Kintobor

Zaria took in a deep breath. She wasn't particularly pleased with needing to take such a route to get on the train, but she was moving forward. She nodded to the attendant and stepped out of the line with the rest of the group. "Well, shall we head to the train, then?"

MM Note: Right, the rats have "claws" that they'll be attacking with. Also, I forgot to add drops! Thank you, Duvors.

First combat in the new system, LET'S GOOOOOO!!!

Mr Grumble squints at the part, eyeing them up and down warily. "I was given a most sacred duty to keep these keys safe. Hmm... I don't know. I can most definitely accompany you to the end of the hall and unlock the door to the garbage chute room, but letting you have the keys..." "Well, there should be stairs around here somewhere. It makes no sense to not have stairs. I'll take a look around and see if I can find some while you three head down the chute. I also know the chute room has some rope you can use to ensure that you can climb back up the chute once you're finished down there." Mr. Grumble looks behind the party, frowning and looking concerned. "Tsk. Company. Behind us." As the heroes turn around, a small group of large, furry rats glare at them with their beady red eyes, each standing on its hind legs. Each is almost the size of a house cat, and their heads tilt to better look the party over. Not a peep comes from them, not until they charge the party! PREPARE FOR BATTLE! A B C D E 1 2 3 4 5 Initiative Roll: Enson: Two Success (5,5) Valesia: Two Successes (5,5) Aysu: Two Failures (1,1) The Enemies: Unusually Large Rat A (B2) Vitality: 4/4 Velocity: 2 Strength: 1 Skill: 1 Smarts: 1 Spirit: 1/1 Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Nature 1 Inventory: Claws (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon) Spells: Sickening Radiance Drops: 10 Credits Unusually Large Rat B (C2) Vitality: 4/4 Velocity: 2 Strength: 1 Strength: 1 Skill: 1 Smarts: 1 Spirit: 1/1 Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Nature 1 Inventory: Claws (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon) Spells: Sickening Radiance Drops: Plasma Potion Unusually Large Rat C (D2) Vitality: 4/4 Velocity: 2 Strength: 1 Skill: 1 Smarts: 1 Spirit: 1/1 Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Nature 1 Inventory: Claws (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon) Spells: Sickening Radiance Drops: 5 Credits MM Note: For the sake of this combat, the Rat's proficiency for Sickening Radiance is Nature instead of the usual proficiencies needed to cast the spell. The Party Ensonvilterayquis (Enson) 60 cycles old male Quo'ri Vitality: 5/5 Velocity: 2 Strength: 1 Skill: 2 Smarts: 2 Spirit: 2 Proficiencies: Insight 1, Medicine 1, Melee Weapons 1, Religion 2 Spells: Healing Light, Purging Font Credits: 10 Equipment: Void Star Hammer (+1 Melee Elemental) Inventory: Nanite Elixir 2x, Plasma Potion 2x Valesia (Waterbrick Down)110 Year Old Female CladrasithCharacter Points: 0/10 Vitality: 5/5Velocity: 2Strength: 1Skill: 2Smarts: 1Spirit: 3/3Proficiencies: Insight 1, Medicine 1, Nature 2Known Spells: Elemental Evocation, Healing Light, Mystic Binding, Photonic ManipulationCredits: 0Equipment: Holo-scroll, Chef's Kit (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon) Inventory: Ætherbrew, Essence of Precaution Aysu Kundakçı (Peppermint_M) 22 Rotations Old, Female? Adopted Human Character Points: 0/10 Vitality: 6/6 Velocity: 2 Strength: 2 Skill: 3 Smarts: 1 Spirit: 1 Proficiencies: Long Range Weapons 2, Nature 1, Survival 1 Spell: Enhanced Vision Credits: 10 Equipment: Environment Safe Ammunition "ESA" Rifle (Calibrated Long Range, kinetic), Farsight Goggles Inventory: Please determine turn order! MM Note: First combat in the new system! I'm more than certain I will make a few mistakes, so please bare with me. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! You guys have taken the initiative, and get to act before your enemies this round. Just like in Heroica 1.0, to my understanding, you will need to provide an order in which your PCs act, but you have much more freedom to do stuff, and far fewer numbers to crunch, so feel free to talk and come up with a battle plan!

"I'm not too terribly hungry." Mr. Grumble replies, shrugging at the offer. "Honestly, I'm more parched than anything else. Haven't been able to use my hands to grab at my flask to quench my drying throat." He reaches into his coat's pocket and draws out a silver flask. He uncorks it and drinks heartily. "Peanut brittle? Mmm... I wouldn't mind a little bit of that, if you still got any. As for the place's layout, so long as your not going through any doors, there's only the one corridor, and it goes from here, down and around to the one elevator, and then directly to the garbage chute at the other end. However, entrance into the chute room locked. Thankfully, I do have the keys for that particular lock. From what I understand this basement is intentionally rather maze like, and there's a bunch of rooms that branch off into various facilities down here. The building was originally a hotel, and from what I can gather it's architect was quite the eccentric. The Grand Ebria Hotel it was called. Would've loved to concierge this place in it's golden days."

I was hoping it was going to be a clip of that scene!

"Absolutely correct." Mr. Grumble replies in a deep, raspy, yet refined voice. "As the concierge, it is my duty to ensure that this establishment's comfort is the best it possibly can be, so when I noticed the telltale signs of rodents, I came down here to investigate further on my own accord. Little did I know the rats were smart enough to lay a trap and wedge me between the wall and the bookcase." "That's the peculiar thing: rats aren't this smart, at least no rat I'm aware of. There definitely is something... I don't know... orchestrating the rats? I've heard the rats patrol the basement in groups, their little clawed feet scampering about. I'm not particularly inclined to knowledge regarding the natural world, so I'm not sure what would cause such a thing. Even that one time I worked as a camp counsellor for a children's summer camp, my goal was teaching children how to safely operate a kayak, not teach them every single organism living in Lake Tichimungo." Mr. Grumble exhales sharply, annoyed yet seemingly over the issue. "That is quite alright. Apology accepted. I have been trapped down her for a number of days now. I worry the other staff might think of me as some sort of layabout, when that could not be further from the truth! Yes, I do enjoy my drink, but my life's work is ensuring that every guest's needs are not only met, but exceeded!" Mr. Grumble takes his fez off his head and places it to his chest in respect. "I have worked great cruise liners as they propel across the stars, serviced some of the finest hotels in Cosmopoli; from the Carlson, to the Wesker, to the Skiatari! I've organized a kids summer camp once or twice, and every time it has been for the comfort and safety of the patrons. For where would I, Mr. Grumble, concierge and servant to all, be without my patrons?" He puts his fez back on his head. "Working some other job, probably, toiling away without aim."

Typing 0005 into the input device, a musical jingle plays out after Aysu presses the enter key. The safe opens, revealing it's contents of an Essence of Glibness (Consumable, Makes the next Deception, Intimidation, Performance, or Persuasion Proficiency Check Lucky.) Removing the remaining seven books, Enson and Valesia work together to lift the cabinet off of the man trapped beneath it. After pushing it up and aside, the figure grabs his fez, places it promptly on his bald, wrinkly head, and turns around to the party. The party isn't quite sure what species he is, but he smiles at them with a toothy smile as he stands up. "Many thanks, many thanks. I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Mr. Grumble. I am the concierge of this hotel turned mercenary hall. Now then, what can I do for you, now that I am free from that tormenting position I was in?"

As Enson and Valesia look around the bookshelf, they notice a figure stuck behind the bookshelf, his bright yellow suit dusty and his fez lopsided on the floor. "Yes, there is something you can do to help me, can you get this person out from underneath me!" The figure sarcastically barks at the party before jeering in pain. "My aching toes, ack!" Perception Check: (DC: 2) 5,5,3 2 Successes, One Failure Looking through the cabinet, Aysu finds the shelves filled with old, aged books on a variety of subjects, most of them dated by a hundred years: old cook books, outdated star maps, early studies into aetherdiving. However, one sticks out: it's spine doesn't seem worn in a way similar to the others. Taking it out of the cabinet, Asyu opens it to reveal a small, hidden safe inside the false book. The lock appears to be electronic in nature, needing a number to be inputted between 0000 and 9999. A slip of paper is tucked into the false book, between the safe and the front cover.

Enson picks up the broom, and, with the rest of the party, heads down right, into the direction of the noise. Janitor's Broom (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon, breaks after a successful hit) Rounding the corner, the heroes pass a number of doors as they make their way through the basement until they reach the end of the hall, and the seeming source of the noise. A large cabinet filled with with old physical tomes leans against the wall, as other junk piles around it, covered in a layer of dust. The clatter of pipes overhead echoes throughout the basement. "OoooOOOoooh... my tooOOOOooooOOOes..."

Zaria tapped her fingers on the kiosk desk, agitated and annoyed. "Well then, clearly there has been some sort of mistake. My friends and I were the intended recipients of those tickets. Could you tell me who took them and where they went?" Zaria doubted the attendant was fully to blame, but someone was up to mischief, and would be dealt with.

Zaria stepped forward, smiling. "Greetings. We have three tickets reserved for us under the name Irgonstead, Leopold Irgonstead."

Athletics Check (DC: 2): 4 Success, 5 Failures (Enson: 4,3,6 Aysu: 1,2,3 Valesia: 1,4,6) With a mighty heave, the adventurers pull on the metal door. Although individually they may have difficulty, together the group manages to pry open the door. The basement of the hotel is cluttered and crammed with labelled boxes and old furniture. The lighting is dim and the air cool and drafty. Directly in front of them, a toppled over broom, a bottle and glass, and notepad sit in the quiet, the only other thing the heroes capable of hearing is a low hum, most likely from a nearby generator. The heroes footsteps echo through the corridor, which heads in two directions: left and right. "Oooooooooh..." A low, eerie groan echoes from the heroes right. Suddenly, the boxes shuffle. "Squeak?" A large rat pokes its head out of a box. Upon noticing the party, it darts left, down the hall and into the shadows.

I am backing up my "gun show" comment with my plus one to Athletics.

Zaria looked over to Soren and grinned, giving a short laugh. "Well, it's a good thing we're going to the gun show." Zaria flexed her right bicep and gave it a kiss before continuing to laugh. "Let's hope we do not cross that road, but if we do, I will have your back, Soren."

Looking up, Valesia can see an access hatch on the roof of the elevator. It is within reach. MM Note: I'm in the process of prepping the next section of the mission. Should be up later tonight. I'll be rolling the athletics check under the assumption that Valesia will be assisting in pulling open the door.

Looking the doors over, Enson deduces that the doors could be levered open, or even opened through one's strength alone. It would take effort to do so, but it was a feasible solution to the group's predicament.

Reminds me of this comic :

Zaria clasped her hands and continued to wait in line. She wasn't entirely sure what to make of the information she overheard from the elf in front of her, but she figured it might be worth something later.

Valesia takes a moment to read over the bulletin board. While most of the flyers were old and yellowing with age, a few newer ones stood out. The elevator comes to a sudden stop, as the lights flicker and a loud creaking noise echoes through the elevator. The doors do not open, and sparks shoot from a maintenance box below the panel lined with buttons. By all accounts, the party has reached the basement, as the display showing which floor their own reveals that they've made it to their destination. The Ding heard when the elevator reached the ground floor chimes, as the creaking stops. The party will need to find a way out of the elevator. The Party Ensonvilterayquis (Enson) 60 cycles old male Quo'ri Vitality: 5 Velocity: 2 Strength: 1 Skill: 2 Smarts: 2 Spirit: 2 Proficiencies: Insight 1, Medicine 1, Melee Weapons 1, Religion 2 Spells: Healing Light, Purging Font Credits: 10 Equipment: Void Star Hammer (+1 Melee Elemental) Inventory: Nanite Elixir 2x, Plasma Potion 2x Valesia (Waterbrick Down)110 Year Old Female CladrasithCharacter Points: 0/10 Vitality: 5/5Velocity: 2Strength: 1Skill: 2Smarts: 1Spirit: 3/3Proficiencies: Insight 1, Medicine 1, Nature 2Known Spells: Elemental Evocation, Healing Light, Mystic Binding, Photonic ManipulationCredits: 0Equipment: Holo-scroll, Chef's Kit (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon) Inventory: Ætherbrew, Essence of Precaution Aysu Kundakçı (Peppermint_M) 22 Rotations Old, Female? Adopted Human Character Points: 0/10 Vitality: 6/6 Velocity: 2 Strength: 2 Skill: 3 Smarts: 1 Spirit: 1 Proficiencies: Long Range Weapons 2, Nature 1, Survival 1 Spell: Enhanced Vision Credits: 10 Equipment: Environment Safe Ammunition "ESA" Rifle (Calibrated Long Range, kinetic), Farsight Goggles Inventory:

Zaria was enthralled by the sights of Parous, what little she managed to see. She had seen the splendours of her home planet, but this was something entirely new, something different. She spoke a soft prayer in a hushed voice to Varuth as she made her way with the rest of her group to the train station's platform, marvelling at the engine. "Alright, I guess we wait in line and get our tickets?" Zaria asked. She wasn't used to public transport, her feet tended to get her most places. She waits in line, keeping quiet and trying to listen to the conversations around her.

"Neat! Alright, follow me, I'll lead you three to the elevator." Rachel leads the party out of the maintenance office and through the hotel's interior. There was a coziness to the place, even if it was clear it needed some cleaning up. It didn't take long for Rachel to stop at one of the elevators and push the worn, metal call button. A roar of mechanical sound whirred as the elevator took an arduous amount of time to reach the party. Rachel takes out a small holo tablet and begins to jot something down with a stylus, mumbling as she does so. Eventually the elevator reached the ground floor, it's doors opening with a Ding! "Going to have to take a note of that... Well, this is where I leave you for you now. The basement is... well, you'll see." Rachel stepped out of the way to let the party in, a bulletin board placed at the back, and a long control panel with number buttons on the opposite wall, by the doors. A few of the buttons had been taped over, with the words OUT OF ORDER jotted down in black ink on the material. Rachel reached into the elevator and pushed a button labelled BF. "Good luck!" The doors to the elevator close as Rachel waves at the party. As they slowly descend towards the basement, music begins to fill the void in the elevator.

"Well, the Scrapper's Guild has an interest in potential scrap in garbage, so they made a deal with the station's sanitation crew to separate the potentially valuable scrap from the organic waste and the plain old junk. It's a pretty neat process, really. All the bio-organic waste gets turned into fertilizer, and the garbage gets shipped off station. The scrap is then sorted through and salvaged by the Scrapper's Guild. Now, this system and the sewage system aren't linked, so you at least don't have to worry about that."

"Bait? Uh..." Rachel looks around her office. "I mean, feel free to take some leftovers if you feel like they'd help lure rats out." "Good question! I've spoken with the Scrappers Guild, as well as the station's Sanitation crew, and they both told me that the station's garbage disposal systems are not running today, so you guys should be safe from any crushers or flame throwers." Rachel nods her head reassuringly.

"Well, yeah, these rats are rather aggressive. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what might cause such behaviour, but maybe someone in your group might? The worrying thing about all this is the weird noises coming from the basement. It sounds like something big is down there, bigger than a standard rat at least."