A/N: Hello, my friends! I'm am back with yet another chapter of this. And, also, I made a mistake. I was rereading the last chapter and found out that I miscalculated the damage Jaune did to the Empowered Cultist (Heh, like Matthew Mercer, indeed.) He was still alive with 2HP. So, instead of just ignoring that and going forward, I decided to redo and extend that part of the last chapter here at the beginning of this one. Enjoy!
Also, a reviewer asked if I would be adding in something like a Charm score for this. Now, I did say that that wasn't strictly a DnD trait, but, I liked the idea, so I'm adding it in. More on that at the end.
RWBY is owned by Roosterteeth and the late Monty Oum
DnD is owned by Wizards of the Coast
RWBY DnD
Chapter 2
(Roll to Attack (Jaune Arc): 19 + 5 = 24; Empowered Cultist AC 13; Roll Result: Success, Critical Hit) (It took forever, but I did find that Longsword Crit on 19s and 20s)
(Roll for Damage (Critical Hit): 2d10 + 3; Roll Result: 4 + 5 + 3 = 13 points of damage) (Yeah! Freaking finally!)
With a massive swing of the blade, almost overstepping as he did so, Jaune swung at the maddened cultist and tore a great, wrenching line across his torso. The man almost seemed to fall then only to then brace himself and shrieked at Jaune as he stabbed back in retaliation. Twice!
(Roll for Attack (Empowered Cultist): 18 + 3 = 21 and 10 + 3 = 13; Jaune Arc AC 18; Roll Result: one success, one failure)
(Roll for Damage: 1d4+1; Roll Result: 2 + 1 = 3 points of Damage)
Jaune hissed in pain as the cultist stabbed him in the same shoulder as before, deepening the already existing wound there. The cultist made to jerk his blade back out to stab him a second time only slip on his own blood.
He then tried to wrench the blade back out even though he was unsteady.
(Strength check, (Empowered Cultist) rolled a 7; Jaune Rolled a 16 + 3 = 19; Roll Results: Jaune wins)
(Roll for Damage: 1d4; Roll Result: 2 points of Damage)
But Jaune pulled away, sliding backwards, even as he groaned in pain as the blade slid in deeper.
(Roll to Attack (Ruby Rose): 6 + 5 = 11; Cultist (Horn) AC 11; Roll Result: Success)
(Roll for Damage: 1d8 + 3; Roll Result: 5 +3 = 8 points of damage) (There ya go, Rubes!)
Ruby once more took aim at the distant cultist, ignoring the one before her trying his hardest to rushed up to her and loosed an arrow. It shot the two men running towards her, one good and decent, the other not, and struck the man with the horn just as he brought it to his mouth once more.
He coughed, choking, and collapsed, an arrow lodged in his neck.
Jaune snarled as he gripped his sword with both hands and swung at the madman before, yelling hoarsely with pain and rage.
(Roll to Attack (Jaune Arc): 14 + 5 = 19; Empowered Cultist AC 13; Roll Result: Success)
(Roll for Damage: 1d10 + 3; Roll Result: 7 + 3 = 10 points of damage) (Yeah! Freaking finally!)
With another massive swing of the blade, the longsword cleaved the blood mad Salemite's head clean off in one blow. His body toppled over, still twitching from the magical power residing within, even as his head went soaring off into the pews beyond.
Jaune then turned and started lumbering after the cultist charging towards Ruby. He hoped that he got there in time.
But, to no avail as the last cultist stopped running and threw his dagger at the lone girl with the bow.
(Roll for Attack (Cultist): 5 + 3 = 8; Ruby Rose (Unarmored) AC 13; Roll Result: Failure!) (Oh, thank goodness!)
Ruby ducked back with a yelp as the blade spun towards her, only to impale, blade first in the pew in front of her. So unnerved by the sudden attack that she couldn't react.
The last cultist dashed toward Ruby with everything he had. Jaune scooped up one of the fallen Salemite's daggers and threw it at him as he ran on, trying to catch up to him.
(Roll to Attack (Jaune Arc): 16 + 5 = 21; Cultist (Horn) AC 11; Roll Result: Success)
(Roll for Damage: 1d4 + 3; Roll Result: 4 +3 = 7 points of damage)
With a heavy whirling sound the dagger spun about before piercing the last cultist in the back, piercing his heart. With an inarticulate cry of pain the man fall to floor dead, skidding to a stop at Ruby's feet.
/ /
An hour later…
Ruby followed after the paladin as he led her through the confusing, winding path of the secret path, trying to not freak out any more than she already was, thinking about what had happened.
She had been so stupid! How could she think that she could just wander around the capital without anyone noticing her, and her eyes.
Stupid eyes. What good were they, anyway? They were why her mother was dead. Killed, by the Cult. What good were they?
"Stop that." Jaune said over his shoulder as he paused by a wall,. She blinked and looked up at him in confusion.
"Huh?" she said.
He turned and looked at her over his shoulder, his blue eyes dark and said, "I said, 'Stop that.' Stop beating yourself up over what happened. If you screwed up, you screwed up. It's done."
He pushed on the wall, opening a previously hidden door and peeked outside.
(Perception check DC10, Roll Result: 12 + 1 = 13, Success)
Nothing suspicious so far.
Then he turned back to her and said, "All you can do now is move on and learn from it."
He focused and pressed his hand into his chest as a faint silver white light glowed about his hand, then sighed as his wounds heal some more.
He stepped out of the passageway and held up a hand as she made to step herself as he looked around again.
(Perception check DC10, Roll Result: 10 + 1 = 11, Success)
He frowned as he scanned the darkened alley thoroughly. Again, nothing suspicious. He wondered at how much longer that would last.
He looked up towards the Religious sector of the city and frowned even deeper as he watched the flames and smoke rise in the darkening sky. Then he turned and nodded to her.
The small woman in red stepped out of the passageway and put up her hood. She turned and watched as the false wall closed behind her, seemingly fusing with the walls to either side of it. She focused on it and looked for any crack or seam.
(Perception check, DC 30, Roll Result: 11 + 2 = 13, Failure)
She blinked. There was none.
Then she turned and followed after Jaune as thunder rumbled overhead.
/ /
As they made their way through the various alleyways they came across numerous atrocities.
Everywhere they went they found members of the Church of Salem and members of the Lion Guard rounding up individuals or groups of citizens and loading them up into various wagons. Elsewhere, buildings and shops were being ransacked as the Church ordered the Guard to scour them for any sign of the two of them.
This went on for another hour or so.
As they made their way to the end of the alley they were currently in, they paused as they heard shouting nearby. Jaune motioned her to wait before he made his way over to the alley's entrance and looked around the corner and saw dozens of the Lion Guard as well as Cultists of all types forcing civilians and travelers out of various shops and inns along the main thoroughfare to search within.
He absently noted Ruby coming up behind him as he continued to watch.
He paused there for a moment, watching. Thinking. Pondering on what to do. He couldn't help anyone here, just like all the others over the years.
Just like his family.
He grimaced and clenched his eyes closed tightly as he once again remembered that day. He could never forget that day.
Then he looked at the woman as she looked on in horror as one of the Cultists and a group of guard suddenly grabbed a woman resembling her in size and shape and tossed her onto the road and started beating her as she and a nearby group of individuals in Adventuring gear screamed until she eventually changed appearance to that of a Faunus female with long rabbit ears.
The guards took the previously disguised female as well as her companions, shackled them, and tossed them into a cage on the back of a wagon before going on to search the next group of civilians.
She looked up at him then, her beautiful silver eyes wide with tears pricking at the edges and whispered, "Did I do this?"
He grimaced at that and looked back out into the main lane, searching for an exit. An escape route.
(Perception Check, DC15, Roll Result: 15 +1 =16, Success)
His eyes widened then as lightning flashed overhead again. There!
"Jaune?" Ruby asked then, quietly.
He looked at her and sighed at what he saw. The previously cheerful young woman was now slumped, defeated. Scared.
He hated it.
It made him think of the past.
He swallowed thickly as shadows flashed across his eyes then he placed an a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him again, tears in her eyes now, as he said, "This is not your fault, Miss Rose. It is theirs. And only theirs." He then squeezed her shoulder reassuringly as he asked, "Understood?"
She paused at that for a second, then nodded silently. He squeezed her shoulder again and nodded. Then pointed out the route they needed to go and said, "That's our exit, Miss Rose. We go through there and take the alleyways to my contact, then we can escape."
She nodded and said, "Understood. I'll follow your lead, Jaune."
He nodded and said as he leaned around the corner, "Good. We should have an advantage with the enemy being distracted with their search." -Ruby frowned at that, but said nothing- "We'll go on the next crack of thunder. Prepare."
Lightning flashed overhead. Not a second later, thunder boomed!
(Stealth Check, DC15, Roll Result (Jaune) with Advantage: 3, 17, Success)
(Stealth Check, DC15, Roll Result (Ruby) with Advantage: 14, 17 + 5: 19, 22, Success)
Jaune dropped the hand he had raised and whispered harshly, "Now!"
The two tore across the main thoroughfare and continued on into one of the alleyways on the other side of the street. They then made their way through the back alleyways, winding to and fro as they deeper and deeper into the slums, dodging a few search parties as they did so with Ruby's assistance.
Eventually, they made their way to a shop that seemed familiar to Ruby. She looked up at the sign above the shop's door as Jaune checked the alley they were in for any threats. The Melodic Cudgel it read.
She blinked at that before grasping at Jaune's cloak as he made to take off again. When he turned to her in confusion she pointed at the sign and said, "Jaune. I was just here."
He nodded and said sadly, "I know. Come on."
As ruby followed after him, thinking it over, she suddenly brightened up as she spouted, "Oh! I can get back my emblem!"
Jaune paused at that, tilted his head in thought, then smiled at her and nodded.
/ /
Roman Torchwick was bored. He hated minding the store. Hated not being about to go out and do anything. But, after how that last job ended, he needed to keep his head down until Neo could… take care of things.
He sighed again for the umpteenth time that day. He had only had one customer today. A girl, well, young woman, sent to him by recommendation.
And, now, this.
From what he could determine from the few guards that had come in the city was in an uproar over something, someone. He shrugged at that. All he knew was that they were searching for someone.
He wonder who, and how he might exploit that for himself. Then he shrugged. What did it matter? All it would do was draw the attention of the Church, and he didn't want that for anything.
Ding!
The bell on the shop's door rang then as it open and a familiar duo came in. He blinked at that, then smiled graciously as he stood up from behind the counter he had been leaning on as he said, "Well, hello, hello! Good to see you again so soon, my friends. How might I help you?"
"Oh, just checking to see if my order was done?" The girl said as she began looking around the room. He briefly frowned as he noted how she hadn't lowered her hood. Then he smiled sadly as he shook his head and said, "Fraid not, Little Red. That'll take a couple of days at least. Weeks at most."
He then shifted his attention to the knight as he noticed him still standing by the entrance, looking outside for a moment more. The blond male knight then stalked up to him as he glanced around the store before, saying quietly, "Gelato."
(Persuasion Check, Roll Result 14 + 2 =16)
Roman continued smiling as he froze at that phrase then blinked as he realized the younger man was being serious. He chuckled as he leaned on the counter again and said with a slightly more brittle smile, "Oh, well, I'm afraid that, we don't serve that here, Sir Knight."
The knight continued to glance around as he bit out in a somewhat more conversational tone, "Surely, you can make an exception this time. My friend and I," he nodded his head aggressively towards the girl as she continued to look at the various display, "were really looking forwards to eating some. We heard that you were the only one who had some."
Roman then stroked at his chin as he mused aloud, "Well, maybe just this once." Then he smiled cheekily as he pointed at the knight and said, "But, it's going to cost you."
The knight nodded stiffly at him as he began to make his way towards the back before he poked his head back out and said jokingly, "Oh, and don't call me, Shirley. ~You should know my name by now, Sir Knight~!"
He then chuckled to himself as the knight shook his head. However, once he left the store front he immediately dropped the jovial nature and cursed under his breath.
He palmed through his coat's breast pockets until he found the Sending Stone and whispered the code phrase into it as he walked towards the back of the business. "Neo," he whispered harshly into the stone before glancing back to the front. "Get back here now! Shit is going down! I need you!"
Once he got to the slightly hidden back entrance he opened the door and lit the sconce that was mounted there. The torch within lit up a brilliant blue, showing a small, empty lot with a grate.
He glanced around a bit before going back into the store.
/ /
As Jaune waited up by the counter Ruby continued to wander, thinking over things. Just what was she going to do now?
She had gone here both to get her mom's emblem fixed, and to discover more about her heritage. Surely, the Capital of the nation that had outlawed her kind would know more about it, right? Surely, the Church that considered her kind Demons would know more about why she was supposedly Evil, right?
But, no. No.
They were the Evil. The monsters.
She paused and looked at Jaune. At least, there were good people here. Then her eyes noticed something out of place out of the corner of her eyes.
She turned her head, but found nothing. Nothing other than the gun on a display stand.
She made her way over to it in slightly stunned awe. As she stood there before the display she gazed at it intensely.
(Investigation Check, DC10, Roll Results: 11 + 2 = 13, Success)
It was a hunting rifle. It was broken, with the barrel bent slightly, the triggered jammed somehow that she could tell at first glance, and the butt cracked in such a way that made it unusable for a weapon. And it was priced at 10,000 Lien.
She looked at it for a moment more before looking over at Jaune in silence. He looked at her as he became aware of her gaze on him and frowned at what he saw. They stood there for a moment in silence then he glanced towards the back of the store for Roman before looking back at her again and nodding imperceptively. Then he turned to face the counter with his arms crossed.
Ruby smiled at that.
Yeah. There were definitely some good people here.
Then she turned back to the display again, focusing on it. Looking for flaws, traps, or alarms.
(Perception Check, DC15, Roll Result: 9 + 2 = 11, Failure)
She didn't see anything, but she wasn't so sure. This place didn't seem all that legit, even if Jaune had recommended it. Also, she had a feeling like she was being watched, even now.
She felt around the edges of the display then, just in case.
(Investigation Check, DC15, Roll Result: 18 + 2 = 20, Success)
There was no alarm, as far as she could determine, but there was a lock. An easy couple of clips holding the glass in place. Should be easy enough to removed.
(Sleight of Hand (Ruby) with Advantage, Roll Results: 5, 7 + 3 = 8, 10; Perception Check (?) Roll Result: 8 +1 = 9; Success for Ruby)
Ruby smiled then as she unlatched the case and took the broken rifle. She held it in her hands for a moment before quickly hiding the gun within the not quite voluminous cloak and closing the case just as she heard Roman come back out.
"Alright," he said on entrance. "I think I got what you wanted, my friends. If you'll follow me, please."
Then he glanced around the shop after looking at Ruby before asking, "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Yes," Jaune then said, drawing his attention as Ruby made to store the broken rifle in her knapsack.
(Deception check (Ruby) with Advantage, Roll Results: 18, 4 + 2 = 20, 6; Perception check (Roman) with Disadvantage, Roll Results: 10, 5 + 3 = 13, 8; Ruby wins!)
(Perception check (?), Roll Result: 17 + 1 = 18, Success)
Roman didn't notice as Ruby shoved the rifle in her sack, more focused on Jaune. Meanwhile, as Ruby walked up to the two of them, the barrel sticking out a bit, a creepy giggle suddenly rang out eerily.
They all looked up at that, but saw nothing. Roman then asked as he glared about the interior of the room, "So, what can I help you with, now? Sir Knight?"
"The emblem, Miss Rose, Ruby, gave you. We'll need it back." Jaune said in answer, his arms still crossed over his chest.
"Oh! Right. That." Roman said as he rubbed at his head. "Sure. Yeah. Of course." He reached down under the counter and gave it to her saying, "Here ya go, Little Red. Now, don't go forgetting that."
"Thank you, Mister Torch, wick?" She said in reply, slightly confused as she tried to remember his name correctly. She pocketed the medallion before spouting, "Oh! Do you happen to know where I might another Arcane Repair shop, like this? Preferably in another town?"
(Persuasion Check, DC15, Roll Result: 3 + 2 = 5 , Failure) (How does she keep failing these?!)
Roman looked at her in a deadpan for a moment before shaking his head silent at how bad she had tried that. He made to say something before Jaune then said, "Come on, man. She came to you just for this. Under my recommendation. Least you could do before we have that Gelato is give her some recommendations. We'll owe you."
(Persuasion Check, DC18, Roll Result: 19 + 2 =21, Success) (My Boi!)
Roman looked at them for a moment then nodded and pulled out a sheet of paper and quickly wrote down an address while saying, "Here's the only one I can think of. It's in the town of Domremy, beyond the ruins of Sauvignon, near the Northern border of Arcadia."
He then handed it to Jaune. As he took it, Roman held onto it for a moment and said tersely, "Owner's Hei Xiong, called Junior. He is not to be trifled with, but only cause of his body guards. Don't insult him. He owes me, but that won't save you if you do."
Jaune nodded. Roman nodded back and crossed his arms as he said, "Hand him that and he'll do no questions asked."
At that point two men showed up them from the back. One was bald. The other had a beard. They wore black tunics and pants with red belts. Roman nodded towards them and said, "Follow them. They take you."
Jaune looked at Ruby and smiled then nodded at Roman again, silently. Roman smirked then and said, "I do hope to see you again. After all, you owe me now. Now, go on. Get out of here."
The two nodded again and followed after the two thugs in silence.
/ /
Hours later…
Roman watched as a Lion Guard patrol stalked into his shop alongside a trio of Cultists as he wiped down the countertop. He smiled as the five man squad spread out around him in the store and the three Cultists guarded the entrance.
"Gentlemen, Lady," He said with a smile as he tilted his hat their way. They frowned at that. There was no females among them. "So, how might I help you?"
A/N: So, I hoped you guys liked that chapter. Ruby just cannot pass a Persuasion check. Maybe, eventually.
Now, as for the Charm score rules (If you have a suggestion to make it better sent a Review, I'll respond). Every character starts at 0pts, for Neutral. Any initial positive interactions build up points till they reach 25pts, for Trusted. After that point, a character has to do something specific to make it go higher. The same is true for the reverse. Once they reach -15pts, for untrusted, they have to do something more to make the character either a Rival or actively Hostile. (Think of this like the Companions from Dragon Age)
Also, Ruby is currently at 16pts in relation to Jaune (Man's saved her life twice and is still helping her out) and Jaune is a 6pts (I've hinted at his back story in this chapter. We get more next chapter, but for now it's why it's harder for him to trust someone, even Ruby.)
Here's Roman's and Neo's stat blocks, current level, and Aura Pool
Roman Torchwick (Level 5): Str: 13, Dex: 16, Con: 14, Int: 16, Wis: 12, Cha: 17; AP (Aura Pool): 42
Clever, dexterous, and charismatic is definitely how I see Roman.
Neo (Level 10): Str: 17, Dex: 20, Con: 16, Int: 14, Wis: 12, Cha: 15; AP (Aura Pool): 58
Meanwhile, Neo is so much more than him in every way (Like how Harley is in comparison to the Joker). And, yes, Neo does have a DnD version of her Semblance.