# SDMB RPG First Adventure: Panic in Genoa! **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 14, 2014, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765 "2014-01-14T05:19:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/81 "2014-01-21T19:33:53Z")
“Hear him, I should. And just remember that the same goes for me.” Having to fight zombies makes me really glad I spent the slots to build the _Smoke Bomb_ and _Stink Bomb_ discoveries. They’ll come in really useful. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/82 "2014-01-21T19:50:32Z")
I will ready my sling and send one bullet at the first creep that I see inside the building. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/83 "2014-01-21T20:14:59Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Having to fight zombies makes me really glad I spent the slots to build the _Smoke Bomb_ and _Stink Bomb_ discoveries. They’ll come in really useful. :rolleyes: Hah! The guy whose entire skillset is diplomacy, intimidation, and charm feels the same way! 😃 “Zombies. I _hate_ zombies.” ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/84 "2014-01-22T02:12:28Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > Yes! The formation which I have envisioned will work quite nicely! Thank you, Kobal, for anticipating my tactical genius! Old sergeant trick. Which makes you the butterbar, I suppose ? Nobody give that man a map and compass, or we’re doomed ! 😛 Have a care to shout _loud_, battle brothers, I can’t hear too well with this thing on, says Harald as he puts his helmet on. I figure we should have the ranged advantage on these poxed sods, so prudence dictates we fling whatever we’ve got at them before charging home. Messer Valente, sir, since you’re the money man, as it were, why don’t you stay back, eh ? We’ll see you through this, no problem, but don’t try and lead from the front. Stupid thing to do. Ask Jarl Aegirson, only you can’t, cause he caught a sword through his stupid throat. All right, everybody patched up and ready ? Let’s do this ! I touch myself[COLOR=Blue] for spell purposes, pull out a throwing axe and enter the hall.[/COLOR] ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2014, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/85 "2014-01-22T06:15:46Z")
OK! That’s sufficient for my purpose. I’ll update tomorrow, so if anyone’s got something additional, they’d better beat me to it. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/86 "2014-01-23T06:49:27Z")
The group forms up and makes its way through the ruined doors of the Doge’s palace, with Valente taking the lead. A few quick strokes from sword and ax finish the zombies inside the main hall, who were unprepared for the attack. A rug has been thrown into a fireplace, which is creating thick clouds of smoke throughout the hall. You can dimly make out a grand staircase with a smashed chandelier at the base leading upwards and to the left, and smaller doors leading into other rooms off the hallway. The entrance hall is too long to see to the end of, given how thick the smoke is. Valente gestures to a doorway to the right. “Quickly! This way!” Solsken’s best guess is that Valente is heading toward the library, and away from the elf with the sword. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/87 "2014-01-23T07:20:17Z")
I thought I told you to stay in the rear ! Didn’t I tell him ? I’m sure I told him. Messer Valente, stop exposing yourself ! And we need to go up, not right - there’s a survivor in the upper level. Whatever you’re looking for in the library isn’t worth a warrior’s life. Come on, up the stairs, we’ll come back later. And somebody douse that fire, it stinks like burnt peasant in here. Err… not that I’d know what that smells like. But if I did, I’m sure it’d smell like this. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/88 "2014-01-23T13:30:25Z")
“Concur, Harald. Go.” I grab my spear and prepare to follow my friend up the staircase. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/89 "2014-01-23T14:13:37Z")
I’d like a sense motive on Valente to see whether he’s being motivated by heroism or greed. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/90 "2014-01-23T17:35:06Z")
“So once again, Taye is proven correct. Thirty seconds of conversation may have prevented this, but rushing heedless into a burning building works just as well.” Note this is pc sarcasm not a complaint about the decision. “Friend Valente, perhaps you could tell us why we should head this way? I have met many of your northern citizens and agree the books are probably worth more, but abandoning yon elf does appear unseemly.” While I am speaking to Valente I keep my attention on the hallway where the elf is fighting. Can I try Diplomacy on Valente again? ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/91 "2014-01-23T17:43:07Z")
“Press on towards the elf, friends, we can return here soon enough!”\* Glares at Valente. If he’s got reason for the detour he’d best make it known quickly.\* ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2014, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/92 "2014-01-23T19:09:19Z")
If it looks like there are enough enemies nearby that we’re about to need fire support, Zachary will pop his _bomber’s eye_ extract, but not before, as it has a mighty three-minute duration - fine for a protracted fight, but too short for while we’re wandering around and searching for trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/93 "2014-01-24T00:38:07Z")
If the others are dithering over which way to go, I look around for a poker or something that I could use to drag the carpet out of the fireplace. I’ll abandon the effort if they figure out which way we’re going. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/94 "2014-01-24T01:24:28Z")
I assume we are all rushing toward the elf now, maintaining the agreed upon formation. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/95 "2014-01-24T01:57:55Z")
I would think so until the DM states something that cause a change. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/96 "2014-01-24T04:12:18Z")
Well, to hell with the carpet, then. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/97 "2014-01-24T04:29:28Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Well, to hell with the carpet, then. Perhaps Giacomo could do any Appraise on the carpet. Aren’t some tapestries valuable? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/98 "2014-01-24T04:33:37Z")
Joseph will be going up the stairs with the rest of the group unless his sense motive result gives him a good reason to follow Valente. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/99 "2014-01-24T05:22:18Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > I’d like a sense motive on Valente to see whether he’s being motivated by heroism or greed. > [@G0sp3l](#): > > “So once again, Taye is proven correct. Thirty seconds of conversation may have prevented this, but rushing heedless into a burning building works just as well.” Note this is pc sarcasm not a complaint about the decision. > > “Friend Valente, perhaps you could tell us why we should head this way? I have met many of your northern citizens and agree the books are probably worth more, but abandoning yon elf does appear unseemly.” While I am speaking to Valente I keep my attention on the hallway where the elf is fighting. Can I try Diplomacy on Valente again? Valente halts. “He’s not in the library? At this time of day? How can you know that?” I’m going to presume the party tells him. Valente nods. “We’ll try his bedroom first.” The group rushes up the stairs, Valente refusing to take a place at the rear of the party. He clearly isn’t the type to lead from behind. At the top of the stairs, a large salon, lined with mirrors and covered in small tables, light chairs, and glasses of dark wine and plates of bread and cheese on the tables. It looks almost as though an informal party or reception had been in progress when it was violently interrupted. In the rear of the room, stationed around a large oak door, three soldiers stand. They’re all much larger than average, as the Doge’s personal guard is known to be, and they’re in armor, carrying wicked-looking maces. They stare blankly into the distance, with cloudy eyes and vacant expressions. You can’t see much exposed skin, since they’re all wearing the livery of the Doge’s guard and plate armor, but one has a deep gash in his cheek that doesn’t seem to be bleeding. The guards haven’t noticed you yet; the haze of smoke in the air makes vision difficult and the shouts of citizens in the streets have masked the sound of your approach. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2014, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765/100 "2014-01-24T13:31:52Z")
“Let’s get them away from the door,” says Joseph, _sotto voce,_. “If it’s locked, I imagine one of you clever lads can move around behind and get to work on that particular problem.” Joseph will cast grease on the floor underneath the guards as soon as they’ve moved a bit away from the door so as to not make the party’s progress through the palazzo more difficult. Here’s hoping that zombies in plate armor have poor reflex saves! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-rpg-first-adventure-panic-in-genoa/678765.md?page=6)