Big Trouble In Little Punjar — (RAPID URBAN FUNNEL PbP)

[GnomeBoy]

...missed the fact that our gang (we ARE kinda a gang, yes?) instigated the initial brawl at the Favela. I thought we just walked into a riot outside the Taphouse, lol. Time to turn up the heat a bit!

lol Actually, you were challenged to leave and it erupted. The Lords of Deepwater gang were the instigators, very much looking for a fight, down to prove their strength to any and all around in the face of their imminent patron's (temporary) "demise".

[GnomeBoy]

So plying their trade, Zeppo is grabbed by a woman in some kind of Mata Hari outfit and more or less shoved into a room. Zeppo can escape if he wishes, but if he hesitates, he's in the room.

A similar thing happens with Ivan, as two women flank him and escort him a short way down the walkway...

A strapping young man takes Lala's hand and tries to lead her upstairs, while the two women in the courtyard stroll over to Gunnar and that crowd, the one that had been talking to Tommy zeroing in on him again.

This'd be one way to get up stairs and see what might be up in those unattended rooms...

[ProdigalWilliam]

Tommy and Lala are quick to be led on by their one-use suitors. Travis, somewhat out of bitterness because he hasn't been chosen, measures up the employees. He looks at the strapping young lad leading Lala to a room. He takes in the body type of the young man. Is he built in a softly-toned pleasing way or more like a farm hand (which might suggest some sort of martial training)?

(ooc: He might make an action before Lala and Tommy are out of sight based on this)

(more ooc: nothing from Jeff in a couple of days. I hope he's OK with where we're taking this. I do understand the time crunch to keep the flow of the story going.)

[GnomeBoy]

Oh, these people are fit.

First impressions were they are all tending to youth, mostly in their 20s, a few in their 30s and maybe a couple of them in their 40s... The body-types are all over the map.

But with time to observe -- yeah, in contemporary terms, they all work out. Even those carrying more weight look fit. These people could all run a marathon and not damage themselves. A few of them are notably muscular, seeming to be merely a part of the mix of body types, not body-builders, per se, but probably stronger than your average gongfarmer, if you take my meaning. Put another way, these folks didn't simply roll 3d6 in order. They've been *selected*...

[ProdigalWilliam]

(ooc: Meaning fully grasped. Yeah, we need to make a move now or we're about to be taken on one by one. I say we corner the manager and try to use her as a hostage. What do you say, Fenris and Jeff?)

[jeff c]

(Sorry busy coupla days.)
Ivan and Zeppo feel the tension like a noose being dropped around their throat. "Uh uh on - a- second thought," Zeppo starts, throwing off the woman's hands," I believe we're late for an uh engagement or haha uh the engagement that is." He gives meaningful eyes at Ivan, and they both head for the first floor and hopefully toward the exit.

Flea walks up to the guy trying to take Lala away. "Enough! As the brother of the bride I will not see my sister's honor besmirched in this place! I take her now to preserve what purity she has left!" He has his hand in his rags on the dagger and should the man resist, Flea will stab at him.

[ProdigalWilliam]

...missed the fact that our gang (we ARE kinda a gang, yes?) instigated the initial brawl at the Favela. I thought we just walked into a riot outside the Taphouse, lol. Time to turn up the heat a bit!

lol Actually, you were challenged to leave and it erupted. The Lords of Deepwater gang were the instigators, very much looking for a fight, down to prove their strength to any and all around in the face of their imminent patron's (temporary) "demise".

(ooc: Just noticed this. I had no idea that we had an option to flee that first encounter without any scuffling. It might be because I was also itching for a fight, but initiative rolls give me a "But thou must (fight)!" feeling that maybe they shouldn't.)

[jeff c]

I should mention that Flea is making a big show of things. Hopefully a suitable distraction for the rest of the gang.

[ProdigalWilliam]

(Waiting for Fenris to respond and then I say we make a move on that room with the recognized thug and manager. The rest of the party takes some sort of defensive circle in whatever area they are in, while slowly making their way to the manager. Taking the manager hostage, if successful and the employees are held to the hostage situation, the party should threaten hostile action if anyone calls for help or runs outside.)

[jeff c]

(Agreed, William)

I'd like to amend that Zeppo and Flea, if able to descend back to the first floor, will not flee but reading the group body language will begin to circle and help out if anyone makes a move for the manager.

[Fenris Ulfhamr]

ooc: I was actually gonna suggest now we've tipped our hand about Molly in front of that goon we can't let him leave, and that's the least of it. I say we don't let ourselves get led anywhere, especially separately, until that particular caution has been communicated. Gunnar will try to get into the courtyard to warn Brun, Travis, and the others out of earshot, unwilling to leave sight of that doorway lest the goon escape. (how many employees do we see, btw?)

Kylie get's nervous and clings to Lacey

[ProdigalWilliam]

I think we lose our shot if we go out into the courtyard, if we can even get out there. I think we have a 2-1 advantage on the room with the manager and the thug. The hope is that gives us the leverage we need to get a look at whether Other Molly is here. I'm gambling on the idea of Travis having slain two of the thug's comrades will make him sufficiently intimidating.

[GnomeBoy]

The noose analogy is a good one.

The mood has shifted. It's like one of those zombie movies where the zombies all move in slow motion, yet somehow remain inescapable. These folks have been inching in on all of you, somewhat figuratively, somewhat literally, closing the gap between you just wandering in and you leaving before spending your cash.

But with the shouting and all, the mood turns ice cold. There is a moment where no one is quite sure what's just happened.

Ivan and Zeppo are coming back down the stairs.

Flea is making a stink in the courtyard.

Gunnar, Travis and that group are not far from the door to the office. They could quickly huddle and exchange words.

In all of this, Kylie has been nearly universally ignored by the employees of the Cloister. Just sayin'.

The so-called 'goon' from the back of the office is moving for the first time, coming out from behind that table. He pockets the ring of keys while doing so...


Now, I thought I had pointed out how many employees there are, but there was one post I had to reconstruct, because my log-in timed out and it didn't save, so maybe it got lost and I didn't get it back in.

There are 20 employees, most of whom are on the upper levels. Plus one guy on the stairs to the front, the Matron and the 'goon'. The guy on the stairs looks capable in a fight, probably security of some kind for the place. There very well may be a counterpart on the other stairwell at the back of the building.

So 20 + 2 + 1 + 1, that's 24 in total.

[ProdigalWilliam]

I'm jumping on the assumption that Gunnar mentions the presence of the goon to Brun and Travis in that huddle. Travis knows this is the time to make a move or it's going to get entirely out of hand. He quickly outlines the plan to make hostages of the goon and the manager.

If anyone has detected the keys being pocketed, we'll ask that those and any weapons be surrendered as soon as we have control of the situation. Travis is ready to make a menacing speech holding the weapon that claimed two of the goon's pals. The group in the main area will be ready for the guard-ish looking man in that area, possibly making a move to disarm him. We'll also be watching his eyes and head to see if he is telegraphing where other armed assailants might be hiding. Are we all in with this plan?

Kylie could get in a beneficial position behind the other guard or maybe he's too far on the stairs at this point or maybe something like a dice shifted attack on him? I'm trying to brainstorm how we can use her temporary advantage.

[Fenris Ulfhamr]

Welp, seems like all bets are about off!
In light of Flea's distraction, Gunnar and Brun rush the goon and the matron respectively with intent to subdue, getting deadly with staff only if need be. Kylie will try to move to a tactical spot preferring to fight the nearest threat at range.

Group init=3 (nat 1, lol) Gunnar:att=18, dmg=7 att=(1d16+1)=14, dmg=9 att=20(18+2), dmg=1 I rolled d16 for Brun trying to attack the matron non-lethally with a longsword-is this right?

[ProdigalWilliam]

Haha, so long finesse. We are bar hooligans, right?

16+1=17 initiative roll if we didn't get surprise (Fenris surprised me, so haha, maybe?).

[Fenris Ulfhamr]

Haha, so long finesse. We are bar hooligans, right?

16+1=17 initiative roll if we didn't get surprise (Fenris surprised me, so haha, maybe?).

Sorry! My last couple posts have been editted on the fly as other folks were posting simultaneously! Hope this works!

[ProdigalWilliam]

I think I might have been stretching how believably we'd be able to coordinate as a fighting force anyway, so I don't mind (and I think it's pretty hilarious). I'll wait for gnomeboy's adjudication. Also, I was hinting at firing off a shot with Kylie at that security guard on the stairs. If I'm reading what our GM was saying correctly, the guard should not see it coming.

[jeff c]

Init roll=3

Zeppo and Ivan rush from the stairs to defend their gang mates attacking the manager etc. They strike anyone who threatens those mates or who impedes them from reaching that destination.
Zeppo attack roll: to hit 12, 3 dmg with dagger
Ivan attack roll: to hit (11-1) 10, 1-1 dmg is still 1 right? with club

Since we're so low in the initiative count, I think Flea might be waiting to see what's happening (if he survives)

[Fenris Ulfhamr]

In all of this, Kylie has been nearly universally ignored by the employees of the Cloister. Just sayin'.

Erm...just to clear up any potential...eww, Little Kylie is not a kid, but uses her childlike appearance to play people (which apparently worked!) I edited my original rushed character descriptions to add a bit.

[GnomeBoy]

There was a string of attacks for Gunnar and his group, or something? I'm not 100% sure what that is, but I took it as grabbing the Matron and the goon, applied below. If I'm wrong, we can re-jigger things as needed.


I'm messing with your initiatives, since it's easier in this circumstance to have done initiative by 'cluster of zeroes' rather than by individual player, so:

Bad Guys Init = 9

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The group rushing the matron and the goon have the highest initiative.

If I have it rightly, they rush the room, grab the matron, and grab the goon. They are both savvy enough to know this is turning into something violent, but you have the drop on them. The Matron is grabbed -- whoever is doing that needs to give me a strength roll (1d20+Str mod).

Someone grabs the goon, I also need a Str check there.

In either of those cases, helpers add a base of one to the roll. If they succeed on an Agility check vs. DC 12, they add an additional 1 to the Str check.

If you don't get a good grip on these folks, there's a chance they could slip out on their action and strike at you. Lock them down, and they're helpless.

.

The guard on the front stairs is also savvy enough to see the writing on the wall, and is ready as Zeppo and Ivan descend. But evidently, his boredom left him in a bad place for an attack (rolled a 4).

The two from the Iron Boot give him a serious thrashing as they flee past him!
(yes, 1-1 is still 1.)

.

No one has seen the guard on the back stairs, but the sounds of feet on steps confirms he is there. Still out of sight, for the moment.

.

Kylie can just get a shot off at the front stairs guard. He's 20 feet away, got a bit of cover, but she's got surprise on her side. She can roll a d24, but the cover makes it at -2. Mind you, both a natural 20 and a natural 24 will be a critical hit.

The rest of the group in the courtyard can act as they wish. There are three employees there...

But all of the employees are just now catching on to what's happening, and shifting gears. They will all act next round.


Did I miss anyone/anything?

[ProdigalWilliam]

We could use those attack rolls from Fenris as grappling checks?

Tommy shouts, "Give 'em the Boot!" He rushes to help pin the goon and adds +2 to the check on the goon with an agi check = 17.

Travis thrusts his pitchfork up close to the Matron's face, "Everyone hold it or your Matron gets a taste of my pitchfork!"

Lala readies a stone in her sling for the guard approaching from the back or anyone who might approach in the courtyard. "Don't give us a reason to destroy your lovely faces!"

[Fenris Ulfhamr]

Group init=3 (nat 1, lol) Gunnar:att=18, dmg=7 att=(1d16+1)=14, dmg=9 att=20(18+2), dmg=1 I rolled d16 for Brun trying to attack the matron non-lethally with a longsword-is this right?

I'm happy to reroll everything if you like, but originally Gunnar was to club the goon (his crew killed Ty!), Brun was to subdue the matron (with the flat of his sword, so I rolled -1d) and Kylie was to sling whomever seemed threatening. Grabbing makes more sense, so:
If Gunnar grabs the goon: Str(15+2)=17
If Brun grabs the matron: Str(7+1)=8
If you want a reroll from Kylie: att(1d24+2-2)=18, dmg=2
Use whichever action/roll set you see fit, GB!

"Give 'em the Boot!"

I dig the battlecry! Can we PLEASE be the Iron Freebooters!?

[ProdigalWilliam]

Also, Gnomeboy, does shifting gears mean some of the other employees are drawing weapons or moving in as if to attack? If yes, Lala will change her move and aim for one of them to "make an example." To hit 10+1=11 and 1 damage. If she misses she'll act as if the shot was purposefully off (so as to not damage the goods). Her taunt will remain the same.

Should we worry that the other guard is moving toward Other Molly and running off with her? Does it sound like one or more set of footsteps on the back stair?

[GnomeBoy]

We could use those attack rolls from Fenris as grappling checks?

lol Yes. I just took it as "whatever they are, they're a good set of rolls" and made the most sense I could out of it, given the plan that was sketched out.

Now I can see clearly that they were attack rolls, without the names attached. My bad. Sorry about that

.
Is Lala aiming for someone in the courtyard, or higher up? Yes, they are coming around to what's happening and look ready to brawl. They aren't drawing any obvious weapons at the moment -- but we'll get to that once this round is over...

.
So either way, the goon is completely grabbed and smacked around by Gunnar, who sends him to near-unconsciousness. The Matron is not grabbed as securely as the goon, but still firmly, and with a demon pitchfork in her face, she's not likely to be doing much that isn't suicidal.

Kylie pegs the guy on the front stairs, the only other overt threat visible, and he crumples after the beating Zeppo and Ivan gave his as they passed him.

I think someone had a speech they were going to make, and everyone that hasn't acted is more or less just "on guard" standing by for trouble.

We're going to re-roll initiative for Round Two, so those folks (zeroes) that haven't acted will roll a d24 for Initiative for that round.