Infiltrating the Underground Tunnels

Summary

In Session 10, the party infiltrates the underground tunnel network beneath New Smoke in an attempt to rescue the mayor from the Thunder Hogs. After gaining entry through the Supply Shed, the group descends approximately 30-40 feet into a haphazardly constructed tunnel system lit by guttering torches. Vasso uses pigeon echolocation techniques to map the passages, but the party's stealth attempt fails as they reach the bottom of the stairs. With Thunder Hogs members approaching, the group faces a tactical decision: continue forward with reduced chances of remaining hidden, or divert into an unexplored side corridor of unknown destination.

Details

The infiltration begins at the Supply Shed on the surface. Safia (in rat form) and Monster enter first to scout the interior, discovering a staircase leading down into the tunnels. Cat and Vasso approach the shed door next. Rather than attempting a subtle entry, Cat knocks and announces "exterminators," then simply tries the door handle. As the GM describes it: "Cat just tries to open the door. It opens."

Sucks attempts to pick the lock from outside using Tricks of the Trade, but the timing proves unfortunate—Cat locks the door from inside at the same moment, causing Sucks's lockpicks to snap. The group reassembles inside the shed and prepares to descend.

The staircase winds down approximately 30-40 feet into the underground passages. To map the tunnel structure ahead, Vasso employs an unconventional reconnaissance technique based on his pigeon training. Making pigeon noises and rolling Discern Realities, Vasso gets an 8. The GM narrates: "You make your pigeon noise. And the echoes and reverberations, which you've been trained since birth to recognize, tell you that the tunnel goes probably about 30 to 40ft down at an angle and then continues definitely." The echolocation reveals that the tunnels are haphazardly constructed with multiple branching paths.

The party forms a stealth formation for their descent, with Vasso at the front carrying Safia and Monster on his shoulders, aided by Sucks whispering directions in his ear. Vasso rolls a 6 on his stealth check—a miss.

As they reach the bottom of the stairs, the GM describes the scene: "So you get to the bottom of the stairs. There's guttering torches on the wall, casting flickering shadows across the floors." The group begins navigating the main corridor when they hear approaching voices—Thunder Hogs members are coming their way.

The GM presents them with a critical tactical choice: "You hear voices coming, and you know that it's. You continue forward. It'll be harder for you not to get caught. Or you could dip into this other corridor that you don't know if it's the way that you want to go."

Participants

Vasso — Takes point position in the stealth formation; uses pigeon training to echolocate the tunnel structure (rolling Discern Realities with an 8); carries Safia and Monster on his shoulders; rolls a 6 on stealth check
Safia — Enters the Supply Shed first in rat form to scout; rides on Vasso's shoulders during the descent
Monster — Accompanies Safia into the Supply Shed for initial reconnaissance; rides on Vasso's shoulders
Cat — Gains entry to the Supply Shed by knocking, announcing "exterminators," and simply opening the door; locks the door from inside
Sucks — Attempts to pick the lock using Tricks of the Trade but has lockpicks snap when Cat locks the door simultaneously; whispers directions to Vasso during stealth approach

Consequences

The party successfully infiltrated the underground tunnel network and descended to the main corridor level
Vasso's echolocation reconnaissance revealed the haphazard, multi-branching nature of the tunnel system
Sucks's lockpicks were destroyed in the failed lock-picking attempt
The stealth approach failed (6- result), alerting the party to approaching Thunder Hogs members before they could advance deeper
The party was forced into a tactical decision point: risk harder odds continuing forward on the main path, or explore an unknown side corridor with uncertain destination
The party's position in enemy-controlled territory beneath New Smoke was established, advancing their mission to rescue the mayor