Rin is about to shoot back that they will level both accusation and condemnation and even execration however they please, when the world shifts around them. The good thing is that Sen's still with them. Actually, they're all still together just... Back at the ruins, it looks like.
Still, Rin hisses under their breath, in irritated and impulsive Infernal, "[ Could've fucking given a warning. ]”
At Faolan's touch, Dima had felt the red-run threat of a headache recede toward nothing. Felt thought clarify, the restrictive mingling of frustration and concern turn less choking in his chest. He'd turn to Faolan; of course he had. With the ticked trace of a half-smile, with a feeling like relief. His response to Faolan comes less fraught, as if melting into Fae's keeping, [ He has a habit of showing up at the very center of trouble. Of placing himself precisely in that center.
Still. I suppose it matters little what I did or didn't see; we know now. ]
And, drifting one hand to cover Faolan's, he squeezes softly. [ Fae. I'm very, very pleased you're here.
Thank you. ]
In this renewed almost-ease, Dmitri takes the news of the skeleton almost in stride. Alarmed, yes, but his calm remains; the information doesn't sharpen the situation's direness any further than it already seemed. And in the wake of unexpected teleportation, Dima only makes certain he has Faolan's hand in hold, and presses it again. [ It's progress, at least. ]
And out loud, to Nerys (after glancing to ascertain that Sen and Rin are still with them, as well), "Have you or your host noticed anything strange in the area?"
<.>
Faolan squeezes his hand reassuringly, and finds himself reassured by Dima's nearness. (He could, he thinks, exist like this. Always, perhaps. (It's a fantasy.) (It doesn't seem like one just now.)) Even the teleportation doesn't shake him; he makes a noise of disapproval, but otherwise takes it in stride.
Sen was sort of expecting this. If they want him to come retrieve his 'demon', of course this would happen. It's the addition of Rin, Dima, and Faolan that he didn't anticipate. That worries him.
Nerys returns his hands to their clasp behind his back and unflinchingly endures the profanity from Rin, the stink-eye from Sen. Dmitri's question garners a cagey expression, but he admits sheepishly, "No. To be fair, though: most of them keep away from the sunlight. This isn't our time, so they rest."
From this vantage, he glances towards the ruins, then exhales a heavy breath. "Well. Seeing as the fault for this lies with us all, I would ask you four to go flush out this Calabra fellow and his cronies.”
"'And you'll be doing what, exactly?" Faolan snaps. "Watching and betting?"
Nerys looks as though he swallowed a lemon, but Faolan's stare doesn't waver. With a tsk, he rolls his eyes. "Oh, very well. I'll find some of our mudmen to help."
"And you'll come," Faolan adds for him.
Nerys blinks back a look of disgust, then relents in a much-aggrieved tone, "And I'll come along."
(Faolan's intimidation: 15)
<.>
Oh, that was—
That was very attractive, that assertion and unwavering stare, and Dima doesn't precisely hide a pleased little smirk. Messages Fae, [ Very well done. ]
There's a quick consult with Liviana, and then Dima addresses Nerys, addresses the whole of the group in a low voice, "Keep watch for Gower's daughter and sister, as well; Calabra may have brought them along.
"I suggest into two groups, perhaps three, depending on your mudmen's capabilities." He nods to Nerys. "I can cloak one of you in Invisibility. For the rest, stealth if you're able; Liviana will search from above. "
<.>
Faolan is going to cast Pass Without a Trace on the party, giving +10 to stealth checks.
Since Fae cast Pass Without a Trace, Dima is going to cast Invisibility on Liviana. He us Concerned about Calabra’s men having identified her already as an uncommon creature.
Nerys will have the golems hang back. And everyone else make a stealth check.
[STEALTH f: 32 s: nat 20 d: 31 r: 30 nerys: 16]
Fae is going to suggest Sen and Rin stealth ahead and *not engage anything*. And Dima seems to be the most Adult here, so Fae suggests he leads. But not like. Physically.
<.>
Dima agrees that this is probably the wisest call, especially since he'll be the one to hear from Liv if she sees anything.
Rin is already giving Sen the 'all right let's do this >:o' look.
<.>
Sen nodding and blowing a kiss.
Fae giving Dima a hand press before letting go so he can use his hands for possible fighting.
<.>
Rin catching it, setting it on their cheek! And blowing Sen a kiss of his own!
And Dima letting himself have the briefest Moment, little smile and a strong squeeze back before getting himself into search mode.
I would like to begin with Liv taking a sweep around the immediate area, looking for signs of movement or any disturbance/shape that seems out of place among the ruins.
[dm: Everything seems quiet; the stalls are mostly gone right now, and the rest of the area shows no sign of movement.]
Liv conveys this to Dima; Dima conveys it to the party, and requests that Rin move to the left, checking the area with the beds and fire, moving toward where I've placed Liv. He asks Sen to head to the right, aiming toward where i've temporarily placed Dima's marker.
[PERC s: 9 r: 24 liv: 11]
<.>
Sen, preoccupied with thinking about Moloch now that he's away from Rin, doesn't notice anything unusual. Liv likewise can't seem to make out anything.
Rin doesn't find anything of note.
Sen and Rin move ahead and see nothing of note.
<.>
Dima asks Sen what the walls look like.
<.>
“Stone, asshole.”
<.>
Rin nearly reports that they've found some earthworms, but they remember that's not the point here.
And Dima rolls his eyes at Sen.
Next step: Dima, Fae, and Nerys are going to head over to where Rin is rn. Dima's sending Rin to join Sen. Mudmen, keep muddin.
<.>
More moving, more moving, and—
Sen stops at the top of the stairs. And then sloooowly backs down when he sees a human male moving quietly between the tables with his sword drawn.
<.>
Rin is. Very tempted to just sneak in as close as they can.
But they're going to hold at the stairs right now. Back down two steps. Message Sen, [ Okay, fuck. ]
And to Dima, [ There's a guy up here. ]
<.>
[PERC f: nat 20 d: 5 nerys: 12]
Fae reaches out and taps Dima's arm, then points straight ahead. Moving somewhat stealthily through the ruins are two more human males.
So. At the moment, everyone has the element of surprise on these three individuals.
<.>
Dima Messages Rin first, giving them a particular warning to noT back in that direction. He Messages Sen to give the other men's location.
Dima's going to tell Rin and Sen to hold positions outside the single man's sight. He'll ask them to report immediately if the man comes within ten feet of either of them. He asks Fae to keep an eye on the two men, and report whether they begin approach Rin.
And he's going to have Liv take a quick swoop southward, just in case.
[q: Does Liv catch a glimpse of those two? O.o a: She sure does.]
She tells Dima; Dima lets everyone know and asks for reports on the movement of any of the first three men.
[note: The one facing Sen seems to be making an inspection of the tavern area.
Nerys is going to, against advice, slowly start to circle around Dima's left.]
Dima is absolutely feeling the tick of time and is fairly certain they're not going to BE in a better position to surprise at least these three.
So.
Dima is going to grab Fae's hand. He’ll Message Sen to watch Rin and move when they move. Messages Nerys to move when he sees Fae and Dima move. Messages Fae to tell him to move when Dima squeezes his hand. And now waits for response from Sen and for confirming look or response to Message from Fae before giving Rin the go.
<.>
Nerys Messages back to let him deal with the nearest one.
Nerys will also Message to hold attacking until the other one passes.
<.>
Dima does not promise anything, but does Message [ Noted ], lets Fae know, and will plan on directing his own attack elsewhere while keeping an Eye on Nerys just in case.
And!
Rin moves to where I've put them just theRe. And they're going to make an attack using the hand crossbow. Hits at 12 for 7 points, and they’ll use bonus action to Dodge.
Dima casts Burning Hands on a shithead who saves with a nat 20, so takes 5 points fire damage.
<.>
Nerys sneak attacks a shithead with a nat 20. He appears behind the thug and, with a hand over the man's mouth, thrusts his rapier clean through.
He's going to head for somewhere he can drop back into stealth now, which he manages to do with an 18.
Fae is going to just helpfully finish off that one guy, likewise with a rapier attack. And likewise with a crit! So that's 10 points of damage with the rapier. And he gets a second attack with off-hand dagger, which hits for 4 points. Fae is staying on him to avoid Awkward Opportunity Attacks.
Sen uses his shortbow, hits for 4 points, and he's going to duck behind the wall there.
<.>
Liv, still invisible, is going to stay in the area she's in so she can watch where those two fuckers get to.
no subject
Still, Rin hisses under their breath, in irritated and impulsive Infernal, "[ Could've fucking given a warning. ]”
At Faolan's touch, Dima had felt the red-run threat of a headache recede toward nothing. Felt thought clarify, the restrictive mingling of frustration and concern turn less choking in his chest. He'd turn to Faolan; of course he had. With the ticked trace of a half-smile, with a feeling like relief. His response to Faolan comes less fraught, as if melting into Fae's keeping, [ He has a habit of showing up at the very center of trouble. Of placing himself precisely in that center.
Still. I suppose it matters little what I did or didn't see; we know now. ]
And, drifting one hand to cover Faolan's, he squeezes softly. [ Fae. I'm very, very pleased you're here.
Thank you. ]
In this renewed almost-ease, Dmitri takes the news of the skeleton almost in stride. Alarmed, yes, but his calm remains; the information doesn't sharpen the situation's direness any further than it already seemed. And in the wake of unexpected teleportation, Dima only makes certain he has Faolan's hand in hold, and presses it again. [ It's progress, at least. ]
And out loud, to Nerys (after glancing to ascertain that Sen and Rin are still with them, as well), "Have you or your host noticed anything strange in the area?"
<.>
Faolan squeezes his hand reassuringly, and finds himself reassured by Dima's nearness. (He could, he thinks, exist like this. Always, perhaps. (It's a fantasy.) (It doesn't seem like one just now.)) Even the teleportation doesn't shake him; he makes a noise of disapproval, but otherwise takes it in stride.
Sen was sort of expecting this. If they want him to come retrieve his 'demon', of course this would happen. It's the addition of Rin, Dima, and Faolan that he didn't anticipate. That worries him.
Nerys returns his hands to their clasp behind his back and unflinchingly endures the profanity from Rin, the stink-eye from Sen. Dmitri's question garners a cagey expression, but he admits sheepishly, "No. To be fair, though: most of them keep away from the sunlight. This isn't our time, so they rest."
From this vantage, he glances towards the ruins, then exhales a heavy breath. "Well. Seeing as the fault for this lies with us all, I would ask you four to go flush out this Calabra fellow and his cronies.”
"'And you'll be doing what, exactly?" Faolan snaps. "Watching and betting?"
Nerys looks as though he swallowed a lemon, but Faolan's stare doesn't waver. With a tsk, he rolls his eyes. "Oh, very well. I'll find some of our mudmen to help."
"And you'll come," Faolan adds for him.
Nerys blinks back a look of disgust, then relents in a much-aggrieved tone, "And I'll come along."
(Faolan's intimidation: 15)
<.>
Oh, that was—
That was very attractive, that assertion and unwavering stare, and Dima doesn't precisely hide a pleased little smirk. Messages Fae, [ Very well done. ]
There's a quick consult with Liviana, and then Dima addresses Nerys, addresses the whole of the group in a low voice, "Keep watch for Gower's daughter and sister, as well; Calabra may have brought them along.
"I suggest into two groups, perhaps three, depending on your mudmen's capabilities." He nods to Nerys. "I can cloak one of you in Invisibility. For the rest, stealth if you're able; Liviana will search from above. "
<.>
Faolan is going to cast Pass Without a Trace on the party, giving +10 to stealth checks.
Since Fae cast Pass Without a Trace, Dima is going to cast Invisibility on Liviana. He us Concerned about Calabra’s men having identified her already as an uncommon creature.
Nerys will have the golems hang back. And everyone else make a stealth check.
[STEALTH
f: 32
s: nat 20
d: 31
r: 30
nerys: 16]
Fae is going to suggest Sen and Rin stealth ahead and *not engage anything*. And Dima seems to be the most Adult here, so Fae suggests he leads. But not like. Physically.
<.>
Dima agrees that this is probably the wisest call, especially since he'll be the one to hear from Liv if she sees anything.
Rin is already giving Sen the 'all right let's do this >:o' look.
<.>
Sen nodding and blowing a kiss.
Fae giving Dima a hand press before letting go so he can use his hands for possible fighting.
<.>
Rin catching it, setting it on their cheek! And blowing Sen a kiss of his own!
And Dima letting himself have the briefest Moment, little smile and a strong squeeze back before getting himself into search mode.
I would like to begin with Liv taking a sweep around the immediate area, looking for signs of movement or any disturbance/shape that seems out of place among the ruins.
[dm: Everything seems quiet; the stalls are mostly gone right now, and the rest of the area shows no sign of movement.]
Liv conveys this to Dima; Dima conveys it to the party, and requests that Rin move to the left, checking the area with the beds and fire, moving toward where I've placed Liv. He asks Sen to head to the right, aiming toward where i've temporarily placed Dima's marker.
[PERC
s: 9
r: 24
liv: 11]
<.>
Sen, preoccupied with thinking about Moloch now that he's away from Rin, doesn't notice anything unusual. Liv likewise can't seem to make out anything.
Rin doesn't find anything of note.
Sen and Rin move ahead and see nothing of note.
<.>
Dima asks Sen what the walls look like.
<.>
“Stone, asshole.”
<.>
Rin nearly reports that they've found some earthworms, but they remember that's not the point here.
And Dima rolls his eyes at Sen.
Next step: Dima, Fae, and Nerys are going to head over to where Rin is rn.
Dima's sending Rin to join Sen. Mudmen, keep muddin.
<.>
More moving, more moving, and—
Sen stops at the top of the stairs. And then sloooowly backs down when he sees a human male moving quietly between the tables with his sword drawn.
<.>
Rin is. Very tempted to just sneak in as close as they can.
But they're going to hold at the stairs right now. Back down two steps. Message Sen, [ Okay, fuck. ]
And to Dima, [ There's a guy up here. ]
<.>
[PERC
f: nat 20
d: 5
nerys: 12]
Fae reaches out and taps Dima's arm, then points straight ahead. Moving somewhat stealthily through the ruins are two more human males.
So. At the moment, everyone has the element of surprise on these three individuals.
<.>
Dima Messages Rin first, giving them a particular warning to noT back in that direction. He Messages Sen to give the other men's location.
Dima's going to tell Rin and Sen to hold positions outside the single man's sight. He'll ask them to report immediately if the man comes within ten feet of either of them. He asks Fae to keep an eye on the two men, and report whether they begin approach Rin.
And he's going to have Liv take a quick swoop southward, just in case.
[q: Does Liv catch a glimpse of those two? O.o
a: She sure does.]
She tells Dima; Dima lets everyone know and asks for reports on the movement of any of the first three men.
[note: The one facing Sen seems to be making an inspection of the tavern area.
Nerys is going to, against advice, slowly start to circle around Dima's left.]
Dima is absolutely feeling the tick of time and is fairly certain they're not going to BE in a better position to surprise at least these three.
So.
Dima is going to grab Fae's hand. He’ll Message Sen to watch Rin and move when they move. Messages Nerys to move when he sees Fae and Dima move. Messages Fae to tell him to move when Dima squeezes his hand. And now waits for response from Sen and for confirming look or response to Message from Fae before giving Rin the go.
<.>
Nerys Messages back to let him deal with the nearest one.
Nerys will also Message to hold attacking until the other one passes.
<.>
Dima does not promise anything, but does Message [ Noted ], lets Fae know, and will plan on directing his own attack elsewhere while keeping an Eye on Nerys just in case.
And!
Rin moves to where I've put them just theRe. And they're going to make an attack using the hand crossbow. Hits at 12 for 7 points, and they’ll use bonus action to Dodge.
Dima casts Burning Hands on a shithead who saves with a nat 20, so takes 5 points fire damage.
<.>
Nerys sneak attacks a shithead with a nat 20. He appears behind the thug and, with a hand over the man's mouth, thrusts his rapier clean through.
He's going to head for somewhere he can drop back into stealth now, which he manages to do with an 18.
Fae is going to just helpfully finish off that one guy, likewise with a rapier attack. And likewise with a crit! So that's 10 points of damage with the rapier. And he gets a second attack with off-hand dagger, which hits for 4 points. Fae is staying on him to avoid Awkward Opportunity Attacks.
Sen uses his shortbow, hits for 4 points, and he's going to duck behind the wall there.
<.>
Liv, still invisible, is going to stay in the area she's in so she can watch where those two fuckers get to.
…Those three fuckers get to.
<.>
And with that, everyone roll initiative.
[INIT
d: 8
r: 21
liv: 9
f/wolf: 21
s: 19
nerys: 12
thugs: 17
golems: 14]
<.>