November 16th, afternoon in the year 670 by Kingdom reckoning
You sneak quietly as you can around the edge of the forest to execute your pincer maneuver.
Dolgi's group heads toward the river. There is a tense moment as each of you crosses the path but you've moved far enough down that you aren't in any danger. The forest gets thicker on the other side of the path and you pick your way carefully. Sometimes going on hands and knees to get through.
Draymun's group has an easier time. It's slow going but you are rewarded when you come into earshot of the sentries and find that they are discussing tonight's dinner and wondering whether the cook will again serve them sheep's tongue.
Thor silently brings a single finger over his lips to signal the need for silence to Draymun and Jul. Steeling himself against the impetuousness of his rage, Thor settles in patiently to await the inevitable signal from Harken.
ReplyDeleteShade gives the signal to the bird, its diminutively sized brain never an issue for its clever nature, and it responds with a caw that is not at all out of place in the woods and high among the trees about 20 feet away from the groups position and about 30 feet up. Steeling himself he concentrates on his incantation prepared at a moments notice to let fly the barrage of colors.
ReplyDeleteDolgi brings his group within sight of the guards. Pointing at Rayla and then pointing to the nearest guard. Pointing at Shade he nods at their pre-determined attack plan. Pulling an arrow out, Dolgi nocks it and then nods to Shade once more, signalling Harken to call out.
ReplyDeleteRayla takes careful aim at the nearest guard and waits for the signal to fire.
Delete(How many guards do we see?)
Delete((Yeah, that. I'll signal the attack as soon as we get some clarification.))
Delete((Well since we are asking, how far away are we? We have AOE with limited ranged planned, I would think we would get the group close enough for those to be useful.))
Delete((As Dolgi is leading the group I assumed that he would get us into position to fire.))
Delete((Since we're the ones initiating combat, can we get any closer before we start? Or are we basically at the tree line?))
Delete(You're at what both Draymun and Dolgi have determined to be the "safe zone". You can draw weapons, ready spells, maybe even whisper a word or two without any trouble. If someone wants to move forward, they'll have to make another stealth roll.
DeleteThink of it like a bullseye. The outside circle was your approach, no chance of being detected. The next circle was your sneaking up and the river group crossing the road. Then the actual sneak through the trees. That's where the guards got their perception rolls. Now you're in the circle nearest the center. Moving forward from here will require another roll and the guards will have the advantage as far as perception checks go.
Savvy?)
You are 25 feet away. You see 3 guards; two leaning against trees and one sprawled out on a log.
ReplyDeleteYou are making a "surprise attack" so you each only get one action.
The Raven has cawed, what happens next?
Can I take a 5 foot step (adjustment) and still throw a bomb?
DeleteYes.
DeleteDraymun hears the caw and looks to his fellows, silently checking their preparedness and nodding to each in turn. Satisfied, he pats Kumo on the hind quarter, signalling him to prepare for a hunt.
DeleteKumo tenses and begins to sniff the air, looking to Draymun for guidance. The dwarf catches his eyes and, using two fingers to simulate a gaze, points to his own eyes before directing them to the guards ahead. Kumo traces the gesture and identifies his prey. As his hair begins to bristle he lowers himself to the dirt with a low, building growl.
Draymun raises his hand to the air and holds an open palm up for but a moment before bringing it down with a slap, sending Kumo into a fierce rage, a mighty roar bellowing forth from the uncoiling beast.
((It's on! Waiting to take my action until I see some other responses. You guys want me to summon something, or should we just start bum-rushing?))
Everyone that wants to take an action in the Surprise Round just post what you're doing and I'll sort it out at the end.
DeleteJul takes a 5 ft. step towards the bandits and throws a fire bomb at center bandit.
ReplyDelete(ranged touch attack (12+4=20), fire damage to target 6=3=9 no save, splash damage to adjacent bandits = 4 reflex save DC 13 for half)
Rayla releases her bolt at the nearest bandit and grabs her light crossbow. ((1d20+2 to hit=17+2=19 damage 1d10=9)
ReplyDelete((Hamish should fire at the nearest guard as well))
ReplyDeleteDolgi pulls his arrow back and lets fly at the nearest bandit, knowing the battle plan called for his group to get that one down on first volley.
((18+5=23))
((1+1=2))
((Grrrr))
Shade calls forth a ray of chilling frost at the center bandit and blasts away, content in the knowledge that he must temper his own superior tactical thinking in favor of the frailties of his fellows. ((Roll 14+1=15 against touch AC, damage 1d4-1=2-1=1)) Harken flies to his masters call and swipes down from above! ((12+1=13, Damage 1))
ReplyDeleteThor draws back his bow, as he'd done countless times, taking aim at the bandit already targeted by Rayla and Dolgi. He guides the knocked arrow with his index finger until he was certain his aim was true and, holding his breath, let it loose.
ReplyDelete((1d20 + 4 = 12 + 4 = 16
((1d6 + 3 = 6 + 3 = 9
Draymun and Kumo begin to move through the forest toward the sentries, holding at the edge to maintain cover and await the opening volley.
ReplyDeleteThe guards are taken completely by surprise and the splash fire from Jul's bomb combined with the bolt from Rayla's crossbow kills the supine guard before he even knows he is under attack.
ReplyDeleteAt the final instant Dolgi switches targets and fires at the middle bandit who had also taken the brunt of Jul's fire. He remains standing only an instant before Thorvald's arrow and Shade's frosty bolt do him in.
The final bandit, the one closest to Draymun and his bear, was the quickest and dodges the majority of the splash damage from the bomb.
(Two bandits dead, the one closest to Draymun's party has taken 2 points of damage.)
((Initiative: 16+4= 20))
Delete((Kumo goes on my turn, ya?))
((Initiative: 10+1=11))
DeleteDolig Init
ReplyDelete((16+2=18))
((Initiative 11+3=12))
ReplyDelete((Thor initiative: 1d20 + 2 = 3 + 2 = 5))
Delete((Shades initiative 17+1.. Gonna have to stop using that dice roller, two 18s and a 17 in three rolls!))
Delete(Initiative is up. Shade and Dolgi are at bat.)
ReplyDelete((I'll just jump in here so it reads as "before the others" on the blog.))
DeleteSpringing from the treeline with a sharp whistle for his companion, both Draymun and Kumo charge the remaining bandit. Drawing his hand around in a wide arch, the bear is signaled to approach from the backside, effectively flanking the target of their assault.
((Mechanically, if he can't get around him (not sure of the distance) then both Dray and Kumo half-round him to pincer attack.))
Striking as one, they both unleash their ferocity in unison.
(( Draymun Attack (Warhammer): 17 + 4 Hit + 2 Flank = 23
(( Draymun Damage (Warhammer): 7 + 3 Str = 10
(( I am unsure how animals work, do they get to do all of their attacks at their full BAB? Or do they take normal penalties for multiple attacks/round? My research was unclear, as it appeared to say they get all of their attacks at full BAB every time...))
(( Kumo Attack (Bite): 8 + 5 Hit + 2 Flank = 15
(( Kumo Attack (Claw): 7 + 5 Hit + 2 Flank = 14
(( Kumo Attack (Claw): 2 + 5 Hit + 2 Flank = 9
(( Kumo Damage (Bite): 1 + 3 Str = 4
(( Kumo Damage (Claw): 1 + 3 Str = 4
(( Kumo Damage (Claw): 2 + 3 Str = 5
Dolgi pulls another arrow out and fires it at the remaining guard.
ReplyDelete((17+5=22))
((6+1=7))
Shade holds his power in check, ready to react at the slightest movement from the remaining foe.
ReplyDeleteJul throws a fire bomb at the remaining bandit.
ReplyDelete((5+4=9 ranged touch attack. if it hits 3+3=6 fire damage no save. If not where does it land?))
(Sam, did this action take place?)
Delete(It wasn't necessary because I forgot to include Draymun. The guard was dead before Jul's turn so no.)
DeleteThe assault of Draymun and his bear, combined with the damage from Dolgi's arrow is enough to finish the final guard.
ReplyDeleteThe forest is eerily silent but for the panting of the bear.
(You gain 600 xp total for the guards. They are all wearing leather armor and have short swords and daggers. You also recover a signal horn and 18 gp, 7 sp.)
((perception check: I just want to look around and listen again and make sure no one is around or sneaking up on us. 1d20+wisdom modifier = gah! 5+4=9 Hmmm...guess I'm going to look around and see if any bandits are standing around in plain sight waiting for me to notice them.))
ReplyDeleteYou don't see any bandits.
DeleteAfter a short discussion the humans in the group strip the armor off the guards and quickly put it on. Dolgi and Drayum stay behind to obscure what tracks they can while the others drag the bodies of the guards into the woods and hide them. Shade pulls out his scroll of disguise. Thor, Shade and Hamish position themselves around the fire in much the same way as they had seen the guards before them and begin to wait. The others hide themselves in the edge of the woods to await the bandits they hope will eventually come to relieve the guards.
ReplyDeleteShade realizes he hasn't prepared another scroll of Disguise Self since expended his last one and instead casts the prepared spell he has of it. He tells Harken to await the enemies approach in the trees along their likely approach path and to signal with a single loud caw anyone's approach. Being that he is a good 40 feet away, it should provide enough notice to cast a Mage Armor and for the other group members to prepare themselves as needed. Then Shade takes up the spot leaning against a tree awaiting their approach.
DeleteThe wait is tense but after 30 or 45 minutes pass, you see a small group of men round the bend. They are 70 feet away so you have no problem hiding the actions and words required for spell casting.
ReplyDeleteThey move forward at a leisurely pace. There are three dressed and equipped much as the three you surprised and they are joined by a fourth man. He wears a suit of chain mail and carries a halberd. He is easily 6 feet tall and has a short cropped beard sprinkled with gray. When they get to about 30 feet away, he calls out. "Ho there you lazy lot! Come about for inspection and relief."
Shade, sitting at the base of a tree, quickly and secretly casts Mage Armor before the enemy can close to view his action. He then uses his skills as a street performer to put on a bit of a show of getting up and being grumpy and unhappy. ((Imagine that he will drag his feet, kick at twigs and generally look displeased with his job, trying to have the guards focus their attention on his surly, guard-like boredom. This is done so that they will pay more attention to him, who wears the face of a comrade, the clothing and now the demeanor.. enticing them to close the distance.))
DeleteRayla shakes her head and grins as she watches the distractions created by Shade. Then pulling her attention back to matters at hand she reaches over and casts guidance on Dolgi and Jul on each side of her (assuming they are on within reach).
DeleteDraymun maintains his cover behind the treeline, gently running his fingers through Kumo's fur. The prone bear lifts his head and look sat his friend, curious as to what will happen next.
DeleteRemoving his hand from his companion, he points at his fellows, made up in the guard uniforms, and signals for Kumo to approach and guard them.
Silently the bear rises and begins to slowly meander over towards the compatriots, sniffing the air. Seeing the oncoming patrol, he begins to bristle and growl, continuing to stalk towards his marks.
Draymun hopes that it will draw the attention of the oncoming guards away from the ruse, allowing them to better spring the trap.
They don't stop walking but instead continue to move forward as Shade goes about his lolly-gagging. When they get another 15 feet closer, the lead guard finally sighs with exasperation and says "come on Sauss, don't waste any more of my time than you already have." He then points to Thorvald and Hamish and says, "you two, up already!"
ReplyDeleteAt that moment, when the guards are about 10 feet away, Kumo appears out of the bushes another 10 feet away. One of the guards hesitates in fear but the other three react immediately. The lead guard, carrying the halberd, yells "to arms!" and looks to be preparing to charge the bear.
(The guards rolled 10, 1, 5 and 14 versus Shade's disguise and were fooled. They rolled an 11, 10, 4, 10 on the reaction to the bear, thus 3 hostile and one fearful.)
(Everyone please roll initiative.)
Delete((19+1=20))
Delete((6+1=7))
Delete((13+3=16))
Delete(14+2=16)
Delete((1d20 + Dex = 9 + 2 = 11))
ReplyDelete(( Draymun initiative: 5 + 4 = 9 ))
ReplyDeleteShade in the guise of Sauss the guard had allowed the enemy to draw near, and Draymun's distraction had turned their attentions from any suspicions they may have held under closer scrutiny. Knowing this, the novice Mage calls upon his most powerful spell, quietly intoning the words, almost under his breath as a drunk might mutter after a few too many. The patch of colored tapestry he holds in his fingers unweaves and the strands begin to fall apart into shining colorful granules no bigger than sand. Suddenly, as his last gesture and words of power are completed, the granules are blown before him, directly into the path of the new shift if guards. The color spray dazzles and dances with flourishes of bright light and sprays of intense shades of every color imaginable. Knowing the results will be unpredictable, and maybe even fall short of affecting the guards, Shade steps back a few feet, trying to create further distance between him and his dangerous opponents.
ReplyDeleteThe spell affects two of the guards and they stop where they are and stand still, stunned and in awe of the colorful effects.
ReplyDeleteThe other guard and the leader are unaffected. The guard draws a shortbow and shoots at Kumo but misses due to his haste. The bearded man, who you are now sure is a lieutenant of some sort, does indeed charge Kumo and hits with a swing of his halberd, dealing 10 points of damage.
(Saving throws against Color Spray: 13, 3, 17, 18. Short bow attack roll: 5. Halberd attack roll: 15+4+2 = 21, damage 4+6=10.)
(Josh, can I get you to roll Kumo's hit points, 2d8+1)
(How far is Jul from the two affected guards?)
Delete(No more than 20 feet.)
Delete((throw a fire bomb at one of the 2 affected guards. (ranged touch attack 9+3=12) (fire damage 5+3=8 no save.) (splash damage 4 save for half DC 13))
ReplyDeleteDolgi fires an arrow at the guard attacking the bear with a bow.
ReplyDelete((Attack+Guidance+PBS 10+4+1+1=16))
((Damage, if hits 2+1=3))
Jul's target doesn't do so much as flinch to avoid the bomb and he goes down in a burst of flames. The other guard is hit by the splash but remains standing, still stunned however.
DeleteThe bearded man hollers with surprise as arrows and bombs fly out of the woods and shouts "Sauss, you lying bastard!". Dolgi's arrow sticks in his chainmail and he is unharmed.
Thorvald, then Draymun are up.
I was attacking the guard, without the halberd. I am not saying I am going to hit him, but that's the guy with the shortbow, not the bearded, halberd wielding LT.
Delete(I misread "guard using a bow to attack the bear" as "I use my bow to attack the guard.")
DeleteIn that case, Dolgi does hit the conscious guard dealing 3 points of damage. That guard is still standing.
We have:
The bearded man next to Kumo with a halberd.
One stunned guard dead from a bomb. One stunned guard still standing, having taken 4 points of damage.
One not-stunned guard who has taken 3 points of damage who is standing 10 feet from the bear and thus 20 feet from cover.
Thorvald charges the guard with the Halberd, moving into a flanking position.
ReplyDelete((Charge: -1 AC, +1 attack roll
((Attack roll: 1d20 + 7(hit) + 1 (mgc wep) + 1 (charge) + 1 (flanking) = 12 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 22
((Damage roll 2d6 + (4 * 1.5)(STR) + 1 (mgc wep) = 4 + 3 + 6 + 1 = 14
((Penalty: -1 AC for 1 round
Your attack hits and deals 14 points of damage.
DeleteDraymun and Rayla are up.
ReplyDeleteDraymun, maintaining his cover for the time begins to chant under his breath, focusing on the magic dancing on his tongue. Placing his hands on himself, he reaches out spiritually to Kumo until their souls join as one. At that moment his releases the healing power into himself as a gateway, a focus that transfers the calming warmth to his companion.
ReplyDelete(( Cure Light Wounds on Kumo using Share Spells (EX)
(( 1d8+1 = 5+1 = 6 hp healed
As the calming warmth fills his body, Kumo feels regenerated and lets forth a mighty roar before mauling his attacker with all of his might.
(( Kumo Full-Round Attack
Rayla fires at the stunned guard. ((12+2= 14 to hit. 1d10= 7 damage.))
Delete((Kumo Full-Round Attack
Delete1d20 3 times for 5 all 3 times, so bite, claw, claw is 12, 12, 12 to hit.
Damage is 1d4=2, 1d3=2, 1d3=2))
All of Kumo's attacks miss.
DeleteRayla's attack also misses.
DeleteShade falls back five feet, taken aback at how quickly the battle is becoming a rout, maybe even a massacre. Shade calls forth a glob of acid and flings it at the halberd wielding lieutenant, while taunting him in his best mockery of Sauss' voice from the snippets he heard during the previous fight. "Luitenant you are on the wrong side of history, vengeance is coming for Minx, it don't need to be coming for everyone else too, throw down that Halberd now." (Sauss/Shade throws acid, 14+1 Dex against touch AC, 15. Dmg: 3. Also, can my taunt count as forcing a morale check to see if he will stay in Minx's employ?)
ReplyDeleteThe acid hits and he takes another 3 points of damage. The bearded man has now taken 17 points of damage.
DeleteThe stunned guard remains standing but is still stunned. His weapon falls from his limp hands.
ReplyDeleteThe other guard draws and fires another arrow, this time at Thorvald's back as he flanks the lieutenant. He hits and deals 3 points of damage.
The lieutenant, flanked as he is, takes a step to his left and engages Thorvald directly shouting "Sauss, I'll deal with you shortly!" He swings his halberd and connects, dealing 14 points of damage.
(Bow attack: 13+3=16, d6 = 3 damage. Halberd attack: 16+6 = 22, d10+6 = 14 damage.)
Jul loads his heavy crossbow and fires at the lieutenant,
Delete((ranged attack 19+3=21, damage 3))
Your attack hits and deals 3 damage for a total of 20 points of damage.
DeleteDolgi fires another arrow at the bow wielding guard, who is not stunned.
ReplyDelete((Attack=11+4+1=16))
((Damage, if hits=3+1=4))
He falls to the ground with an arrow in his chest.
DeleteThor takes a step towards the lieutenant and plants his feet, calling upon Thunor's Vengeance to deliver a mighty blow.
ReplyDelete((Power Attack: -1 attack roll, +2 damage rolls
((Reckless Abandon: -1 AC, +1 attack rolls
((Attack Roll: 1d20 + 6(hit) + 1(mgc wep) = 19 + 6 + 1 = 26
((Dmg Roll: 2d6 + [4*1.5](str) + 1(mgc wep) + 2 (Power Attack) = 4 + 2 + 6 + 1 + 2 = 15
((Penalty: -1 AC for 1 round due to reckless abandon
((Rage Rounds Used: 2/16
((Thor's hit points are currently 35 - 3 - 14 = 18))
DeleteYour attack hits and tears a gash across his chain mail. He yelps in pain and appears to be tottering before regaining his balance and snarling at you.
DeleteWith a sharp whistle Draymun commands Kumo to maintain distance as the Dwarf bursts forth from the treeline, hammer drawn. He dashes into a flanking position before "dropping the hammer" on his wounded foe.
ReplyDelete(( Attack 1d20+4 Str, 19+4 = 23
(( Damage 1d8+3, 6+3 = 9
The blow takes him square on the back of the head and he drops to the ground in a heap.
DeleteRayla fires her crossbow at the stricken guard.
ReplyDelete((1d20=20, 1d20=10 to hit
damage 1d8= 2))
Then seeing Thor's wounds begins moving toward him.
DeleteYour crossbow bolt takes the stunned guard low in the stomach and he begins to bleed profusely.
DeleteShade casts at the stunned guard with his acid, hoping to end the guard here and now. (16+1 vs touch AC, dmg 1)
ReplyDeleteStunned as he is, the guard makes no move to dodge your acid and it takes him hard again in the stomach and he falls, dead. Never having made a sound.
Delete