Okay folks, it looks like those three woodsmen weren't as nice as they seemed (or at least Kleggy definately wasn't). You've been marched right into an ambush and they've got bows and arrows as well!
Okay, so present and (hopefuly) participating in this little scrud* are:
Godric, half elven cleric
Hasta, dwarven apprentice spellslinger
Amras Tarsatir, elven magician's apprentice
Shenaistos Morningmist, elven warrior
Kharis of Sheldomar, human holy warrior
Garrick, elven ne'er do well
Sir Throgrin Deepslayer, dwarven noble knight
Opposing them are:
Garlan (ringleader with a well made two handed club)
Kleggy, vindictive scoundrel without a conscience (possibly an old associate of Garlan's)
Brud, biggood natured guy who "just got talked into it"
Aldred, frightened teenager
Kerrig & Lentarn, bandit bowmen and long time associates of Garlan
I'll get a map up in a bit and roll initiative for people but for now, suffice it to say that the two bowmen are somewhere nearby in the woods, Garlan and the brawlers are out on the road on the other side of the cart. The woodsmen's "clubs" will be giving them attack penalties (improvised weapons, although how can you get an improvised club as that's basicaly what it is anyway?). Garlan and the archers won't have any such problems. Also, obviously the bowmen won't be able to do ranged subdual damage because arrows sort of do real damage and it wouldn't be easy to "just bruise and knock people out" with arrows unless they had large rubber heads or something :p.
So anyway, I'll get initiative and a map sorted and then we shall let battle commence :).
Hmm, I still need to find portraits for Godric, Amras & Garrick. We might have to make do with some temporary ones for now but hopefuly it'll all get sorted out in the long run.
If I've got the space I'll move* to get many as I can in 15' cone & cast Colour Spray (will save DC 15).
* If necessary I'll just take 5' move. If I've got space I'll cast then go defensive.
Okay, well here's some initiative rolls for now:
Group 1:
Shenaistos 22
Garlan 20
Kerrig 18
Lentarn 10
Group 2:
Brud 9
Garrick 8
Hasta 8
Kharsis & Thorgrin 7 (exactly simultaneous)
Group 3:
Amras 4
Godric 4
Aldred 4
Kleggy 1
Wow, how low can these dice go?
In theory we could do this one without a map but since there are 13 combatants I think I'll use a map. I haven't really got one prepared so we'll use a premade one of some ruins beside a river and pretend that the river's the forest.
Here's a map. I'll put the other party members on in a bit (just looking for portraits). Then I'll add the initiative order down the side in nice easy recognisable terms.
Looking at the map I'll change my spell to sleep if they're that far away. Either way I'm casting
Shen smiles grimly and calls, "You'll regret tangling with us, I promise you. Leave now, and mayhap we will forget about this incident." He then draws his bow back and lets fly an arrow at Garlan, thinking that drawing first blood from the group's leader may be enough to frighten them off. To be on the safe side, however, he sidesteps to put the bulk of the cart between himself and the enemy archers.
If this move would put me within 10' of an enemy (hard to tell exactly where the cart is on the map), I'll drop my bow before moving and draw my sword during the move.
Kharsis' horse makes some kind of volte-face so that he now faces the group around the cart. The young man then locks the pole of his spear under his arms, and throws a warning while troting in the direction of the foes:
"Shen is right! Go away now and we might forget about the little wrong you comitted. Otherwise, you should see that justice as well as number is on our side!"
Intimidate seems appropriate.
While privately gratified that she's been picked out as special for some reason, Hasta is less impressed by the bandits' preference for attempting to murder her companions.
"Brud, Aldred!" she calls out. "I thought we were getting on well! What are you doing with this bunch of bandits? You can't be serious, attacking well-armed and armoured knights with logs? What do you think attacking a cleric of Pelor and a paladin of Allitur will do to your souls?"
Okay, here's a starting map.
Group 1: Shenaistos lets loose an arrow (total attack roll 6). He manages to hit the cart.
Garlan curses, urging his minions on, clearly that shot had him worried for a minute.
Kerrig takes a shot at Shenaistos (hoping to put down a potential troublemaker). Attack roll 8: he misses.
Lentarn takes a pot shot at Thorgrin because he's near the front and he looks tough (so he wants to try and take him out early). Attack roll 11. I think that just skims the dwarf's armour or clips his cloak or something.
Okay then, time for group 2:
Brud advances cautiously, he doesn't want to hurt anyone if he doesn't have to.
Garrick walks up to the near side of the cart and speaks some magic words. Crazy clashing colours spring from his hands and engulfe Kleggy, Aldred and quite possibly Garlan as well.
Saves at 15:
Kleggy 16
Aldred 10
Garlan 16
Aldred is unconscious for 5 rounds, after which he shall remain blinded and stunend for a further 4 rounds and then he'll be stunend for another 1.
Kleggy was looking at Aldred and Garlan saw something magic was going to happen and turned away (he didn't want to get burned in the face, or whatever it is these wizards do).
Given Garrick's spell I'm offering Kharsis the chance to change his action (since there's a man with a club standing shortly in front of his horse). Does he want to advance or stay put?
Of course there's a chance the man'll get out of the horse's way even at a walk but there's no knowing.
Wow. I thought the cart would be a little larger than that. I'd like to change my move if possible. I'll move toward the forest (and the archers :icon_evil:) to eliminate Garlan's cover from the cart.
Okay, I'll move you (the attack roll was still too low to hit). Those npc saves were a bit godly but I reckon old Kleggy's going to lay into Aldred while he's down ('cause he's kind of vindictive like that). I'm not happy with the cart. I was thinking of making it a 2 by 1 cart but didn't get round to it (so I might tweak it's size).
Quote from: Balgin Stondraeg on March 27, 2008, 01:03:19 PM
Given Garrick's spell I'm offering Kharsis the chance to change his action (since there's a man with a club standing shortly in front of his horse). Does he want to advance or stay put?
Of course there's a chance the man'll get out of the horse's way even at a walk but there's no knowing.
Kharsis will still give him his chance. The plan is quite the same, but more focused on Brud.
The young man will make his horse rear up when Brud comes closer, then pointing his spear at the woods man:
"This fight is obviously not yours Brud! Walk away now and let's end this quickly!"
If this man was talked into this, maybe he can be talked out...
Well I'm currently waiting for squigface & Mike to post. I might need to 3 day rule them in a bit. Brud'll react to that on his own initiative.
Once I've got actions for Thorgrin, Amras & Godric I'll be able to conclude the round & move on to round 2 (which should prove interesting considering the way things are currently looking :)).
"Come Thorgrin, let us take the fight to this godless enemy!"
I move towards Kleggy and co, seeing as I have no ranged weps or magic missiles
Hey Squigface, you haven't selected your spells for today yet. Would you like to do that now before people start moshing into one another?
I did actually, in the OOC thread. Would you like me to put my days spell lists in the respective thread from now on (i.e the one where the actual roleplaying is going on)?
Squig
Quote from: Squigface on March 30, 2008, 04:42:28 PM
I did actually, in the OOC thread. Would you like me to put my days spell lists in the respective thread from now on (i.e the one where the actual roleplaying is going on)?
Squig
Actualy it'd be easier in your character sheet thread. Hmm, in that case someone (other than Amras, that is) hasn't given me a spell list yet, or I haven't seen one. I'll go take a look.
Found it. You've got an extra 1st level slot for high wisdom that you haven't filled yet.
Thorgrin advances and chucks a javelin at Garlan which skims the thug's armour but leaves him otherwise unharmed (attack roll 10). Scowling, Kleggy advances and swings his club at Garrick (aiming to take down the unexpected spellcaster). He only gets an 8 so that's no damage, not even contact. He's clearly still being careful in case more blinding lights flash at his face.
We now move onto round 2 so that's Shenaistos & the rest of group 1 (npc's).
Maybe I missed something, but I feel like Brud had no reaction to Kharsis' attempt to intimidate him. Did he take any action?
Quote from: Chrysalis on April 01, 2008, 01:55:55 PM
Maybe I missed something, but I feel like Brud had no reaction to Kharsis' attempt to intimidate him. Did he take any action?
Not yet. He'll react on his initiative (when he gets to actualy do stuff). That's pretty soon 'though.
Trusting that his companions do not need his help to hold off the men with impromptu weapons, Shen hurries to get around behind his enemies (move 30 ft. due east, putting me within Point Blank range of Garlan). Still attempting to end this battle quickly, he looses another arrow at Garlan.
Quote from: Woojitsu on April 01, 2008, 02:05:42 PM
Trusting that his companions do not need his help to hold off the men with impromptu weapons, Shen hurries to get around behind his enemies (move 30 ft. due east, putting me within Point Blank range of Garlan). Still attempting to end this battle quickly, he looses another arrow at Garlan.
I think you've just distracted him from his current plan of advancing and smashing the horse in the neck or skull with his two handed club :).
Now we'll see how straight the arrow flies :). 23! Okay, so that's a natural 18 but it's still a hit. The arrow strikes home for a whopping 6 damage. You've definitely got his attention (which is probably not a good thing).
Garlan's been shot and the archer who shot him's standing nearby. He's going to charge on over, power attack for 1 point, and try to smash the elf's head in with his big club. He gets a 19 (crunch) for a whopping 12 damage. The elf is lying down and needs medical attention (or magical assistance) if he's going to regain consciousness again. He's at -1hp and has not stabilised yet.
Woojitsu, would you like to use a fate point to survive this attack? Lentarn was going to try to shoot Shenaistos. If you use a fate point I'd have his arrow skim Garlan's knuckles and cause him to miss as he waves his hand, curses, sucks his knuckles etc.
Kerrig takes a shot at Thorgrin and backs around the tree, attack roll 17, damage roll 6.
Once I know if you're using a fate point we can progress to group 2 which is:
Brud 9
Garrick 8
Hasta 8
Kharsis & Thorgrin 7
Well, crud*. I was really hoping that Garlan would roll low on his first couple of attacks.
Yeah, I'll use a fate point. No point dying in what's more or less just a glorified random encounter.
Hi
Will take step NE, target sleep spell NE corner of Aldred's square. If nothing happens before then.
With 10' radius burst should get 3 of them. (Garlan, Kleggy & Aldred). DC15 Will save.
Will then go defensive.
Cheers
Paul H
Quote from: Woojitsu on April 01, 2008, 04:50:34 PM
Well, crud*. I was really hoping that Garlan would roll low on his first couple of attacks.
Yeah, I'll use a fate point. No point dying in what's more or less just a glorified random encounter.
Okay then. As Garlan charges, Lentarn tries to shoot Shenaistos from behind. The arrow whistles over the elf's shoulder and sticks into the big club. Garlan stops dumbfounded and stares at it quivering there, trying to work out how the elf managed to shoot again so quickly he didn't even see him load.
That's Garlan & Lentarn's actions taken care of nicely. Shenaistos is unharmed.
Seeing a horse bearing down upon him Brud backs off, the tip of his club dipping.
Garrick steps back and casts a sleep spell on Kleggy, Garlan and the already unconscious Aldred. Saves are Garlan 18 (lucky git), Kleggy 6 and Aldred 9 (but he's unconscious anyway). Since it's Garrick's initiative again Aldred's now been unconscious for 1 round (4 more to go and then there's all the rest too).
Both Kleggy and Aldred are also asleep for 10 rounds too.
Can I have actions for Hasta, Kharsis and Thorgrin please? I expect the dwarf's about to charge the guy who shot him (unless Mike pops up and says otherwise).
IC: Moving up behind Garrick, Hasta chants quickly in an arcane language and gestures towards Garlan. As she completes the spell, his club suddenly begins to feel quite slippery...
OOC: Moves 20' NE to the square SW of Garrick on the current map, casts Grease on Garlan's club - DC14 Reflex save to avoid dropping the club. I'm not quite sure how diagonal squares are counted distance-wise - assuming just the same as side to side at 5'/square, this puts me just in range. If this is illegal, she holds off for this round.
Kharsis will go on moving near Brud, adding:
"You've made the right choice Brud. Now, just step aside while we finish this, we'll not harm you."
Saying this, the young paladin will make his horse go a little faster, moving somewhere in the bottom right corner of the map, then facing the Garlan-Kleggy-Aldred trio from afar. Next step: taking momentum...
Quote from: Rod the Worm on April 02, 2008, 08:47:29 AM
I'm not quite sure how diagonal squares are counted distance-wise
They're counted as one and a half (one three one three one three).
Can you cast grease on an item? I thought it was generaly slapped on the floor for everyone to start slipping up and falling flat on their arses.
I've moved her in to get in range for next round. Amras moves up into the trees for cover against the bowmen. Thorgrin hefts his axe and moves towards Kerrig (he can combine that with a move but I'm not so sure about charging).
Can we have an action for Godric please? Once that's out of the way we're on to round 3 :).
I try to put a sizable dent in Kleggy with my heavy mace.
Squig
Hi
Squig - Kleggy is on of the one's already down. Garlan's the one still standing (for now).
Of course you could move up and start a coup-de-grace. (Full-round action that'll probably kill him)
If we can take prisoners we can find out what's happening - are they after the box we're carrying, or are they just bandits? We could just administer justice ourselves (slit their throats), but my choice is to turn them in for any bounty, (after we've 'salvaged' all their gear). :icon_twisted:
As long as I'm not in any immediate danger I'll see if I can cast sleep on the 2 archers in the scrubland.
Garrick looks around and calls out to the bandits:
"Just leave your all weapons & stuff on the ground and leave - we'll probably call it even...."
If Kleggy is unconsious, I take the rope out of my pack and tie him up (I'm pretty sure I have some rope). If he's not I attempt to knock him unconsious. If he's gone into -hp I'll use a healing spell to make sure he doesent die, and then tie him up. (Note, shield propped up against my back for safety.)
Squig
Quote from: PaulH on April 02, 2008, 01:57:58 PM
If we can take prisoners we can find out what's happening - are they after the box we're carrying, or are they just bandits?
They're after taking Hasta alive.
Quote from: Balgin Stondraeg on April 02, 2008, 11:59:50 AM
Can you cast grease on an item? I thought it was generaly slapped on the floor for everyone to start slipping up and falling flat on their arses.
Quote from: SRD3.5
The spell can also be used to create a greasy coating on an item. Material objects not in use are always affected by this spell, while an object wielded or employed by a creature receives a Reflex saving throw to avoid the effect. If the initial saving throw fails, the creature immediately drops the item. A saving throw must be made in each round that the creature attempts to pick up or use the greased item.
It's only going to last for a round, and he's probably more likely to give up if disarmed than fallen over.
:icon_wink:
Quote from: Balgin Stondraeg on April 02, 2008, 02:09:30 PM
They're after taking Hasta alive.
And first order of business once this is over is to find out why! What did I ever do to them?
Quote from: Rod the Worm on April 03, 2008, 05:39:26 AM
Quote from: Balgin Stondraeg on April 02, 2008, 02:09:30 PM
They're after taking Hasta alive.
And first order of business once this is over is to find out why! What did I ever do to them?
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why this is not "just a glorified random encounter" as someone claimed :p. Okay, so I'm waiting to hear from Squigface before cleaning up the end of this round. I know he's already posted but in light of Paul's post (who beat me to it quite honestly), he might want to reconsider (although getting closer's probably a good idea anyway at the moment).
Quote from: Squigface on April 02, 2008, 02:08:40 PM
If Kleggy is unconsious, I take the rope out of my pack and tie him up (I'm pretty sure I have some rope). If he's not I attempt to knock him unconsious. If he's gone into -hp I'll use a healing spell to make sure he doesent die, and then tie him up. (Note, shield propped up against my back for safety.)
Squig
Ah, okay. So he gets his rope out and moves over to Kleggy. Map's coming in a bit. On to round 3 we're at Shenaistos again (and Garlan, Kerrig and Lentarn).
Now that he sees Garlan's massive club up close, Shen realizes that he may have made an error in judgment. He cautiously begins circling his opponent (5 ft. step puts me due east of Garlan, meaning that he provides me soft cover against the archers), drops his currently useless bow to the ground, and draws his longsword. Trying to take advantage of the opening in the overbalanced Garlan's defences, Shen swings his sword in a two-handed chop, putting every ounce of his strength into the blow.
Shen's attack 12: just a miss.
Garlan attack back (no power attack) 6 total. That's a major miss.
Casting aside his bow aside, Kerrig charges Thorgin and swings wide (10).
Lentarn tries to shoot Kharsis and hits (15) for 8 damage. The light horse (75gp) isn't going to take well to this. To control it require ride checks.
We now move on to group 2 which is Brud, Garrick, Hasta, Kharsis & Thorgrin.
Continuing towards Garlan, Hasta casts Grease on his club.
"Give it up - you're out-manned and only going to make it worse on yourself!" she calls.
Kharsis will try to keep his horse steady. Considering the threat that wasn't obvious to him, he will then try to gallop in the direction of Lentarn, tightening his grip on his spear.
Okay, let's finish this round then.
Brud sees Kleggy being tied up and moves a little towards him but stops short when Kharsis is suddenly shot.
Garrick advances and casts Sleep on Lentarn (who rolls an 8 for his save and blatantly fails to get the required roll of something like a 15). Since it's his initiative Kleggy and Aldred now have 9 rounds sleepy time (unless woken up). If woken early Aldred also has 3 rounds unconscious, 4 rounds blind and 1 round stunned.
Hasta moves and casts Grease on Garlan's club. He drops it (rolled a 5).
Kharsis painfulf guides his horse towards Garlan and Lentarn.
Thorgrin hews at his assailant. Attack roll 21. The 10 damage he deals is enough to put the man down. Content with his work he moves towards Garlan.
Seeing the fight's almost over Amras waits in case his skills are needed. Godric starts tieing Kleggy up. Everyone else is either asleep or unconscious.
Seeing himself seriously outnumbered Garlan surrenders, cursing his luck. The fight's over now folks. Play resumes to normal freeform (although you're still technicaly in linear mode but enjoy what freedom is allowed to you :p).