[Game Thread] Act I - Caught In A Briar Patch

[TheMystic]

Mr Fletcher however, has no such scruples. As he stands he hesitates, adding one last thing "Of course, anything you know could assist in a federal investigation." He lays a little more emphasis on those last words than he had intended, making them seem forceful instead of leading.

OOC Diplomacy check is 9

[kdtompos]

Edward and Jeremiah The older gentleman scrunches up his face as he considers sharing more, tilting his head a bit to the right as he does so. While Edward wasn't very convincing with this last push, it seems the man needed little more than a push anyway (Gotta love gossipy towns, eh?), as the man eventually relents. "Well now, I don't want to get the man in trouble, but seeing as you already seem to be eyein' him you probably ought to know. Mr. Torrel is pretty sure she saw that Kinny a few nights ago, carrying what he said were boxes of hardware. Now Mr. Torrel is a right mess himself, and he's seen more than a few things that I'm not so quick to believe. But with y'all lookin' Kinny's way... like I said... you probably ought to know." No longer as focused on the individual mail boxes, Jeremiah notices the billboard posted up next to the window where Edward and the attendant are speaking. There's an advert concerning a magician coming into Hearthsburg; a small sheet of paper advertising what seems to be a local painter fishing for more opportunities; and a very formal notice containing rather strong language, stressing the need for parents to keep tabs on their children and out of Ms. Girt's yard. Amidst all of that is a wanted notice for the death of "Old Sweeny", with an artist's rendering of what appears to be a mangy and haggard feline with what seems to be a piston for a leg, exposed metallic ribbing, and a crooked tail expelling exhaust. While you question the authenticity of it, you notice that Seddyn Rackett is apparently offering 200 bucks for the body.

 

Edward's earlier roll to assist was more than enough to garner this information. While I know that's not how the mechanics work, such is the perk of being the DM. You both had already earned this information, I just wanted to see if you would push to hear it.

Darren and Delth After a hearty handshake, Jackson smirks at the question. He's rather sheepish in his answer, either not accustomed to people inquiring of his work or wary of their response. "Well actually, it's a field trap I'm trying to repair. It's been through a bit, and I need to adjust a few of the springs and hinges before I can even hope to improve it." His eyes begin to wander toward the roof as he continues. "It's not easy to adjust things from the inside, which is where most of the damage is, without tearing through the outside to get at it, ya know?. But... if the structural integrity is mostly contained, and the damage is mechanical rather than structural, then I don't need to be reinventing the wheel so to speak. It would actually be far more beneficial to work with what's present than to scrap the project and recreate. 'Beneficial' isn't necessarily easier, though. I mean, the springs attached to the trigger also have to carry the length of ..." The man finally pauses to breathe, and quickly notes his faux pas. But I imagine you're here to buy something! Pardon my rambling. Where can I direct ya?"

[Surgate]

Jeremiah needed to confirm the gossip before assuming its validity but he doubted Kinny innocent to begin with. He grumbled a thank you and spotted the wanted poster, tilting his head ever so slightly to the side, studying it with a mixture of disbelief and intrigue. Removed from the billboard, Jeremiah returned to the older gentleman and held it up for him.

"One last question, what do you know about Old Sweeny?

Diplomacy:

Dice Roll:

1d20-2

(4)-2

Total = 2

[kdtompos]

Edward and Jeremiah A chuckle burst from the old man's lips, stifled quickly by a light fit of coughing. "I shouldn't laugh," he says, "but I'll be damned if that must seem a bit ridiculous to someone not familiar with the critter. It's sad really, if it aint funny. "Ol' Sweeny there's been a nuisance 'round here for a while. Nasty li'l bastard's been attacking livestock, and even people lately. We're lucky no kids've run across him yet. The bigger problem though, is he won't die. Critter's been left for dead a few times, only to show up later with more hardware and an even nastier attitude." Another smirk crosses the man's face, creasing the skin around his eyes. "Just recently it was a steam wagon that did him in. Damn thing aint afraid of nothing. Leapt out at the wagon as it passed, and buckled under the wheels... with a few pops and sparks if I hear correctly. But sure enough, heard he's been spotted up in Rackett's cove, this time with a new metallic leg and some leather grafts. Guess that's why Seddyn's looking to put him down for good." The man slides a nearby stool over, and takes a seat, clearly worn from the standing. "Mr. Rackett runs the local grocery, south road out of town if you happen to run afoul of the thing. But I'd recommend you take the body with you... as morbid as that sounds."

[Surgate]

The tale made him think about cats having nine lives, and wondered how many Old Sweeny had left in him. On his way to visit Kinny and for the duration of his stay in Grassy Spur he would keep an eye out for the troublesome feline.

"Sound advice, with directions to Kinny's home we'll be on our way." The widowman grumbled in monotone.

[kdtompos]

Back at the Old Mill The four men gather again beneath the shady overhang of the Old Mill. The sun is almost midway through it's path across the sky, and beating the arid earth with its heat - quickly parching your throats. Every few minutes, however, there's a light breeze providing relief from the sweltering conditions. Jeremiah and Edward notice the other two approaching from the southwest, though it's difficult to see more than silhouettes in the glaring sun that ripples and distorts the distant ground. They only step inside for a moment, where Sandy abliges them with glasses of water on the house. With the shutters closed tight, the temperature inside has held to a much cooler climate where you can wipe away the sweat and breathe again. Darren and Delth discovered very little, but had a good conversation with one of the Dooley Boys. The three Dooley Boys had been friends since childhood, and decided to venture into business together, though all three of them still pursue their own hobbies. They also revealed that thefts around town have been growing in frequency lately, making them a bit more cautious with their wares.   That bit of info was only a DC 10 check, so I'm making it a freebie Jeremiah and Edward found some information that likewise may be nothing at all, but Jeremiah has a hunch that it would be worth the groups effort to pursue. He had been given the address, or rather the directions, to a local gnomes house; and he relates the suspicious facts concerning the man's absence from work and rhumors abounding. When the group is ready to venture back into the heat, the group treks back into town where they quickly double back onto a side street lined with apple and pear trees. This should lead them to the neighborhood where Mr. Kinny Hamilton resides.

Kinny's House Fourth house on the right, this must be the place. It fits the description Jeremiah received from the postal attendant: an old, red-brick, one story home. The design and construction seems to predate the local mine, but has held up well over the years. There's a large apple tree in the front yard, just off the path to the front door, and a short lean-to shed to the north side. The property has a clinging smell of black pepper and something you don't recognize. The slender brick chimney atop the house is churning out black smoke like it's the middle of winter.

[Surgate]

Before they left, Jeremiah procured the wanted poster of a nasty-looking cat augmented with metallic parts. Keep an eye out for this one, two-hundred dollar reward." Unlike the kindly older attendant, the Widowman didn't bother with explanations, and put away the paper after letting Delth and Darren get a good look.

Once they arrived at the red brick house, Jeremiah broke the silence between them with a proposed course of action. "If Edward keeps Kinny's attention at the front, I can watch the back." The Mayor's words rang true about scaring the anarchists, he suspected his appearance alone might scare the gnome into doing something tragically foolish. The Widowman would stay out of sight for now unless he attempted a getaway.

[austarrowsplitter]

Darren nodded at the picture of the mechanically-augmented cat, saying, "Sounds like a good job, if dangerous. But we should definitely look for it."

He stayed just slightly behind Edward and Delth, wanting to provide plenty of 'intimidating presence' while not presenting himself as the face of the group. While he knew how to get his way, Darren's method of negotiations would probably leave a bad taste in the other's mouths... and a coppery taste in the mouth of this Kinny fellow.

[kdtompos]

Jeremiah casually strides behind the red-brick house, carefully watching for any movement inside or anyone trying to bolt through a back door. As he passes the lean-to shed he is able to see the back side of the building, where everything seems calm for the moment. The smell of black-pepper lingers here as it did in the front, and there's a surprising lack of movement in any of the windows. He looks to the others at the front of the building who indicate the same tranquility.

The four watch for a while longer. Black smoke continues to billow and puff from the thin chimney. Still no movement.

 

What would you guys like to do next? It seems some of you are busy, but I will keep plugging along on M, W, F posts with those that are active and able.

[kdtompos]

Minutes pass by as the group surveys the house. The three men out front watch the road and the front stoop, which are both barren. Everyone seems to be at work, and none of the neighboring houses seem to have any activity either. Kinny's house remains dark and still, save for the chimney smoke. The group waits and deliberates their next actions.

Jeremiah, however, who has paced to the back of the house is hoping to catch anyone trying to escape through back doors or windows. He plods carefully through the short weeds and dirt, goggled-eyes still squinting in the sunlight and searching for any movement. In his focus on the house he's unable to Perception Check: 11hear the silent padding of the creature that's been Stealth Check: 31stalking him through the underbrush. Small whisps of steam rise from the creature's tail, as it creeps silently across the ground, body pressed to the soil. Then, after a momentary pause to gauge distance, the feline beast springs from its cover in a cloud of grass, dust and fury.

Jeremiah reacts audibly as he feels the skin on his right leg peel open. In the feline's pounce, Attack Roll: 8one paw passed between the widowman's legs, but the Attack Roll: 26 (natural 20), Confirmation: 17other grasped the thigh squarely, gauging deep from the animal's speed and momentum. It's Attack Roll: 24teeth clasped onto the man's buttocks as well, not cutting as deep as the claw, but definitely pinching painfully and drawing a bit of blood before the cat drops to the ground at his feet - already wheeling around for another swipe.

OOC Jeremiah took 3 damage - 2 from the critical claw swipe, and 1 from the bite.

Dice Old Sweeny's Initiative:

1d20+4

(5)+4

Total = 9

 

Roll for initiative, and feel free to designate actions. I'll resolve the turn order once I have initiative rolls. Jeremiah is toward the back of the house, but not out of view as you all wanted to maintain visual communication. He also made an audible noise that you likely heard (DC 5 perception if you want to roll it, but I'm fine with assuming you did), but not so loud that anyone inside likely heard it. Each of you are about 50 ft. from his location however (I won't be creating a map for this portion). There's a large tree in the front yard (about 10 ft. from the front group) that could provide cover, and the lean to shed against the house, which is about 35 ft. from the front group, 15 ft. from Jeremiah.

[Surgate]

It was too quiet. Jeremiah waited for his companions to make their move at the front, and hopefully the gnome would come quietly. But the Widowman doubted things would play so smoothly. He played the patient part, ignoring the afternoon heat beating down on him, and of course the silent hunter who snuck upon him unawares. The creature from the wanted poster made its presence known with a spring attack, the sharp unexpected pain from the feline making Jeremiah gasp.

The goggles reflected Old Sweeny's augmented machine body ever so briefly as its paws tore into his flesh and its teeth tore holes in his buttocks, sending waves of sharp, prickling pain up to Jeremiah's mind. He reeled at the surprise attack and grumbled a single word, a tinge of agitation in his voice as he enunciated every syllable, Sweeny…

The cat was close to his feet now, and in retaliation the Widowman kicked one of his booted feet at the wanted criminal, putting every ounce of strength and precision he could into the blow. He wanted to make the critter pay for its transgression.

[austarrowsplitter]

Darren had been waiting for some sort of signal from the others. They were the planners, the schemers, his job was to bash the doors down and drag away beaten and bloodied (or dead) anyone who didn't want to cooperate and come along quietly. As he waited, he heard Jeremiah cry out as SOMETHING that resembled that construct varmint they were supposed to keep an eye out for took a bite out of the widowman's backside!

Darren growled and charged, hefting Severance high as he rushed towards the beastie, brnging it down with all the force he could muster, something halfway between a battlecry and a grunt of effort escaping him as he did so.

[TheMystic]

"Too much to hope the cat would have got his tongue I guess. At least those inside didn't seem to hear" Edward mutters under his breath as he jogs forward, beginning one of his least incantations.

His spell worms it's way towards the mind of the cat, doing to the cat's concentration what amounted to dangling string in front of it's face. It was not a subtle spell, that is certain.

OOC Initiative: 10 Move 25 ft forward to be within range Cast Daze (Target loses all it's actions next round) DC 16

[kdtompos]

In strong testament to his reflexes, Jeremiah reels around at the literal pain in his ass; swiftly kicking out at the beast at his feet. The cat hisses and spats, but only for a moment before it is crushed in a puff of fur and steam beneath the man's boot. Such a powerful force would certainly have ended any other cat, but the animal somehow finds its feet and staggers for a moment.

It's at that moment that Severance crashes into the feline's ribcage, accompanied by a short grunt and squeel along with the creek of twisting metal. The animal tumbles sideways, rolling end over end from the impact, before settling quite still in the dust. A low and un-rhythmic ticking can be heard as twisted gears and broken springs still grind and rotate, but their is no breath in the chest nor motion anywhere. It's clear that while some of the machine is slowly grinding to a halt, whatever life previously filled that body has been snuffed out.

Edward, racing forward to a better position to bring some control to the situation, watches the last bit of life leave the body. At seeing this, he hold his own spell for a better opportunity. Likewise, Delth relaxes his gun, thankful for not having to decide whether to fire a shot or not.

 

ooc Strong rolls everyone! You all receive 100xp each. Jeremiah and Darren are now positioned slightly behind the house, back by the shed. Edward is along the side of the house, between the two previously mentioned and the large tree out front. Delth remains in the front yard still clearly able to see the front door.

Jeremiah's leg and backside still sting a bit, but he's thankful that the creature didn't get another strike at him. Everything remains perfectly still about the house, and people are beginning to question if anyone is really there. The group hadn't made a lot of noise outside, but now realize that they don't need to be as quiet as originally expected.

[Surgate]

Jeremiah rubbed his leg and backside, giving Darren and Edward an appreciative nod before walking over the dead feline with some spare rope he always carried and promptly tied the rascal up. "Just in case" The Widowman said more to himself than anyone else. He was thankful the creature didn't get another swipe at him. Those claws and teeth of his hurt.

Given the commotion and lack of disturbance from within the house, Jeremiah gave another glance at the house and sighed audibly. Kinny may not be home...but something is cooking in there. And we have a bounty to collect after we check.

He still didn't want to be the one answering the door, the last thing he needed was alerting all the anarchists suspects in the area that a federal agent was snooping around, killing criminal cats and catching bad guys.

If one of you checks the door, I'll make sure no one comes out the back.

 

Awesome! That could have gone very badly. Hopefully Orcbane gets back soon.