Glees roleplaying game thread

The Game Room
121

Crumlin carefully blocks John reaching for the Clerical Scroll of Spirit Hammer.
“That’s of no use to you, sunshine!
You have a jolly nice choice between the Magic User Scrolls of ESP or Acid Arrow.
So please pick one.”

Crumlin turns to Dorric.
“I realise that things have got serious swiftly.
I was confident you could earn some money here and meet a couple of useful contacts (such as Sir Cuthbert and Jornilsson.)
Yes the World can be a dangerous place for an adventurer - but also a profitable one!
You already have a magic item each, which would take a farmhand a lifetime of labour to pay for. And you didn’t take a scratch earning it.
Another benefit is that you have learnt a lot about combat, tactics and working as a team. At this rate you will soon be ready to train further - and that means becoming tougher and getting better at your chosen profession.”

He smiles benevolently at his Company.
“Settle the remaining magic items and get a good night’s rest. I predict that by noon tomorrow you will be undefeated in the Arena…”

122

Dorric turns a bit red after Crumlin talks to him, and tries but fails to not look a bit sheepish, he had not realized he had spoken out loud. The last thing he needed was the Mayor thinking that a member of the guild was a complainer!

“Of, course Ms. Mayor. I was out of line. I am just…still a bit on edge from the last fight I suppose. Don’t listen to me. I am, of course, very grateful for the money and magical items this past opportunity afforded us, and am looking forward to surviving this next one so that we can earn even more. It all just…I am just not used to the fights I get into being so well organized. Don’t worry, I am game.”

123

Crumlin swiftly accepts Dorric’s apology and announces “I knew learning the proficiency of Read Lips would come in handy!
Oh, when you’ve got a bit of experience under your belts, see me if any of you want to learn that skill too…”

124

“Fine, then, I’ll take the Acid Arrow,” John says as he moves to take it.

125

Crumlin says to his Company "Thanks for agreeing that division of treasure - so to sum up we have:

  • Johannes gets new Plate Mail and Shield, both engraved with Versifal’s Horse Symbol
  • Quentin has a Potion of Strength
  • Dale can cast from his Scrolls of Cure Light Wounds and Spirit Hammer
  • Dorric can use his Potion of invisibility to help Sneak (i.e. just Moving Silently without having to Hide)
  • John can unleash a Scroll of Acid Arrow
  • Plixican gets Monster Summoning 1 earlier than expected

As I said, feel free to use those items tomorrow or not - as you see fit."

An Armourer now appears and makes sure Johannes is well-suited (heh) to his new Plate Mail.

Crumlin puts the remaining magic items back in the chest and signals his young hirelings to pick it up.
As they head out the tent, Crumlin reminds the party to discuss their tactics and get a good night’s rest so the spellcasters can reload their spells.
He adds “The Empire Soldiers have insisted (as is their right) on just one round of spellcasting before the combat begins.
Of course they don’t have any spellcasters - nor any metal armour or shields!”

126

The party take Crumlin’s advice and get a comfortable night’s rest.
In the morning, there is an air of determination as spells are loaded, weapons chosen and the party strategy reviewed.

Gladiators escort the adventurers to the same Arena entrance they used yesterday.
Dorric studies the walls of the abandoned building carefully, whilst Johannes, Quentin and Dale point to where they will hold the line.

Although it is still early, there is a large, noisy crowd.
Despite the background racket, Sir Cuthbert’s voice can be heard - repeating “This is a grudge match! Two groups enter – one group leaves!”
Then there is a fanfare and both the Hobbit Ringmaster and the crowd fall silent.

Jornilsson bellows “A late change - there is now time to cast two spells before the combat begins. Casters, you may act on my first signal. When I give the second signal, all may enter the Arena.
Gladiators – ready! Contestants – ready!”
He blows his horn as the first signal and instantly Plixican reads his Scroll of Monster Summoning 1.
The rest of the party back off slightly, to give the Monsters room to appear.
Just as well, as Plixican produces … four Ponies!

From the other end of the Arena, a chant is discernable “We are the Empire – we don’t need spells to beat you!”
Plxican doesn’t hesitate, but now casts Mage Armour on one Pony. (There is no apparent effect, but Plixican has previously assured the party that this Monster now has invisible, weightless Plate Mail.)

Jornilsson now sounds his horn for the second time; the Gladiators step aside to let the party enter and the combat has effectively begun.

Dorric sprints to the building and prepares to climb the walls. Meanwhile the other five members of the party hurry forward to set up their agreed formation.
Plixican uses two Ponies (on each flank) to reinforce the front line of Quentin, Johannes and Dale and commands the other two Monsters to stay back, ready to attack from behind.
The two casters take up their positions, protected by the walls and an impressive (if diverse!) front line.

From the sound of it, the Empire patrol are marching steadily along the path, numbering off as they go…

127

The crowd are clapping and cheering. There are clearly more supporters of ‘Crumlin’s Company’ than there are for the Empire Patrol.

Dorric tries to Climb Walls onto the roof and succeeds!
He produces his Sling and moves to the edge of the roof to survey the battlefield.

Quentin flourishes his two-handed sword and clearly impresses the crowd.
As the Empire Patrol come around the corner, they too look amazed by Quentin’s showmanship (and also puzzled by the ponies.)

The Senior Munifex shows his inexperience as he hesitates, giving no immediate orders. This gives John Smith time to cast Magic Missile at him, which assuredly hits for significant damage. Dorric also fires his Sling successfully.
Plixican sees a clear opportunity and mentally commands the two ponies behind the Patrol to attack – there is just enough room for both to attack the Senior Munifex (as he has not set up a battle formation.)
Both ponies succeed and the two blows from hooves knock the Senior Munifex down.
The three nearest Soldiers react instinctively, striking back at the ponies. One misses, but the other two combine to slay one pony.

With their leader dead, the Patrol’s discipline disappears. Most prepare to charge the party, while a couple remain to attack the nearby pony…

128

Two Soldiers team up to attack Johannes, one goes for Dale and one avoids Quentin but goes for the pony next to him.

The ‘deadly duo’ attacking Johannes fail to live up to their name and do no damage.
Johannes reminds the Company to keep their formation.
His counterstrike does penetrate the Soldier’s Leather, but for minimal damage.

Dale’s opponent swings wildly and misses.
Dale retaliates with a mighty Mace swing of his own and connects solidly.
Dorric chooses to help here and manages to hit with a Sling Bullet.
The pony next to Dale also has a go and its hoof thuds home.

The Soldier trying to avoid Quentin takes on a pony and kills it.
The pony’s last act is to kick out, but it does no damage.
Quentin does have the reach with his Two-handed Sword, but the blow misses.

Away from the front line two Soldiers are still engaged with a pony. One hits, one misses – and the pony survives.
It kicks back, leaving a mark.

So now there are four Soldiers (one nearly dead; two injured) facing Johannes, Quentin, Dale and a pony.
A short distance away, two Soldiers (one injured) face a pony on its last legs (so to speak.)
The Senior Munifex is gone.

129

The leaderless Empire Soldiers all unthinkingly attack the same opponents as last time.

The two Soldiers attacking Johannes continue to be foiled by his Armour and Protection.
Johannes calmly thrusts back, but also misses.

Dale’s opponent misses badly again.
Dale looks confident – and he does hit, felling the Soldier.
Dale’s pony kicks at the Soldier too. Although the hoof misses, the Soldier is already going down.
Seeing this, Dorric aims at the Soldier injured by Johannes and again hits with a Sling Bullet. (The Soldiers have not yet realised where these missiles are coming from.)

The Soldier nearest Quentin reluctantly attacks the Ranger. He cheers up considerably as he inflicts a nasty wound.
Quentin laughs off the damage, and delivers a pretty useful wound in return.
Plixican promptly tries to First Aid Quentin, but doesn’t manage it.

A short distance from the main combat, there are two Soldiers fighting a pony. They almost get in each other’s way and both miss.
The pony also fails to make contact.

So now there are three Soldiers (one fresh; two badly injured) facing Johannes, Quentin, Dale and the ‘Armoured’ pony.
A short distance away, two Soldiers (one slightly injured) face a pony just holding on.
The Senior Munifex is gone.

130

The crowd noise has died down somewhat – apart from a gasp when Quentin took a hard hit.
The Empire Soldiers seem almost mechanical now, just continuing with their actions.

The two Soldiers attacking the Paladin only make half-hearted swings.
Johannes is keeping an eye on Quentin, and his blow goes astray.
Dale turns to help Johannes (as does the ‘Armoured’ pony controlled by Plixican) but narrowly misses.
The pony outflanks the Soldier and strikes with its hoof inflicting damage.
Dorric aims at the most injured Soldier and again hits with a Sling Bullet. The Soldier crumples to the ground.

The Soldier facing Quentin snarls as he strikes again. He shouts “For the Empire!” as his blow lands.
Quentin replies “Just a scratch!” and his superb swing slaughters the Soldier.
(N.B. First Aid can only be attempted once per character per combat, so Plixican can’t First Aid Quentin again.)

The two Soldiers fighting a pony start to argue with each other, and only manage to make poor attacks.
They are 55% to hit.
They need 1-11 on a d20, but roll 12 + 16 = two fails.
The pony dodges, but this means its attack in turn fails.

Thus there is now a lone injured Soldier facing Johannes, Quentin (himself badly injured), Dale and the ‘Armoured’ pony.
As before, a short distance away, two Soldiers (one slightly injured) continue to face a badly injured pony.

131

Dorric looks at the soldiers and realizes that they have no chance of prevailing any longer. He hates these battles, they remind him of his childhood, and he wants to get out before there is more bloodshed. He shouts down at them from the rooftops.

“Soldiers, it is Dorric, of Crumlin’s Company. You are out manned, badly, and injured. Your leaders are dead, and soon so will you be. But the Company is merciful. We do not need to take this to the final, inevitable conclusion. Yield now and let us be done with this blood bath. Yield, sirs, and keep your lives.”

132

Johannes nods towards Dorric in admiration, and speaks as well:

“Yield. Please. There is no dishonour in doing so - you have acquitted yourselves with bravery and can report back to your superiors with your heads held high.”

133

John moves forward as well. “Besides, if you don’t yield, boys, you will die terribly. Think about it.”

134

Quentin sneers at the nearest soldier. “On your belly, then, if it’s a dog’s life you’re after, purchased by the blood of the men who were your masters.”

135

Since the crowd is relatively quiet, the Empire Soldiers clearly hear the party’s words.
Dorric tries to influence a Soldier using Salesmanship, but gets shrugged off.
Johannes makes a personal appeal and persuades one Soldier (fighting a Pony) to surrender.
John also makes an appeal from the heart, but the Soldier ignores it.
Quentin challenges the Soldier fighting Johannes to switch to him (Quentin) but the Soldier is obsessed with the Paladin.

The combat thus continues.

The Soldier attacking Johannes simply can’t get through the Plate Mail.
Johannes looks disappointed, but makes a decisive attack.
Dale attacks the same Soldier and also succeeds.
The pony outflanks the Soldier and again its hoof does damage.
The Soldier falls.

The only Soldier still fighting hits the pony, killing it.
As the pony falls dead, its final attack inflicts a wound.
Seeing there is only one Soldier still fighting, Dorric (no longer unnoticed) aims at the injured Soldier fighting the pony and his Sling Bullet thuds home.

The remaining Soldier walks carefully over to Johannes, and lies down in surrender.

This causes the other Empire Soldier to rush over to kill the ‘deserter’ – but before he can do so, the party finish him off.

The contest is over and the crowd acknowledge Crumlin’s Company as the winners!

136

Jornilsson enters the arena and (as before) instructs his Gladiators (armed with buckets) to collect donations for the winners from the audience.

Crumlin runs in to the Arena joyfully and asks Quentin if he needs healing.
He tells his Company “Well done again! Feel free to make a short speech if you like.”

Crumlin agrees with Dorric that the party need to sort out the surrendered Soldier. “He’ll probably face execution if he returns to the Empire, so perhaps you lot can suggest a change of career for him?”

He adds “I gather from your offers of surrender that not all of you like these performances to the death. Why not suggest alternatives to Jornilsson? As long as he and Sir Cuthbert make money, they’ll be happy.
One thought is that you avoided injury in your weapon training by using wooden, blunt and padded weapons…”

137

Johannes talks a good hard look at the surrendered soldier and says:

“You’ve been given a new life this day. Make the most of it. It’d be no small thing to become a farmer and create something to sustain your fellow man rather than oppressing and destroying him. But whatever life you choose, you’d be wise to do so far from he Empire’s reaches…”

138

Dorric walks over to the soldier, having climbed back down the wall, and adds on. “Agreed. It is amazingly possible to move on with your life. Trust me on this. Talk to Crumlin. You might find a life for yourself in his city.”

Dorric turns out to the crowd and steps forward to make another speech.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. By now you know who we are so I will keep the speech short. We are Crumlin’s Company and our men need no further introduction. We have fought hard and won twice. We thank you for the honor of fighting for you. Good day! " Dorric raises his hand and bows with a flourish at the crowd then spreads his arms to call for applause for the rest of the company.

139

The Soldier looks a bit dazed, but says to Johannes and Dorric “Thank you. My name is Julius. I’ve never been anything but a Soldier … but I’d like to try something peaceful.”

Crumlin comments “The Empire has never come further South than this, so moving to Sherwoodshire would be safe enough.
How about this guys: you already own his weapons and armour - so maybe we give him a little money and advice on starting afresh?
What trades can you guys tell him about?”

Meanwhile the crowd are still happy with the result and the buckets are filling up nicely.

Jornilsson leads the party out of the Arena in triumph and one of his Gladiators escorts Julius along behind.
The party, Crumlin, Jornilsson and Julius return to Crumlin’s tent and consider their next move…

140

Johannes turns to Julius and says:

“I was once a soldier of the Empire, just like you. But I saw it for what it was and tried to live my life a better way. All I can suggest is that you try to live a new life that’s peaceful - either grow crops as a farmer with a good wife at your side and strong children to do you proud, or find volunteer at a temple and learn how to heal while living a life of piety. Those are my suggestions, but the choice is yours.”