[TheLongRoad] The Road to Thustrata

[foproy]

shadefire fires 2 shots at the thing while khelos runs up and attacks

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2 bowshots
atk: 1http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3519453/
damage:1d6=3
atk2: 1d20+5=20
damage:1d6=3

khelos
1d20+4=22+1 ad to activate
damage 1d10+2=7

[LordKruelos]

Also check the math on that bleed save, i think i should be bleeding

I don't think so, it follows a different DC model.
Bleed: An opponent struck with the weapon must make a
successful Fortitude save (DC equal to the damage after DR and
Resistances are applied) or begin bleeding.

[Catodon]

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yep, I just checked, does not follow the usual 10+(1/2xdamage). Sainrith is still going to keep trying with his attacks anyway, like I said its a numbers game

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assuming Var is able to lift me out of sprawl so I don’t need to Reposition…

Sainrith

Sainrith feels his nerves steady as Var brings his commanding presence into the room and is doubly relieved when the Orc-blood lifts him onto his feet. Sainrith flits atop Epsyir and the stallion dashes out of tenticle range then wheels around bow ready. (click to show/hide) This round set up a shot... Half action saddle-up. Half action ride Epsiyr (max move 70) to the far end of the blood splat (at the point of the star below the word ‘tunnel’). Note: bow has cavalry quality and unless the creature moves I have line of sight. The creature might get cover but at least FC allows you to fire into a melee.

[LordKruelos]

Accidentally goofed, does anyone have a cache version of Round 3?

[spinningdice]

Var attacks, now that nothing is in his way he tries to finish the creature quickly.

Grimmar pauses for barely a second as shoulder starts to bleed before launching himself at the creature with a chilling roar

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Var
Attack and Attack again
1: 1d20+6=26 (AD to Activate)
dmg: 1d8+4=5 (AP2)
2: 1d20+6=12
dmg: 1d8+4=10 (AP2)
Grimmar
Opponent counts as flanked for Grimmar, due to Wolfpack Mastery
1: 1d20+4+4=18
dmg: 1d10+3+1d6=11 (incl sneak att for Wolfpack)
2: 1d20+4+4=10
dmg: 1d10+3+1d6=10
Hopefully got all that right, thought about trying to trip it, but hopefully it won't last too long.

[Catodon]

Sainrith

Sainrith laughs lightly “see fellows the plan is working pretty well, now fall back into the light” Then his smile drops and a stillness comes over him as he raises his bow and fires. Epsyir strikes his fore-hoof against the stone and nieghs. (click to show/hide) Taunt Shadefire…Just kidding Ok for serious using his bow with cavalry quality: half action assume Deadshot stance +2 to hit and damage but may not move. half action fire arrow +8 at 50’ -4 Deadshot +2 Roll1d20+6 1d20+6=22 Damage AP2 with Bleed (+2 more if standard foe) 1d4+2 1d4+2=3

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OOC: It’s touching everyone rushing to my aid but the basic idea (as I indicated in character before the fight) was to draw the thing out so we choose the battleground instead of fighting it in a dark confined tunnel. Get it in the light and I can use practiced shot which should guarentee a hit for bleed and 3-6 damage everytime.

[LordKruelos]

GM's Note: Anyone without Darkvision is considered to be fighting in:
Outside the light of Var's lantern light, sitting on the ground near Wallace counts as Faint light -- Visual Increment –40 ft.  +4 to targets' Defenses

Everything inside the yellow circle is lit by Var's lantern, equivalent to
Dim (e.g. dawn, dusk, or torchlight) –20 ft. +2 to opposing defenses.

Moving across the bodies counts as 10ft of movement.

[LordKruelos]

ooc: just to be sure, the rough tunnel is unlit but the area Sainrith has light. Right?

Everything inside the yellow circle is lit by Var's lantern, so that's equivalent to
Dim (e.g. dawn, dusk, or torchlight) –20 ft. +2 to opposing defenses.

[spinningdice]

Okay, sorry - think I missed that plan, I've already posted and it feels wrong to change it once dice have been rolled, even if they are just virtual dice.
Next turn falling back (unless it looks like it's about to die anyway, in which case we might as well just finish it off - though it looks like it's pretty tough).

Also it looks like Grimmar has no darkvision!

[LordKruelos]

(sigh, I may have accidentally edited the previous turn to oblivion)

Vár

Var attacks, now that nothing is in his way he tries to finish the creature quickly.

Grimmar pauses for barely a second as shoulder starts to bleed before launching himself at the creature with a chilling roar

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Var
Attack and Attack again
1: 1d20+6=26 (AD to Activate)
dmg: 1d8+4=5 (AP2)
2: 1d20+6=12
dmg: 1d8+4=10 (AP2)
Grimmar
Opponent counts as flanked for Grimmar, due to Wolfpack Mastery
1: 1d20+4+4=18
dmg: 1d10+3+1d6=11 (incl sneak att for Wolfpack)
2: 1d20+4+4=10
dmg: 1d10+3+1d6=10
Hopefully got all that right, thought about trying to trip it, but hopefully it won't last too long.

After jerking Sainrith to his feet, Vár measures the distance and strikes, landing a solid strike deep in a vital spot, making the creature pause and shudder briefly before pressing forward. In that moment, Grimmar struck, as often the two had struck in tandem before, though the armor of the creature blunts some of the impact. And still the monster moves forward.

Vár 1st strike. Critical hit. (-5 Wounds)
Grimmar 1st strike dmg: 1d10+3+1d6=11 (incl sneak att for Wolfpack) 
-2DR (-9 Vitality)

As Vár readies his second strike, however, the fuzzy blurring target was not where he expects, similarly Grimmar misses, biting on air.

I'm going to apply 2 of my personal house rules 1) that a Trip attempt can be made with a free attack and 2) that Trip attacks may also be made with Athletics.

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Benefit: Once per round when an adjacent opponent attacks you and misses, you gain a free attack against him. If this attack hits, it inflicts only 1/2 damage (rounded up).

TRIP
1 Half Action • Attack Action
The character attempts to trip an adjacent opponent whose Size may be no larger than 1 category bigger than his own. The characters make an opposed Acrobatics check. The bigger character gains a +2 bonus per Size category of difference. If the character wins, the opponent becomes sprawled; otherwise, the tripping character becomes flat-footed.

Deep Horror Athletics III (Str) +8, +2 (Tentacle's trip quality) + 2 (Large vs Medium target)
Var Athletics +8 = 5 + 3(Str)
1d20+12=30, 1d20+8=20

Sprawled: A character is sprawled when he’s knocked off his feet. He is flat-footed and suffers a –2 penalty with all attack checks. This condition is lost when the character Repositions (see page 220).

Flat-Footed: The character loses his Dexterity bonus to Defense (if positive), as well as all dodge bonuses to Defense. He may also be targeted with a variety of special effects, such as sneak attack damage. The flat-footed condition is lost when the character takes a half or full action, or is successfully attacked.

Var is Sprawled and Flat-Footed
Var Defense while Flat-footed and Sprawled: Defense: 13 = 10 + 1(Captain)  +2 from Var's Guard Yourselves

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Cadre: Your leadership inspires your team to excellence. Once per scene as a free action, you may temporarily grant your teammates 1 of your Basic Combat feats until the end of the scene.
LIGHTNING REFLEXES Benefit: Your base Reflex save bonus increases by +3. You may also roll twice when making Initiative checks, keeping the result you prefer.
Guard Yourselves!: +2 morale bonus to Defense to you and each teammate who can see or hear you

Shadefire
Shadefire hesitates to fire into the furious melee.

Khelos attacks
1d20+4=8
1d20+4=20
1d10+2=5

The dire wolf's follow up attacks are less successful
(-3 Vitality to Deep Horror)

Sainrith

Sainrith

Sainrith laughs lightly “see fellows the plan is working pretty well, now fall back into the light” Then his smile drops and a stillness comes over him as he raises his bow and fires. Epsyir strikes his fore-hoof against the stone and nieghs. (click to show/hide) using his bow with cavalry quality: half action assume Deadshot stance +2 to hit and damage but may not move. half action fire arrow +8 at 50’ -4 Deadshot +2 Roll1d20+6 1d20+6=22 Damage AP2 with Bleed (+2 more if standard foe) 1d4+2 1d4+2=3

(-3 Vitality)

Wallace

Wallace stand still, unmoving, by the portcullis, Vár's lantern sitting on floor beside him.

An Unseen Combatant

In this moment, Vár's lantern sitting on floor beside Wallace is extinguished (none of the PCs are watching it, so this is all you know), plunging the Crypts into darkness.

GM's Note: Anyone without Darkvision
The Wine cellars are still lit by Faerie fire, but every square of the crypts and the tunnel beyond not adjacent to the portcullis (which could as Faint light -- Visual Increment –40 ft.  +4 to targets' Defenses) drops to No light  (Visual Increment Visual increment Drops to 0 ft. +8  to targets' Defenses)

The Limestone Tunnels - Round 4
(Click link for battle map)

Note: Another personal house rule:
Anyone in combat and unable to detect the source of the damage take Stress damage equal to any other damage they suffer each round.

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18 Deep Horror (+4) 14 = 18 [Described in post]
16 Var and Grimmar (+3) 13 = 16
14 Shadefire (and Khelos) (+4) 10 = 14
11 Sainrith (+8) 3 = 11
07 Wallace (+3) 4 = 7
05 Unseen Combatant

Deep Horror

The Deep Horror is not bothered in the slightest by the loss of light and pours its hate and hunger into its strikes, hitting the sprawled orc first.   (click to show/hide) 5 ft step toward Var @ Var (Def 13 (DR 4)) @Deep Horror (+3) Bite [1d10/18-20]+ 2(Str) (reach 1) 1d20+3=14 1d10+2=12 +3 from GM Action dice 1d6.extra(6)=3 Var's DR reduces this damage from 15 to 11 Var takes 11 Vitality damage Var is Sprawled and Flat-Footed (remaining Flat-footed until losing Sprawled) @Var Deep Horror (+6) Tentacle slap [1d10/20]+ 2(Str) (bleed; reach 1; trip) (total reach 3) 1d20+6=18, 1d10+2=10 Var's DR reduces this damage from 10 to 6 Var takes 6 Vitality damage Var Save vs Bleed (DC 6) 1d20+4=23 @Grimmar (Def 12)  +2 morale bonus to Defense [30 vitality, 15 wounds] Deep Horror (+6) Tentacle slap [1d10/20]+ 2(Str) (bleed; reach 1; trip) (total reach 3) 1d20+6=7, 1d10+2=12 @Grimmar (Def 12)  +2 morale bonus to Defense Deep Horror (+6) Claw [1d8/20]+ 2(Str) (reach 2) 1d20+6=23, 1d8+2=9 Grimmar dodges the unseen tentacle by instinct alone but feels the *snap* of the giant claw too late to dodge Grimmar is Bleeding and acting. 1d4=1 Grimmar takes 10 Vitality damage and is Bleeding @Khelos (Def 11) (v/W 15/20)  +2 morale bonus to Defense Deep Horror (+6) Claw [1d8/20]+ 2(Str) (reach 2) 1d20+6=25, 1d8+2=9 +GM AD (1d6) 1d6.extra(6)=8 Khelos takes 17 damage as the second mighty claw snaps at the wolf. Khelos was already down 11 Vitality, so Khelos is at 0 Vitality, and 7 Wound points remaining (20-13) and has the condition Fatigue I Fatigued (I–IV + special): The character may not Run. Further, his Speed drops by 5 ft., his Strength score drops by 2, and his Dexterity score drops by 2 per grade he suffers (e.g. at fatigued II, a character’s Speed drops by 10 ft. and his Strength and Dexterity scores drop by 4 each). If a character with fatigued IV is fatigued again, he instead falls unconscious. A character loses 1 fatigued grade at the end of each scene and for each full hour of sleep.

Plunged into darkness, the party is fighting desperately against enemies known and unknown.

Cumulative Damage Tracking:
Var [16/33 vitality, 14/14 Wounds] and Sprawled and Flat-Footed
Sainrith [29/39 vitality, 8/8 Wounds]
Grimmar [4/30 vitality, 15/15 Wounds] and Bleeding
Khelos [0/15 vitality 7/20 Wounds] and Fatigue I
Deep Horror -27 vitality, -10 Wounds

Next turn posts Tuesday

[Catodon]

Sainrith

When darkness falls Sainrith drops his total focus on the bow and calls “Wallace get the lantern! Let’s not dance in the dark! finishing with a curse ”Sun King desert us and fall to hell!”. Before he has said his piece Epsiyr is already hastily trotting for the portal. In the the cellar side the little stallion wheels around, Sainrith’s bow ready for whatever comes out of the dark. (click to show/hide) Note A: I had not added the +1 size modifier to Sainrith’s defence. His base should be 16, currently 18 with Var’s buff. Note B: I’m hoping the calling to Wallace will snap him out of his combat paralysis enough just to get him to grab for the lantern. Free actions: return to normal stance and call out. Half action move to the far side of the corridor beyond the portculis and as far across the cellar as I can while maintaining line of sight to Shadefire’s position (ignoring the darkness) at the end of round 4. Epsiyr moves at 70! Then…  If creature is visible half action attack OR If the creature is still in the dark assume Deadshot Stance.

[spinningdice]

"Everyone Back" shouts Var as he rolls back to his feet, even his cape doesn't allow him to see in total darkness and this creature is powerful enough to be a nightmare in the dark.

Grimmar falls back, reluctantly, though he'd relish a fight to the death with the creature he can't fight it without even the light of the moon to see by.

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Var
1/2 action reposition back onto his feet, the other 1/2 action to retreat back towards the portcullis, I'll probably be on rear-guard, so I'll try and parry the 1st hit on me and shield block the 2nd if possible (and I can see the argument for disallowing it in the dark).
Grimmar takes a move action towards the portcullis and will wait there unless there's something obvious to bite or something else obvious to do.

[LordKruelos]

(I swear, the PCs are far more handicapped by player attrition than anything the monsters are throwing at you)

"Everyone Back" shouts Var as he rolls back to his feet, even his cape doesn't allow him to see in total darkness and this creature is powerful enough to be a nightmare in the dark.

Grimmar falls back, reluctantly, though he'd relish a fight to the death with the creature he can't fight it without even the light of the moon to see by.

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Var
1/2 action reposition back onto his feet, the other 1/2 action to retreat back towards the portcullis, I'll probably be on rear-guard, so I'll try and parry the 1st hit on me and shield block the 2nd if possible (and I can see the argument for disallowing it in the dark).
Grimmar takes a move action towards the portcullis and will wait there unless there's something obvious to bite or something else obvious to do.

GM Note: Since actions can't be split, I'm slightly modifying Grimmar's action to essentially be a harrying/delaying action while Var regains his feet and pulls back.

TIRE
1 Half Action • Attack Action
The character tries to force an adjacent target onto the
defensive. He and his target make an opposed Resolve check.
If the character wins, the opponent suffers 1d6 subdual damage
that ignores Damage Reduction and Resistances; otherwise, the
character becomes flat-footed.

1d20+1=10, 1d20=12

As Vár scrambles to his feet and orders the party to fall back, his faithful companion, Grimmar buys him time, snapping and snarling at the darkness, harrying the advance of the beast.

Grimmar continues to ignore the bleeding, and takes 3 Vitality damage.
1d4=3

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Cadre: Your leadership inspires your team to excellence. Once per scene as a free action, you may temporarily grant your teammates 1 of your Basic Combat feats until the end of the scene.
LIGHTNING REFLEXES Benefit: Your base Reflex save bonus increases by +3. You may also roll twice when making Initiative checks, keeping the result you prefer.
Guard Yourselves!: +2 morale bonus to Defense to you and each teammate who can see or hear you

Shadefire
Shadefire falls back on Var's command. As he passes Wallace, he notes his companion is standing stiffly, unmoving in the glow of the faerie fire.

Khelos retreats.

Sainrith

Sainrith

When darkness falls Sainrith drops his total focus on the bow and calls “Wallace get the lantern! Let’s not dance in the dark! finishing with a curse ”Sun King desert us and fall to hell!”. Before he has said his piece Epsiyr is already hastily trotting for the portal. In the the cellar side the little stallion wheels around, Sainrith’s bow ready for whatever comes out of the dark. (click to show/hide) Note A: I had not added the +1 size modifier to Sainrith’s defence. His base should be 16, currently 18 with Var’s buff. Note B: I’m hoping the calling to Wallace will snap him out of his combat paralysis enough just to get him to grab for the lantern. Free actions: return to normal stance and call out. Half action move to the far side of the corridor beyond the portculis and as far across the cellar as I can while maintaining line of sight to Shadefire’s position (ignoring the darkness) at the end of round 4. Epsiyr moves at 70! Then…  If creature is visible half action attack OR If the creature is still in the dark assume Deadshot Stance.

Sainrith is not able to see the creature, so he assumes Deadshot Stance

Wallace

Silence.

An Unseen Combatant

No action discernible to the PCs.

GM's Note: Anyone without Darkvision
The Wine cellars are still lit by Faerie fire, but every square of the crypts and the tunnel beyond not adjacent to the portcullis (which could as Faint light -- Visual Increment –40 ft.  +4 to targets' Defenses) drops to No light  (Visual Increment Visual increment Drops to 0 ft. +8  to targets' Defenses)

The Limestone Tunnels - Round 5
(Click link for battle map)

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18 Deep Horror (+4) 14 = 18 [Described in post]
16 Var and Grimmar (+3) 13 = 16
14 Shadefire (and Khelos) (+4) 10 = 14
11 Sainrith (+8) 3 = 11
07 Wallace (+3) 4 = 7
05 Unseen Combatant

Deep Horror

The Deep Horror advances through the darkness, swiping at Grimmar and striking at Var with his long, shadowy tentacles.   (click to show/hide) Actions: Standard Move + Standard Attack + 1 Free Attack (Swift Attack NPC quality) STANDARD ATTACK 1 Half Action • Attack Action The character makes 1 attack against 1 target. @Var (Defense: 14, DR 4) Deep Horror (+6) Tentacle slap [1d10/20]+ 2(Str) (bleed; reach 1; trip) (total reach 3) 1d20+6=18, 1d10+2=11 Vár attempts to Parry this attack. I'm going to rule that the +8 modifier to target's Defense from total darkness gets added to the Parry DC. I hope you'll agree this is fair (DC 26 is steep, but it is the equivalent of trying to parry a Displacer Beast's tentacle in the pitch black -- no easy task. PARRY Initiative Action (Forte): The character uses his hands or weapon to knock an incoming attack aside. Once per round when the character’s not flat-footed, after he’s been hit by a melee or unarmed attack but before damage is rolled, he may make a Reflex save (DC equal to the attack check result). With success, the damage drops to 0 (though any special effects from the attack are still felt). The character may take this action a number of times per combat equal to the number of Melee Combat feats he has (min. 1). Reflex Save (DC 26) 1d20+5=11 Var's DR reduces damage (11 - DR 4) = 7 Var Fortitude save vs Bleed (DC 11) 1d20+4=23 Succeeds. @Grimmar (Def 12)  +2 morale bonus to Defense [30 vitality, 15 wounds] Deep Horror (+6) Tentacle slap [1d10/20]+ 2(Str) (bleed; reach 1; trip) (total reach 3) 1d20+6=19, 1d10+2=8

Var tries to anticipate the incoming attack but it comes from an unexpected direction, unseen in the darkness, lashing into his side (-7 Vitality).

Faithful Grimmar is also struck by a horned tentacle, ripping a gaping wound in the vargyr's hide (8 damage).



Cumulative Damage Tracking:
Var [16/33 vitality, 14/14 Wounds]
Sainrith [29/39 vitality, 8/8 Wounds]
Grimmar [0/30 vitality, 8/15 Wounds] and Bleeding, Fatigue I
Khelos [0/15 vitality 7/20 Wounds] and Fatigue I
Deep Horror -27 vitality, -10 Wounds

Next turn posts Thursday

[spinningdice]

[orcish]"One foe at a time. Back Grimmar"[/orcish] Letting Grimmar through the portcullis first, Var dashes through the portcullis turning to set his spear against the creature's onslaught in entranceway.

Grimmar snarls but heads back out through the portcullis a moment before Var throws his weight on it. The beast's breathing is getting laboured as his blood slowly drains from the gouged flesh on his side.

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Var
1/2 action move to the centre just behind the portcullis (trying to stop the creature actually getting into wine cellar.
Then since I can't ready or Total Defence with 1/2 an action I'll try Anticipate (1d20+3=10). Again I'll also Parry the first hit on me and Shield Block the second (if applicable). If the creature comes into even faint light I should be back with a chance of hitting it.
Grimmar Move and Move (if req) to get up against the far wall, if he can he'll grab/prompt one of the stationary party members to go with him - out of reach of the approaching tentacles.

Yes I know [orcish] isn't a real tag...

[LordKruelos]

1/2 action move then try and heave the portcullis down
Athletics Check if you want it: 1d20+8=12 he will spend an AD if it looks like it will make a difference.
Yes I know [orcish] isn't a real tag...

GM Note: Before this executes, I want to make sure this is what you want (or if you want to change this)-- it's going to be pretty unlikely for Var's weight alone to be sufficient to bring it down, and if it succeeds, it will have either snapped the ropes or damaged the mechanical apparatus, which will make it much harder to raise up and impossible to stay up unless braced or the (mostly concealed) apparatus is repaired/re-roped.