cannibal_I moves onto the stairs, so he's split between levels. He is on higher ground, so gets a+1 to his melee attack. Of course, screaming bloody-murder he goes after Eisen with his short spear-- with his height advantage, it is close-- Eisen feels the breeze of the spear point slice past his left cheek. But the cannibal MISSED! [spoiler]Attacks Eisen! (1d20+2+1=17, 1d8+1=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2185940/)[/spoiler]
Cannibal_H having opened the door last round, continues along the the outside of the upper cabins, through the darkness and rain to J-15
All the while everyone can hear the steady ...*Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*...
Just under THAT sound is a steady and heavy SNORING coming from a STILL SLEEPING Max who is passed out on the couch behind John. !!! ZZZzzZZZZZzzzzZZZZZzzzZZZZzzzz....[/spoiler]
ROUND #4 BEGINS...
(http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/5775/halconbattlemap4.jpg)
Map shows the locations of all parties after the events of Round #3.
Initiative order:
18 Richard
18 Cannibals
13 Russo
12 Kestrel
12 Cannibals
8 Loder
7 Pingo
3 Eisen
3 Bones
1 Cannibals
0 Max (Please roll Initiative)
AND GO!
-
"We need to clear these three away so we can get to Richard! Damn Brits, always have to stand their ground instead of tactically withdraw..." Firing up the stairs at his foe, he twists himself around the corner still on guard to find himself pointing a gun at Bones. Certain the gunshot got his attention, Eisen tries to communicate with handsigns to trap them there with fire from both sides.
[spoiler]All's fine, actually like this better, just note my first level in gunslinger allows me to make attacks in threatened squares without provoking AoO.
HP: 26
Shots left after this action: 5
Standard Action: Fires at Cannibal_I, To-Hit: 11, Damage: 5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2186059/)
Action Point for To-Hit: 5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2186060/), Becomes 16 to-hit
Takes a Five-Foot-Step to C-9, Readies an action to fire on any Cannibal that descends to C-10 (or otherwise becomes visible).[/spoiler]
-
Loder heads into the boiler room. Dropping the wood on the floor, he tells the Kid. "Just start feeding the wood into the furnace and stay here! I'm gonna get the others!"
Then he rushes up to C-12 and yells past Bones and Eisen, hoping the others can hear him. "HEY! Everyone get back to the furnace room, we can hold them off in this hallway!"
-
Richard feels them closing in on him and it is starting to fray his nerves. He shoots again, wondering how long he can keep this up.
[spoiler]
Hit: 10
Damage: 12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2187395/)
[/spoiler]
-
The first group of Cannibals makes their move:
Cannibal E, C, and G each fire upon Richard with arrows, as Richard deftly dodges them! (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2188239/)
Next up, RUSSO holds his action.
-
Pingo takes a swing at the Cannibal at D-4 again.
[spoiler]Okay, I got out of bed last night to post this and rolled and everything, and you can see my last rolls and what night they were on but my browser awesomely crashed and I said fuck it and went back to bed, quite angry cause they were the only good rolls I've gotten so far. I have the link that shows my two rolls TO HIT, and TO SLAY, but if you say roll again, I'll roll again. Your call, really, your the GM. But I do have Invisible Castle Internetual proof lol
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/player/ragincajun2288/[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Pingo takes a swing at the Cannibal at D-4 again.
Okay, I got out of bed last night to post this and rolled and everything, and you can see my last rolls and what night they were on but my browser awesomely crashed and I said fuck it and went back to bed, quite angry cause they were the only good rolls I've gotten so far. I have the link that shows my two rolls TO HIT, and TO SLAY, but if you say roll again, I'll roll again. Your call, really, your the GM. But I do have Invisible Castle Internetual proof lol
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/player/ragincajun2288/
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2186776/
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2186780/
No worries dude. Invisible Castle saves all-- That is why we sign into that bastard! You're all good.
[/spoiler]
-
As Pingo is fighting with one of the cannibals, John has his own problems to worry about.
Without blinking he unleashes a hail of lead into the room, targeting two of the cannibals.
[spoiler]Autofire on Cannibals B & F (I'm assuming I can still target F, although he'll probably have a cover bonus to his Ref save, if not, let me know and I'll just Burst Fire on B).
I don't provoke any AoO's due to the Gunslinger's Close Combat Shot ability.
Attack: 28 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2188824/)
Damage: 12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2188825/)
After that, my move action depends on the result of this attack:
Option 1: I manage to drop both cannibals: I move into the room and use Bones' bed as cover so I can provide Pingo with cover fire next round.
Option 2: I fail to drop both cannibals: I scream like a madman to draw them away from Pingo (free action) and move to C9 and use part of the door for some cover (Tumble check to avoid AoO for leaving threatened square: 22 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2188829/)
I figured I'd post these two option already to keep things rolling :)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Refex Saves in response to Kestrels attack. Bullets tear into the room as the Sgt's Tommy gun lights the cabin up with a series of staccato flashes fueled by burning lead-- Both cannibals are hit (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2189032/), they stagger, almost falling, but not quite yet-- there is still killing to be done. Kestrel can see it in their eyes... but the wounds are bad. Kestrel felt confident that they could not survive the next barrage.[/spoiler]
INIT: 12
The second group of Cannibals makes their move:
Cannibal_A (D-5) attacks Pingo with a snarl and a spear. The cannibal manages to slash Pingo acros the arm, a sticky trickle of blood begins to flow down Pingo's arms. (-2 HP)
Cannibal_B (F-6) stabs at the sergeant with his short spear from the doorway-- miss
Cannibal_F (F-6) Assaults the sergeant from his increasingly damp position on the bed, stabbing around the corner with his spear-- miss
[spoiler]
A, B, and F's attacks (1d20+2=22, 1d6=2 CRITICAL THREAT (FAILS),1d20+2=15, 1d6=1,1d20+2=8, 1d6=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2189051/)
Critical threat confirmation. (1d20+2=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2189059/) Boo for me.[/spoiler]
Harrison Bones is NEXT... then the final group of Cannibals.
-
[spoiler] Don't forget me moving to C9 and using cover ;)
I'm willing to stay in my current position though if that's okay with you. I seem to have gotten their attention, and that way I'll be closer to Pingo...
EDIT: Edited previous post to fix url-tags.[/spoiler]
-
Bones forfeits his action.
The last group of Cannibals moves...
Cannibal_K moves over to K-10 trying to get a better angle. He has no targets.
Cannibal_J has no targets.
Cannibal_I stabs at Eisen from his position behind cover above him on the stairs... a MISS. stabby at eisen from higher ground. (1d20+2=11, 1d8+1=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2191593/)
Cannibal_H moves along the side of the upper cabin (to J-18), rain pelting him. A shadow moving amongst the dark, but not hiding-- taking cover behind the support pole to the tarped roof-- he fires an arrow at Richard and misses. H attacks Richard (1d20+2=7, 1d6+1=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2191605/)
[This wraps up the actions of this round-- I need to write up the summary, then we'll start the next round. The summary will be written in about 2 hours, as I need to ride along to my roomies work, so I can take the car to get to MY work later tonight. Again, I am VERY sorry for the delays...]
-
ROUND #4 SUMMARY
[spoiler]
18 Richard
Richard feels them closing in on him and it is starting to fray his nerves. He shoots again, wondering how long he can keep this up. *Ka-BOOOOOM--!!!!*his shot echoes through the jungle once again, but once again another unfortunate miss--
...*Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*... the drums continue from the jungle on either side of the river. They must be hungry!
18 Cannibals
Screaming their frenzied cry,"HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
The first group of Cannibals makes their move:
Cannibal_C looses an arrow, but misses as it whips past Richard's head and into the water behind the boat.
Cannibal_E mortally wounded from Richard's previous shot... topples from the roof, and falls to the deck next to Richard's feet. Dead. (Sorry, this guy actually died before this round-- I fucked up a bit-- sorry!)
Cannibal_G peeks out again from his cover, and fires a shot at Richard. The arrow whizzes past the stoic Brit with a whistle to vanish in the darkness and rain.
13 Russo
Holding action and awaiting a target.
12 Kestrel
12 Cannibals
This second group of Cannibals react; in the midst of their screaming frenzy,"HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Cannibal_A (D-5) attacks Pingo with a snarl and a spear. The cannibal manages to slash Pingo across the arm, a sticky trickle of blood begins to flow down Pingo's arms. (-2 HP)
Cannibal_B (F-6) stabs at the sergeant with his short spear from the doorway-- miss
Cannibal_F (F-6) Assaults the sergeant from his increasingly damp position on the bed, stabbing around the corner with his spear-- that results in a miss.
8 Loder
Loder heads into the boiler room. Dropping the wood on the floor, he tells the Kid. "Just start feeding the wood into the furnace and stay here! I'm gonna get the others!"
"Don't worry Doctor Loder, I've done this before!!" the Kid calls over his shoulder, as he starts tossing cut wood into the boiler's still cold furnace. They'd be able to light it soon enough...
Then he rushes up to C-12 and yells past Bones and Eisen, hoping the others can hear him. "HEY! Everyone get back to the furnace room, we can hold them off in this hallway!"
7 Pingo
Pingo takes a swing at the Cannibal at D-4 again-- his short spear stabs him in the chest as his machete cuts Cannibal_A's arm clean off-- blood errupts from the stump, spraying across the cabin as the Cannibal whirls and falls to the ground-- dead.
3 Eisen
"We need to clear these three away so we can get to Richard! Damn Brits, always have to stand their ground instead of tactically withdraw..." Firing up the stairs at his foe, he twists himself around the corner still on guard to find himself pointing a gun at Bones. Certain the gunshot got his attention, Eisen tries to communicate with handsigns to trap them there with fire from both sides.
3 Bones
Staggers in place-- he's really really drunk. He stops to vomit out of a port hole. "BlaaaAAAAAAAARGH" *splatter* "Why, of WHY did was have to get attacked... when I'm soOOooo drunk! It isn't fair!" He slurs to Eisen.
1 Cannibals
["HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Last Group of Cannibals...
Cannibal_K moves over to M-10 to get a better angle. He still has no target (he cannot see Richard to the south due to the rear double doors.
Cannibal_J has no target
Cannibal_I stabs at Eisen from his position above him, but around the cover of the corner, on the stairs... a MISS.
Cannibal_H moves along the side of the upper cabin (to J-18), rain pelting him. A shadow moving amongst the dark, but not hiding-- taking cover behind the support pole to the tarped roof-- he fires an arrow at Richard and misses. H attacks Richard
Still the steady ...*Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*... echoes through the night.
Just under THAT sound is a steady and heavy SNORING continues to come from Max who is passed out on the curved couch. ZZZzzZZZZZzzzzZZZZZzzzZZZZzzzz....[/spoiler]
ROUND #5 BEGINS...
(http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/4814/halconbattlemap5.jpg)
Map shows the locations of all parties after the events of Round #4.
Initiative order:
18 Richard
18 Cannibals
13 Russo
12 Kestrel
12 Cannibals
8 Loder
7 Pingo
3 Eisen
3 Bones
1 Cannibals
AND GO!
-
Richard lets out a dry chuckle and the cannibal falls to his feet. The situation seems less grim now, and he feels infused with renewed vigor. He turns and lets loose another bullet, this one at Cannibal H.
[spoiler]
Hit: 25
Damage: 17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2191845/)
Critical Confirmation roll: 6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2191847/)
[/spoiler]
-
John holds his position and fires another burst of lead at the two cannibals in Bones' room.
[spoiler]Autofire on the 2 cannibals again.
Attack: 20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2191893/)
Damage: 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2191894/)[/spoiler]
-
A splintered chunk of wooden shrapnel explodes from the side of the sturdy wooden pole, Cannibal_H 's head is reduced to a fine red mist, and a gout of blood fountains from the cannibals throat, his tongue wobbling from a dangling shattered jaw. Immediately the body crumpled to the deck like a marionette with its strings suddenly cut.
Cannibal_C fires another arrow (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2191938/) down upon the Great White Hunter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_hunter), Richard-- screaming his ungodly howl of anger and hunger when Richard deftly sidesteps the shot, whirling his buffalo cannon about.
Cannibal_G peeks around the corner to fire a shot from his bow-- his shot unfortunate misses its intended target (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2191946/)
-
Eisen continues to fire on the closest foe, thinking about whether there was a way to speed things up a bit so he could get to Richard. This boat needed to be moving faster away, in case of reinforcements. If the enemy knows where you are, don't be there; he and Russo needed to make it to the wheel-room, set-up defense and get gone. As he fired, Eisen hoped to find a faster path to clearing these few left out of his way...
[spoiler]
Standard Action: Fire on cannibal I. To-hit: 22, Damage: 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2192315/)
Free: Five foot step back one to C-8.
Free: Motions to Bones and Loder to move back.[/spoiler]
-
Seeing the slavering cannibal descend the steps, Loder grabs Bones, reaches over him with his gun and shouts, "GET DOWN!" before firing a shot at the primitive and winging him on the shoulder.
[spoiler]Attack = 21 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2192404/)
Damage = 2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2192407/)[/spoiler]
-
Pingo roars as his last opponent fell beneath his blades, the blood spray whipping him into a frenzy. His head snatches to the right as he lays eyes on his next victim.
[spoiler] Pingo then takes his free five step and attacks with both weapons the cannibal at E-6, which is Cannibal F. TO HIT! (1d20+6=11, 1d20+7=17) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2192572/)
Yeah! Get some! lol
To Slay: (1d6+3=6, 1d8+7=9) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2192576/)
Hmm not the numbers I was looking for but not too shabby.
[/spoiler]
-
In response to Kestrels attack...
*TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-*
Spent shell casings litter the air in a steady stream as Kestrel's Chicago Typewriter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thompson_submachine_gun) writes the last chapter in Cannibal_B's life. Cannibal_B staggers backwards, crashing into Bone's wardrobe, and to the floor in a bloodied heap of flesh and bone.
Cannibal F throws his body back up against the wall that makes up part of Bone's headboard to dodge Kestrel's barrage. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2192763/)
He whirls to face Pingo, stabbing at him with deadly precision-- the spear point plunging into Pingo for 8 points of damage! (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2192758/)
-
And we're awaiting Russo and Bones. Then I can post the last group of cannibals...
-
scanning the corridor for a clear shot Russo swears violently and dives into the boiler room to awkwardly shovel wood with the kid, the browning still in his hand ((F16 to grab more wood then end the turn in D17, using up both Russo's actions))
"GET THOSE STAIRS CLEAR SO WE CAN GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!" he yells to the others
-
Bones original intentions to start the boiler have changes since seeing Russo dive into the room, his nose picking up the familiar aroma of burning wood. Bones realizes that the anchor is still down and begins to make his way down the corridor back to his room. The fastest way to the anchor is through the hatch over his dresser....maybe those hungry bastards have finally found somewhere else to be he thinks as he swings open the door to find a chunky bloodbath on his nice warm bed....dammit red never comes outis all he can think before he notices the few left standing...
[spoiler]balance....who needs it? (1d20-3=13) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2194307/)[/spoiler]
-
The last group of Cannibals goes...
Cannibal_J makes his move to (L9), a position where he can see down the stair well and into the lower deck hallway below, where the dead body of his fellow warrior lays in a crumpled heap, weeping blood from open bullet wounds. He screams "HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!" in frustrated anger. He readies another weapon for attack.
Cannibal_K takes up a similar strategy moving, while pulling out another weapon, to (L9) opposite of J. He too can see down the stairwell, but he can't see anything beyond his dead friend at the floor of the stairs. He readies another weapon for attack.
-
ROUND #5 SUMMARY
[spoiler]
18 Richard
Richard lets out a dry chuckle and the cannibal falls to his feet. The situation seems less grim now, and he feels infused with renewed vigor. He turns and lets loose another bullet, this one at Cannibal H.
*Ka-BOOOOOM--!!!!*
A splintered chunk of wooden shrapnel explodes from the side of the sturdy wooden pole, Cannibal_H 's head is reduced to a fine red mist, and a gout of blood fountains from the cannibals throat, his tongue wobbling from a dangling shattered jaw. Immediately the body crumpled to the deck like a marionette with its strings suddenly cut.
FASTER now and more fervent the drums,...*Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*...
18 Cannibals
Cannibal_C fires another arrow (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2191938/) down upon the Great White Hunter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_hunter), Richard-- screaming his ungodly howl of anger and hunger when Richard deftly sidesteps the shot, whirling his buffalo cannon about.
Cannibal_G peeks around the corner to fire a shot from his bow-- his shot unfortunate misses its intended target (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2191946/)
13 Russo
Scanning the corridor for a clear shot Russo swears violently and dives into the boiler room to awkwardly shovel wood with the kid, the browning still in his hand.
"GET THOSE STAIRS CLEAR SO WE CAN GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!" He yells to the others.
((F16 to grab more wood then end the turn in D17, using up both Russo's actions))
[RUSSO-- a Craft: Mechanical check from you to get this badboy running next round! Once it's running, and the anchor is up, Bones can get El Halcon moving from the Wheelhouse]
12 Kestrel
John holds his position and fires another burst of lead at the two cannibals in Bones' room.
*TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-*
Spent shell casings litter the air in a steady stream as Kestrel's Chicago Typewriter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thompson_submachine_gun) writes the last chapter in Cannibal_B's life. Cannibal_B staggers backwards, crashing into Bone's wardrobe, and to the floor in a bloodied heap of flesh and bone.
12 Cannibals
Cannibal F throws his body back up against the wall that makes up part of Bone's headboard to dodge Kestrel's barrage. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2192763/)
He whirls to face Pingo, stabbing at him with deadly precision-- the spear point plunging into Pingo for 8 points of damage! (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2192758/)
8 Loder
Seeing the slavering cannibal descend the steps, Loder grabs Bones, reaches over him with his gun and shouts, "GET DOWN!" before firing a shot at the primitive and winging him on the shoulder.
7 Pingo
Pingo roars as his last opponent fell beneath his blades, the blood spray whipping him into a frenzy. His head snatches to the right as he lays eyes on his next victim. The one who had just stabbed him..
PIngo's indignation knows no bounds. He thoughts on his wife and little girl-- he stabbed the man in the chest, punching through his heart with the spear, and simultaneously severing the savage's head. The cannibal falls to lay in Bones' bed like some parody. His head rolls along the floor to rest upright.
Blood. Mud. and Water drench Bones' once nice bed.
3 Eisen
Eisen continues to fire on the closest foe, thinking about whether there was a way to speed things up a bit so he could get to Richard. This boat needed to be moving faster away, in case of reinforcements. If the enemy knows where you are, don't be there; he and Russo needed to make it to the wheel-room, set-up defense and get gone. As he fired, Eisen hoped to find a faster path to clearing these few left out of his way...
The cannibal in the stairwell falls forward in a heap on the floor at the foot of the stairs. Blood seeps from his wounds. His eyes staring blankly towards Eisen.
3 Bones
Bones original intentions to start the boiler have changes since seeing Russo dive into the room, his nose picking up the familiar aroma of burning wood. Bones realizes that the anchor is still down and begins to make his way down the corridor back to his room. The fastest way to the anchor is through the hatch over his dresser....maybe those hungry bastards have finally found somewhere else to be he thinks as he swings open the door to find a chunky bloodbath on his nice warm bed....dammit red never comes outis all he can think before he notices the few left standing...
1 Cannibals
["HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Last Group of Cannibals...
The last group of Cannibals goes...
Cannibal_J makes his move to (L9), a position where he can see down the stair well and into the lower deck hallway below, where the dead body of his fellow warrior lays in a crumpled heap, weeping blood from open bullet wounds. He screams "HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!" in frustrated anger. He readies another weapon for attack.
Cannibal_K takes up a similar strategy moving, while pulling out another weapon, to (L9) opposite of J. He too can see down the stairwell, but he can't see anything beyond his dead friend at the floor of the stairs. He readies another weapon for attack.
Rapidly ...*Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*...[/spoiler]
ROUND #6 BEGINS...
(http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/461/halconbattlemap6.jpg)
Map shows the locations of all parties after the events of Round #5.
Initiative order:
18 Richard
18 Cannibals
13 Russo
12 Kestrel
12 Cannibals
8 Loder
7 Pingo
3 Eisen
3 Bones
1 Cannibals
AND GO!
-
[SPOT CHECK from Richard in addition to your normal actions. What you see will not effect your combat, it's a bigger picture sort of deal...]
-
Richard immediately swings his rifle to face Cannible C, reloading in a blur and letting off another shot. He yells out, "I guess I'll have to take care of everything myself!"
[spoiler]
Hit: 21
Damage: 19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2196173/)
[/spoiler]
Spot
[spoiler]
Spot: 33 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2196178/)
Natural 20! I'm pumped full of adrenaline!
[/spoiler]
-
*Ka-BOOOOOM--!!!!*
Cannibal_C's chest explodes as he falls off the tarped roof, and onto the deck, on the other side of Richard. It's not just raining hard... Cannibals are falling too..
Richard can see lines of torches being lit on one shore, he whirls his head around and see more torches on the other side...
10... 16... 20.. possibly more. No time to count them... The drums pound in furious unison...
-
"Pingo, I think Richard might need some help. You comin' or not?!" John yells over the sound of another one of Richard's gunshots as he rushes towards the stairs.
As he sees his German fellow soldier, he quickly asks "You care to join us to keep the rest of those fuckers from boarding the boat?" before running up the stairs.
[spoiler]Move as far as I can, to get to Richard and help him repel any other cannibals. If I'm correct, a full round will get me to J15, but I'll encounter cannibals J and K on the way, so I'll try to take care of them first.[/spoiler]
As John rushes up the stairs he notices 2 more cannibals.
"How many of these bastards are there!? he shouts as he unleashes a hail of lead on one of the cannibals and braces himself to face their attacks.
[spoiler]Move to K10, and Burst Fire on Cannibal K.
Attack (including modifiers for Point Blank Shot and Burst Fire): crap, forgot to add the -4 on my attack roll...
Do you want me to use the first one, and add the -4, or use a new roll including the -4 from the start?
The first one would give me 17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2196206/)-4=13 total.
The second one would give me 9 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2196207/)
Damage: 23 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2196215/)[/spoiler]
-
Init 18
Cannibal_G steps forward to grab the unconscious form of Esteban. With the young man in his graps be spends the rest of his movement backing towards (O-20) where his legs hit the low wooden side of the Halcon. He topples backwards into the darkness with Esteban. An Audible *Splash* can be heard.
-
As John rushes up the stairs he notices 2 more cannibals.
And they notice you! Held Readied actions (sorry) go off the moment that Kestrel reaches the K-10/D-10 area.
Two red feather tufts whiz past (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2196258/) the sergeant as he climbs the stairs. They sink into the wooden walls of the stairwell as he rushes by.
EDIT: Oh, and John runs out of movement on C-10 BTW. But you should still have LoS for your action. So no rushing up stairs.
EDIT: Kestrel is on the stairs, between floors, at K-10.
-
Meanwhile, in the Engine Compartment.
[spoiler]
The Kid and Russo have gotten the furnace running, and the boiler is beginning to build steam
From out in the hall There's the sound of gun fire, and Kestrel screaming over it. "... keep the rest of those fuckers from boarding..."
"Oooohh. He said the mother of all bad words!" The kid said in awe.
Russo, you can get the engine started and running from down here [Skill check Craft (Mechanical)], but after that Bones is going to need to get this thing OUT of here from the wheelhouse. Though he's drunk, he's the only one who van maneuver this boat on this river at night. You hope everyone manages to do their part. You know that if Bones is killed, it would be up to you to get this thing out of here.[/spoiler]
[All NPCs have acted this round. So it's up to the rest of you to fill out your moves. I'll see ya next round!
EDIT: Oh! and one other thing. If any of you end up on deck with Richard this round, take note that you will clearly see a BUNCH of torches heading towards the boat in the darkness... Hurray for reinforcements!]
-
[spoiler]
EDIT: Oh, and John runs out of movement on C-10 BTW. But you should still have LoS for your action. So no rushing up stairs.
F-7 to E-8 is 1
E-8 to D9 is +2, so 3
D9 to C9 is +1, so 4
C9 to C10 is +1, so 5
C10 to K10 is +1, so 6 squares total, right?
Or do stairs cost double movement? That might explain my mistake :)[/spoiler]
-
Not wanting this to take a minute longer than it has to, Eisen is just a step behind John, rushing after him. "Course I can. Bones! We need to get out of here, get to the damn wheel! Russo, he's drunk, you should help him!" He barely manages these words as he sprints up the stairs. Bolting up fast as he can, as he nears the stairs top, he prepares to tumble, and more successfully than he can ever remember doing so before, tumbles swiftly, next to the legs of the two waiting cannibals. Before he can even feel if he was entirely successful or not, he bolts for the stairway to the upper deck, swinging around and aiming as he gets to the stairs.
[spoiler]HP: 26
Shots left after this action: 4
Move action: Moves to M-10 (unless inbetween is another 5 ft, in which case it's L-10)
Free Action (Part of Move): Tumble to avoid AoO: 17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2196739/)
Move to N-7, turning to face the two on the stairs as a free action.
[/spoiler]
-
Following Kestrel's lead, Loder moves to the bottom of the stairs (C-10) and takes a shot up at Cannibal J.
[spoiler]Invisible Castle seems to be completely down. BTW, Is Cannibal J in melee with Kestrel?[/spoiler]
-
Pingo pauses to check and see that Bones is okay and his enemies are dead before he lets his blood lust and hatred for the cannibals over power his will. In his mind all cannibals should fall dead at his feet for their treacheries against him and mankind. He runs towards the stairs outside the door way then pauses looking up the stair way.
[spoiler]Pingo runs 30ft to d-10 and stops to catch his breath. Can he see anything up the stairs? Spot check? Ewww...invisible castle is down. However in real life I just rolled my d20 and got a sixteen total, too bad you weren't here to see it lol[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]arghh!!! invisible castle is down!! O_O I'll roll when it gets back up unless anybody else has a suggestion?[/spoiler]
"yeah and if I catch you repeating it I'll have bones spank you or something" he chides jokingly, looking around for any sort of hint as to how this thing might work
"LET ME GET THIS DAMN THING STARTED FIRST!!" he shouts down the corridor
"damn why did that idiot have to get drunk tonight!? we've been on this river for two days and he chooses tonight!"
-
"Damn why did that idiot have to get drunk tonight!? We've been on this river for two days and he chooses tonight!"
"He's no idiot! He's a GREAT MAN!" The Kid retorts, tossing more wood into the fire...
-
"Don't get me wrong kid even the greatest man (as I'm sure bones is) can act a fool in the presence of enough drink, I respect the man but he chose a hell of a night to marinade himself into oblivion, I just hope he can get us out of here before more of those monsters come down to get us"
[spoiler]Roll(1d20)+7:
13,+7
Total:20
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/dice/dice.htm
will this do for now? I'll re-roll once invisible castle kick-starts itself
[/spoiler]
"ah ha! here we go!" he says watching the needle on the pressure gage reach maximum and with a few twists of a valve and a pull of a leaver the boat is ready to be helmed and move at any time.
-
In the whirlwind of people moving about bones shouts to Pingo Hey Pingo man where are you goin you know its faster this way. Bones then attempts to make his way out of the hatch the Cannibals so conveniently used and all the other combatants so easily forgot about.
(ooc- I would roll a climb check for you but invisible castle is down and I need to get with you to figure out the next course of action)
-
ROUND #6 SUMMARY
[spoiler]
18 Richard
Richard immediately swings his rifle to face Cannible C, reloading in a blur and letting off another shot. He yells out, "I guess I'll have to take care of everything myself!"
*Ka-BOOOOOM--!!!!*
Cannibal_C's chest explodes as he falls off the tarped roof, and onto the deck, on the other side of Richard. It's not just raining hard... Cannibals are falling too..
Richard can see lines of torches being lit on one shore, he whirls his head around and see more torches on the other side...
10... 16... 20.. possibly more. No time to count them... The drums pound in furious unison...,...*Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*...
18 Cannibals
Cannibal_G steps forward to grab the unconscious form of Esteban. With the young man in his graps be spends the rest of his movement backing towards (O-20) where his legs hit the low wooden side of the Halcon. He topples backwards into the darkness with Esteban. An Audible *Splash* can be heard.
13 Russo
"Yeah and if I catch you repeating it, I'll have Bones spank you or something!" he chides jokingly, looking around for any sort of hint as to how this thing might work
"LET ME GET THIS DAMN THING STARTED FIRST!!" he shouts down the corridor.
"Damn why did that idiot have to get drunk tonight!? We've been on this river for two days and he chooses tonight!"
"He's no idiot! He's a GREAT MAN!" The Kid retorts, tossing more wood into the fire...
"Don't get me wrong kid even the greatest man (as I'm sure bones is) can act a fool in the presence of enough drink, I respect the man but he chose a hell of a night to marinade himself into oblivion, I just hope he can get us out of here before more of those monsters come down to get us"
(Craft: Mechanical Take 10 = 17)
"ah ha! here we go!" he says watching the needle on the pressure gage reach maximum and with a few twists of a valve and a pull of a leaver the boat is ready to be helmed and move at any time.
12 Kestrel
"Pingo, I think Richard might need some help. You comin' or not?!" John yells over the sound of another one of Richard's gunshots as he rushes towards the stairs.
As he sees his German fellow soldier, he quickly asks "You care to join us to keep the rest of those fuckers from boarding the boat?" before running up the stairs.
As John rushes up the stairs he notices 2 more cannibals.
"How many of these bastards are there!? he shouts as he unleashes a hail of lead on one of the cannibals and braces himself to face their attacks.
And they notice Kestrel as well! Readied actions go off the moment that Kestrel reaches the K-10/D-10 area.
Two red feather tufts whiz past the sergeant as he climbs the stairs. They sink into the wooden walls of the stairwell as he rushes by.
Kestrel moved to K10, and opened a Burst Fire on Cannibal K. *TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-* Kestrel MISSES!
His Large firearm draws an attack of opportunity from BOTH Cannibals as they stab at Kestrel, each with their short spears held in the hand not holding the blow guns.
Cannibal_K misses, and so does Cannibal_J.
Kestrel is on the stairs, between floors, at K-10.
8 Loder
Following Kestrel's lead, Loder moves to the bottom of the stairs (C-10) and finds that he has a hard shot to make through Kestrel. He fires anyway.
*Ka-BLAM!*
The bullet whizzes over Kestrel's head, and hits the ceiling above Cannibal_J
7 Pingo
Pingo pauses to check and see that Bones is okay and his enemies are dead before he lets his blood lust and hatred for the cannibals over power his will. In his mind all cannibals should fall dead at his feet for their treacheries against him and mankind.
He runs towards the stairs outside the door way then pauses as he sees a line up of people clogging the stairwell; Eisen, then Doc Loder at the bottom of the stairs straddling the corpse at his feet. The Sarge on the stairs in front of Loder. (I'm stopping you at C-8! This hall is PACKED!)
3 Eisen
Not wanting this to take a minute longer than it has to, Eisen is just a step behind John, rushing after him. "Course I can. Bones! We need to get out of here, get to the damn wheel! Russo, he's drunk, you should help him!" He barely manages these words as he sprints up the stairs. Bolting up fast as he can, as he nears the stairs top, he prepares to tumble, and more successfully than he can ever remember doing so before, tumbles swiftly, next to the legs of the two waiting cannibals. Before he can even feel if he was entirely successful or not, he bolts for the stairway to the upper deck, swinging around and aiming as he gets to the stairs.
3 Bones
In the whirlwind of people moving about bones shouts to Pingo "Hey Pingo man where are you goin you know its faster this way!"
Bones then attempts to make his way out of the hatch the Cannibals so conveniently used and all the other combatants so easily forgot about. It's a struggle, and it isn't pretty... but then, no one is around to see Bones when he crawls out of the hatch onto the slick deck. He managed to find the Anchor rope-- just needs to pull it up next round!
1 Cannibals
["HOOOOOOooooOOOOoOOOoOOOOooowwwWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Cannibal_J takes off through the door next to Kestrel, past the railing of the stairs. (He draws a melee AoO from Kestrel by doing so)-- he runs along the outside deck to J-5
Cannibal_K follows J quickly out the open door as well. He ends his movement at J-7
Rapidly ...*Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*...[/spoiler]
ROUND #7 BEGINS...
(http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/2774/halconbattlemap7.jpg)
Map shows the locations of all parties after the events of Round #6.
Initiative order:
18 Richard
13 Russo
12 Kestrel
8 Loder
7 Pingo
3 Eisen
3 Bones
1 Cannibals
AND GO!
-
Bowen
[spoiler][As a carry over from last round, Cannibal_J draws a Melee attack of opportunity from Kestrel. Since you are holding the Tommy gun with both hands, it can either be with the butt of the weapon, or a nonlethal punch.][/spoiler]
-
Seeing his prey leave, Eisen moves up the stairs fast to cut them off, over the railing finding his poor targets right beneath him. Lifting his pistol and letting yet another shot loose, he counts the spent bullets as the drumbeats seem to speed up around him. Calling out in the rain, "Richard? You better not have died, you stuck-up Brit!" Eisen seemed to be enjoying this a bit more than he should be...
[spoiler]
HP: 26
Shots left after this action: 3
Move Action: Move to T-5
Standard Action: Fire on cannibal J, To-Hit: 22, Damage: 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2197248/)
Ah, good 'ol invisible castle....
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Seeing his prey leave, Eisen moves up the stairs, finding new meat right nearby as he does so. Still too far away to be a real threat, Eisen lifts his pistol and lets another shot loose, as the drumbeats seem to speed up around him. Calling out in the rain, "Richard? You better not have died, you stuck-up Brit!" Eisen seemed to be enjoying this a bit more than he should be...
[spoiler]
HP: 26
Shots left after this action: 3
Move Action: Move to V-7
Standard Action: Fire on cannibal L, To-Hit: 22, Damage: 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2197248/)
Ah, good 'ol invisible castle....
[/spoiler]
Let it be noted that... Cannibal_L was actually just a figment of your imagination-- He doesn't exist. He WOULD have, but I said fuck it.
So this means you can keep those rolls, but you'll need a new action and target to replace the old.[/spoiler]
-
Richard yells out, "I'm fine, but one of the bastards has Esteban and jumped overboard!" He then shoots at Cannibal G, hoping that he doesn't wing Esteban, and takes a five foot step to K 20.
[spoiler]
Hit: 12
Damage: 11 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2197274/)
Action point: 5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2197275/)
New hit roll: 17
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Melee AoO using the butt of my Tommygun:
Attack: 19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2197675/)
Damage: 2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2197680/)[/spoiler]
John rushes outside and follows the cannibals before unleashing more lead on the rear cannibal. I can't let them reach Bones, especially not in his current state. he thinks to himself.
[spoiler]Move to J9 and Burst Fire on Cannibal_K.
Attack: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2197683/)
If necessary, I'll use an action point: 5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2197686/) for a total of 23.
Damage: 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2197689/)[/spoiler]
-
Those of you who are the upper decks (ie: Eisen, Richard, Bones, Kestrel...)
You guys see the slight of at LEAST 30 torches, coming towards the boat from across the water. Likely held by Cannibal Reinforcements coming in dugout canoes...
They will be at the boat, and clambering up it's sides in a screaming fury by Round 10...
The Engine starts with a satisfying rumble, as the steam activates the pistons, and the wheels begin to turn and pump.
The Kid lets out a satisfied hoot, "Whoo-hooo! We DID it Russy!! We DID it!
On Deck, Bones is ready to pull up the Anchor.
-
[spoiler]In other words, Bones, get your drunken ass up there and get this boat out of here! :D[/spoiler]
-
Initiative order carried over from last page:
18 Richard
13 Russo
12 Kestrel
8 Loder
7 Pingo
3 Eisen
3 Bones
1 Cannibals
Those PCs names that are in bold have already acted on this new/current round.
-
Hearing that Esteban was in trouble, Loder rushes up the stairs and towards the back where the mules were secured. He stops (M-17) suddenly upon seeing the lifeless body of his friend Paco. "Paco? Oh god no!"
Loder tries to see what he can do for Paco.
[spoiler]Treat Injury: 31 (NATURAL FUCKING TWENTY!) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2199644/)[/spoiler]
But the body is already cold.
-
Pingo, upon hearing his old companions voice, breaks free from his blood lust. Protecting Bones is his new priority, he owed his life to this man. Pingo turns and runs back into the room, then sees the open hatch. That must be the way Bones took, he thought to himself, then followed.
[spoiler]Would like to use a full round action to move up to four times my normal speed and get me beside Bones if possible.[/spoiler]
-
Closer they come-- some paddling while others held torches. Each dugout held between 3 to 4 savages, each painted for war and armed with spears, knives, bows & arrows, and blowguns. There seemed to between 6 and 8 on either side of the riverboat.
Behind them, from the thick jungles the constant droning of the drum beats pound...*Thrruuum-thrrruuum* *Thrruuum-thrrruuum* *Thrruuum-thrrruuum* *Thrruuum-thrrruuum* *Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*...
Bones & Russo. You are up! :)
-
"Thats brilliant kid!! Now lets get the Fu-uh heck out of here!! just keep stoking those fires!" he yells at the kid taking a full round action to leg-it ((up to M-4)) to the top deck ready to help Bones with the anchor
[spoiler]do I have the calculations right there? triple movement since I don't have the 'run' feat for quadruple means I move ninety foot[/spoiler]
"come on people lets get this thing moving! And Why are my girls still asleep!?"
[spoiler]((Richard, Eisen are you aware you are standing next to a gun large enough to make the rifles in your hands look dainty? mind you probably not the best thing to take pot shots at a cannibal holding one of your friends with a heavy machine gun))[/spoiler]
-
Bones reaches for the rope hanging over the side of his boat and heaves as fast as he can in an attempt to get the anchor up before the torches reach his prized boat. He remembers the days paddling down the river before he got his baby and doesn't miss them.
[spoiler]balance.....bitches (1d20-3=14) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2202542/)[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Strength check (1d20-2=-1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2202555/) [/spoiler]
He attempts the heave the line anyways...
Uh....a little help here ...I think it's suck on ...somthin.....
-
[spoiler]Strength check (1d20-2=-1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2202555/)
He attempts the heave the line anyways...
Uh....a little help here ...I think it's suck on ...somthin.....
I don't think that pulling up the Anchor will actually need a strength check-- usually the kid pulls it up, and you're waay stronger than him-- even drunk.
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
What in my training makes you think I'd actually be any good with your guns? Anyways, I'm killing these guys in one shot as soon as I hit them, you can fire your girls at the cannibal backup. :P
-
I don't think that pulling up the Anchor will actually need a strength check-- usually the kid pulls it up, and you're waay stronger than him-- even drunk.
[/spoiler]
In that case he begins pulling the line with a deftness that says "I've pulled on a rope before".....
-
[spoiler]yeah but everybody loves some heavy machine gun action[/spoiler]
-
ROUND #7 SUMMARY
[spoiler]
Those of you who are the upper decks...
You guys see the slight of at LEAST 30 torches, coming towards the boat from across the water. Likely held by Cannibal Reinforcements coming in dugout canoes...
They will be at the boat, and clambering up it's sides in a screaming fury by Round 10...
The Engine starts with a satisfying rumble, as the steam activates the pistons, and the wheels begin to turn and pump.
The Kid lets out a satisfied hoot, "Whoo-hooo! We DID it Russy!! We DID it!
18 Richard
Richard yells out, "I'm fine, but one of the bastards has Esteban and jumped overboard!" He then shoots at Cannibal G, hoping that he doesn't wing Esteban, and takes a five foot step to K 20.
Richard can see two bodies floating face down in the murky river water… one belonging to a very dead cannibal… the other is Esteban, he was unconscious before from a dart, he’ll likely drown if quick action is not taken!
...*Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*... the drums continue their throbbing pulse as the cannibals in dugout canoes come closer… and closer…
13 Russo
"Thats brilliant kid!! Now let’s get the Fu-uh heck out of here!! Just keep stoking those fires!" he yells at the kid taking a full round action to leg-it ((up to M-4)) to the top deck ready to help Bones with the anchor.
"Come on people lets get this thing moving! And why are my girls still asleep!?"
12 Kestrel
John rushes outside and follows the cannibals before unleashing more lead on the rear cannibal. I can't let them reach Bones, especially not in his current state. he thinks to himself.
Move to J9 and Burst Fire on Cannibal_K.
*TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-TAKA-*
Cannibal_K’s back erupts in a patchwork of blood. The savage collapses to the deck…
8 Loder
Hearing that Esteban was in trouble, Loder rushes up the stairs and towards the back where the mules were secured. He stops (M-17) suddenly upon seeing the lifeless body of his friend Paco. "Paco? Oh god no!"
Loder tries to see what he can do for Paco… But the body is already cold.
7 Pingo
Pingo, upon hearing his old companions voice, breaks free from his blood lust. Protecting Bones is his new priority, he owed his life to this man. Pingo turns and runs back into the room, then sees the open hatch. That must be the way Bones took, he thought to himself, then followed.
Would like to use a full round action to move up to four times my normal speed and get me beside Bones if possible.
3 Eisen
Seeing his prey leave, Eisen moves up the stairs fast to cut them off-- Out the Wheelhouse window-- finding his poor targets right beneath him. Lifting his pistol and letting yet another shot loose,
*Ka-BLAM--!!!!*
He counts the spent bullets as the drumbeats seem to speed up around him. Calling out in the rain, "Richard? You better not have died, you stuck-up Brit!" Eisen seemed to be enjoying this a bit more than he should be...
3 Bones
Bones reaches for the rope hanging over the side of his boat and heaves as fast as he can in an attempt to get the anchor up before the torches reach his prized boat. He remembers the days paddling down the river before he got his baby and doesn't miss them.
He attempts the heave the line--
“Uh....a little help here ...I think it's suck on ...somthin.....”
The rope suddenly yanks up, and Bones is able to pull in the anchor no problem!
“Nevermind!” He corrects.
1 Cannibals
Closer they come-- some paddling while others held torches. Each dugout held between 3 to 4 savages, each painted for war and armed with spears, knives, bows & arrows, and blowguns. There seemed to between 6 and 8 on either side of the riverboat.
Behind them, from the thick jungles the constant droning of the drum beats pound...*Thrruuum-thrrruuum* *Thrruuum-thrrruuum* *Thrruuum-thrrruuum* *Thrruuum-thrrruuum* *Thrruuum-thrrruuum**Thrruuum-thrrruuum*...
[/spoiler]
ROUND #8 BEGINS...
(http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/4268/halconbattlemap8.jpg)
Map shows the locations of all parties after the events of Round #7.
All Savages have been cleared from the decks! It’s time to get the hell out of dodge!
Initiative order:
18 Richard
13 Russo
12 Kestrel
8 Loder
7 Pingo
3 Eisen
3 Bones
1 Cannibals in dugouts
AND GO!
-
Richard tosses his rifle to Dr. Loder and yells, "Cover me!" He then dives into the water after Esteban.
[spoiler]
Swim: 1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2203875/)
If I drown after all of that I'm going to be grumpy.
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Richard tosses his rifle to Dr. Loder and yells, "Cover me!" He then dives into the water after Esteban.
Swim: 1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2203875/)
If I drown after all of that I'm going to be grumpy.
You mights want to hold your breath! ;)
Detailed Swim Skill explanation (http://12tomidnight.com/d20modernsrd/Skills.php?Name=Swim)
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Richard tosses his rifle to Dr. Loder and yells, "Cover me!" He then dives into the water after Esteban.
Swim: 1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2203875/)
If I drown after all of that I'm going to be grumpy.
You mights want to hold your breath! ;)
Detailed Swim Skill explanation (http://12tomidnight.com/d20modernsrd/Skills.php?Name=Swim)
[/spoiler]
[spoiler]
I know, I looked at that. I'm assuming I don't have to tell you that I'm holding my breathe. :p
I'm more concerned that I have a +0 swim check and if the water is Rough or Stormy I'm probably screwed.
[/spoiler]
-
Surprised by Richard's brash actions, Loder fumbles the rifle and drops it to the floor. The thought flashes across his mind: He'll never make it back before those cannibals get here! I need a rope!
Loder rushes forward through the mules to where he saw the coiled rope on the floor of the main cabin and hurriedly snatches it up (L14).
-
[spoiler](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/7aro7dragoon/shouty.png)[/spoiler]
seeing as everything was in bone's capable (if unsteady) hands Russo moved up to the prow of the boat and tugged the tarp off of the large gun resting on its tripod like a sleeping tiger, opening the box attached to the Receiver he pulled the belt of .30 bullets, closed the top and cocked the weapon.
"Eizen! spot for me! tell me where they are!" he shouted behind him, wheeled the long gun around and opened fire on the closest set of torches
[spoiler]let er' rip!! 22 to hit! (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2205114/) ohhh I love the smell of cordite in the morning 12 for damage (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2205115/)[/spoiler]
-
Hearing the splash of someone apparently falling in the water John rushes over to the back of the boat, only to find Richard trying to swim as a crapload of cannibals approach.
"What the fuck is going on here, Doc?!" he yells as he starts to take aim at one of the boats full of cannibals.
[spoiler]Double move to L20, will provide cover fire for our limey next round.[/spoiler]
Ammunition update:
[spoiler]Tranter revolver: 1 shot fired out of 5, so 4 left;
Tommygun: 40 shots fired out of 101, so 61 left[/spoiler]
-
[ Bones & Pingo, your actions please. Then the round will end. ]
-
[spoiler]Don't forget me![/spoiler]
Knowing he had only the two shots left, Eisen put his handgun down to save it for a rainy moment, and pulled up his rifle to his shoulder. "Aim where you see bodies not on this boat!" If Richard got himself shot, that was his problem. Why was he in the damned water anyways? Lifting up his rifle and taking aim, he fired a shot near the closest boat he could see. Using the grenades might be a good thought, but in the dark with such small boats, not a smooth idea at all; they'd have to wait for another time...
[spoiler]Is a spot check actually needed, or are they close enough that we can just lay waste to them?
HP: 26/37
Shots after this action: 4
Move Action: "Draw" the Gewehr 43
Standard Action: To hit: 23, Damage: 17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2206815/)
Day-um! Alri', let's waste these fuckers!
Handgun put down as free action, has three bullets left.[/spoiler]
-
Pingo looks around but doesn't see any enemies on the deck so stays close to his drunken companion for now. He would more likely than not leave the man's side even if he wasn't drunk, this was his only real friend.
[spoiler]Holding my action unless Bones moves to a certain square. If he does so then I would like to use my holded action to follow him and put my character in front of Bones if possible, if not then on either side of him, and finally if no other way possible, even behind him. Having no real ranged weapons I don't think there is much I can do at this point, plus it makes sense for my character to do this really.[/spoiler]
-
Bones has forfeited his turn.
Bones having pulled in the anchor, turns to Pingo and slurs, "Come on, Pingo! Les get this lady MOVING!"
Bones enters the foredeck doors, and into the main cabin where he turns and rushes up the stairs.
He starts the boat...
Cannibals in the dugouts begin to howl in fury as they begin to see the Halcon ready to depart-- They try to paddle faster...
-
[spoiler]Free action, outside of initiative, before Richard's action:[/spoiler]
Loder shouts as loud as he can, hoping the screaming cannibals don't drown his voice out. "Richard! Grab the rope!"
-
ROUND #9
"What rope?! I don't *coff* see any bloody rope you dizzy yank!" Richard sputters as his head pops above the water. There was no rope that he could see.
He hears the sound of the motor starting, and he realizes that he's running out of time. He swims the short distance towards where the body of Esteban is floating and grabs the young man, tilting his head back and out of the river water.
He had no idea if Esteban was still alive, but this was not the time to stop to check for a pulse. He hoped to God that Loder was about to toss them a line... otherwise, this day was going to get a whole lot worse.
*PAKAKKAKAKAKKAKAKAKKAKAKAKAKAKAAKA--*
He could hear the sound of Russo's heavy machine gun open up and tear through the jungle night like a series of rapid explosions-- the man must have gotten a hold of one of his "ladies" at the fore deck. Struggling in the water Richard could just make out one of the dugouts as one of hits toche bearing occupants was ripped to shreds in a hail of burning lead. Those others savages that shared that one's dugout dove off into the water as to not receive the same treatment.
Other shots rang out in the night-- These bloody cannibals may have had the numbers this evening, but we had civilized technology to beat them back. God save the Queen, he thought idly.
Everyone
[spoiler]Okay, we're close to the end of this combat so I'm not going to worry about your relative positions that much on the battle map. There are no cannibals left alive on deck as it is, just keep doing what you need to do to escape these bastards, and onec you're clear initiative order will come to an end...
... unless the cannibals get on the boat of course... Which will happen at the start of round #11... that is unless Richard grabs the rope, and is able to be pulled to safety-- Bones doesn't know to wait for any "man overboard!" and with these cannibals closeing in on his baby, El Halcon... He may not care to wait anyway.
So get Richard and Esteban to safety THIS round... or Richard is going to be swimming in a cook pot next!
[/spoiler]
-
Loder throws the rope out, trying to get it as close to Richard as possible, while bracing himself for the weight of the two men.
-
[spoiler]I'll delay my turn until after Doctor Loder. If he can pull in Richard on his own, I'll provide cover fire. If not, I'll drop my Tommygun and help him pull our limey onboard :)[/spoiler]
-
Eisen moves to The Doctor, waiting to see if they need help dragging the Brit up. Once sliding into place next to them, he shouts "Just swim towards the boat! You'll FIND the damn rope if you can get here FAST!" If he'd had his flashlight, he could have spot the rope for him. Keeping his rifle up and his ears open, Eisen holds the trigger lightly, ready to let it fall on it's strap if his strength is needed.
[spoiler]Moves to Loder, and like John will try to help bring him up.[/spoiler]
-
There is a sound in the air, a swift humming as a volley of arrow shafts erupt out of the darkness. The savages in the canoes had begun to return fire.
Richard is hit in the shoulder whilst grabbing hold of Esteban. He takes 6 points of damage.
Loder holding onto to one end of the rope, is struck in his left thigh. He take 4 points of damage.
Kestrel sidesteps an arrow meant for him, as it sinks point first into the wooden decking at his feet.
Jon Russo ducks behind his gun as an arrow soars harmlessly over his head.
Eisen is struck in his left arm by the stone-tipped arrow. He takes 4 points of damage.
-
Pingo follows Bones to the main cabin, weapons raised to protect his friend. As the boat gets started Pingo's heart begins to beat even faster. We gotta get out of here!
[spoiler]Going to Chewbacca this and help Bones anyway I can to get this bad boy out of here[/spoiler]
-
Russo continues to fire into the darkness, shooting at any torches he can see squeezing the trigger down until he was sure the boats had no survivors on.
[spoiler]I'm assuming I still have to roll to hit things but since ol' Russo is autofiring thats just a nice low 10 the hit the squares I do love autofire. 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2212474/) and damage to everything in the 10ft square... [urlhttp://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2212479/]not as awesome[/url][/spoiler]
ammo update:
[spoiler]since the start of this campaign Russo has fired 5 rounds of 9mm leaving him with 45 rounds. and between him and the kid (who I assumed used auto fire against good old Muta (rest his soul)) used 22 rounds of heavy .30 ammunition leaving Russo with 178 rounds for his girls[/spoiler]
-
"That's it! I've had it with these motherfucking cannibals in this motherfucking jungle!" Sgt. Kestrel screams as his comrades are hit by the cannibals' arrows and he takes aim at the closest canoe to unleash a burst of lead from his Chicago Typewriter.
[spoiler]Autofire on the closest canoe.
Attack: 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2212609/)
Damage: 6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2212611/)
Both attack and damage receive a bonus of +1 if the canoe is within 30 ft. (Point Blank Shot)[/spoiler]
-
There is a sudden JOLT as the boat lurches forward, driven by the steam-powered screws beneath the river's surface.
Richard! You need to make a touch attack to grab that rope! Then I need a swim check immediately afterwards!
-
[spoiler]
Touch Attack: 12
Swim: 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2213048/)
[/spoiler]
-
Richard's hand grabs down upon the rope, just moments before it would be jerked out of his reach. Around him, he can see the angry faces of Cannibals bearing torches and arrows, coming closer.
Holding the unconscious Esteban to his chest with one arm, and gripping the rope in the other, he kicks his feet to keep from going under.
El Halcon was moving, and Richard was being dragged behind it. He could see the determined looks of those on the deck, grasping the rope, trying to pull them out of the water.
He could hear the sound of one of Russo's guns rip into the night, and he could see Sgt. Kestrel opening fire with his own tommygun.
Around him he could hear the death screams of savages as they died-- ripped to shreds by bullets.
[ STRENGTH CHECK for those helping Loder pull Richard and Esteban to safety! ]
-
Loder hangs on to the rope, trying to reel Richard in like a large fish, ignoring the intense waves of pain in his right leg.
[spoiler]Strength Check = 6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2213357/)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]I'll start helping next round I guess :)
I'll roll my Strength check in advance: 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2213716/)[/spoiler]
-
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Loder shouts out as loud as he can. "He's too heavy! Somebody get back here and give us a hand!"
-
Now that the boat is moving-- we're going to leave initiative order behind. This combat is over... but you still need to save Richard & Esteban from their potential watery grave...(either the river or a boiling cookpot!)
-
John quickly puts down his SMG and grabs hold of the rope, hoping the combined strength of himself, Doctor Loder and Eisen would be enough to pull Richard and Esteban back onboard.
[spoiler]Strength check: 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2213716/)[/spoiler]
-
Russo abandons the gun, as they leave the cannibals behind and runs back to help drag Richard and his limp cargo,
"Come on guys pull them up!!" he shouts straining on the rope
[spoiler]8 why have none of us got over double digits!? (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2214682/)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Amazing.[/spoiler]
El Halcon, piloted by the piss drunk Harrison Bones steams away from the cannibals, dragging Richard & Esteban behind on a rope, while the group-- exhausted from their extended battle with the savages-- continued to struggle with pulling the to men to safety. Finally, a couple of bends of the river later... Richard and Esteban are pulled to the deck of Bone's El Halcon, The Falcon.
*Thrum-thrum**Thrum-thrum**Thrum-thrum**Thrum-thrum**Thrum-thrum**Thrum-thrum**Thrum-thrum*...
Soon, the only sound was the steady chug of El Halcon's engine and the constant droning of rain. Blood streaked across the decks. Bodies dangle from the roof, over the rails, and across the decks as well.
End Prologue Part I
[ Go ahead and level your PCs to level 6 at this time. ]