At the third door
Subject The third door
OODM: There were 8643 copper pieces in the room with the Grimloks. Mainly in three very large sacks. Also the hallway of the third door turns north immediately and goes for 70 before turning west. It then goes another 60 feet west before ending in the door that Surin listened to and heard nothing.
INDM: Harp, upon hearing Surin's report, organizes the next foray. "Mund, Ran Ragnar and I will go first. Surin, Salix, Kal and Allistair will stay 30 feet back from the door, prepared to rush to our aid if we need it." Looking at the other party members for signs of dissent, he sees none, other than a flash of resentment from Kal. The three with Harp head out first and the others follow behind. They quickly arrive at the door. Harp issues his commands. "Ragnar and I will enter first, in case there is no light, as in the last room. If we can open the door and make our way in Ran and then Mund should enter. Any questions?" There are none. Harp motions for Ragnar to lift the bar on the door and push it open. The room is again dark, and the two can see nothing from the door.
OODM: OK guys what do you want to do?
I have made a new map but for some reason it does not want to upload at Sakeriver. I will contact Mike there about it .
From: Kevin
Subject The third door
OOC: Mark, would Harp (and Ragnar) be surprised that he cannot see into this darkness?
From: Jason
Subject The third door
I got the idea that we can see into it, and there's just nothing there within the limits of our vision, which I believe is 60 feet or so. Is that correct?
Fight in the third room, rounds 1 and 2
Subject The third door
Maybe I mis-spoke. They can see into the room, it is just that they can not see anything in the little bit of room they can see into.
From: Mark
Subject The third door
Yes, actually you can see the other wall, the one opposite of you.
From: Kevin
Subject The third door
OOC: Thanks, it does make a difference. Normal darkness Harp can see in is one thing, magical darkness he cannot is something all together different.
IC: Harp peers into the dark room through the open door. He can see nothing, but can barely make out the other side of the room. It is dark, but that does not affect him. With his sword, he reaches out and pushes the door open more, letting as much light in as possible. He whispers to Surin "Do you see any type of trap on the doorway?" If the answer is no, Harp will motion to Ragnar that the two of them will enter the room just barely and then place themselves with their backs to the wall, scanning as much of the rest of the room as they can. He will motion for Ranthir to be ready to follow them in if needed, but not until he either hears Harp or Ragnar call him.
If Surin does find any type of trap, Harp will motion him to disable it if he can.
OOC: This OK guys? Especially Randy and Ashley.
From: Mark
Subject the third door
Actaully Surin searched for traps after he had listened at the door earlier. He found no traps.
From: Randy
Subject The third door
Ranthir waits in the doorway with his crossbow at the ready. Just because he didn't want to attack without provocation did not mean he would abandon the defense of his friends.
From: Porter
Subject The third door
At seeing how dark it is, Mund puts up his bow and arrow and pulls out his axe and shield. By the time he can see anything, it will be too close to shoot an arrow at anyway.
As Harp and Surin cautiously probe the darkness, Mund's fingers impatiently grip the shaft of his axe. At least with Kal it wasn't so boring.
From: Ashley
Subject The third door
Surin gives a low whistle as the door creaks open and he finds himself staring at a whole lot of dark nothing through the opening. Anything could be hiding and he wouldn't even know it, so long as they stayed quiet enough. Enough of that, he tells himself to stop the ungodly shiver running through him. You ain't tellin' stories to the little ones, and there's work yet to be done.
"I already checked the doorway," he tells Harp, "but I can't speak for the area inside." He defers to Harp's leadership, somewhat relieved that he was asked to stay back.
From: Mark
Subject The third door, round 1 and 2
Round 1
In the darkness Ragnar and Harp make a dash for the far wall 30 feet away. Harp makes it with ease and turns to look at the rest of the room. Ragnar is able to hustle all the way across the room and get his back to the wall as well. The door was 30 feet north of the south wall and the north wall was another 30 feet up from the door, making the room 30' x 60'. Then Harp notices the two other things in the room. Things with many legs, ;large snapping claws and a stinger waving around on a long tail in the back. And they do not look happy.
Initiative: Harp(24),Ragnar(21), Scorpions(10)
Both of the creatures scuttle towards Harp and Ragnar, their claws making clicking noises on the stone floor. One of the scorpions (S2) tries to take a claw full out of Harp, but the chitinous claw just bangs off the metal armor (AC21, 1+6=7, miss). The other tries to separate Ragnar's head from his body. However the doughty dwarf is used to fighting in tight underground places and easily catches the claw on his shield. (AC22,2+6=8, miss)
Round 2
Initiative Harp(24),Ragnar(21), Ranthir (20), Mund (19) Scorpions(10)
Glad that his back is to the wall, Harp unleashes a vicious overhand blow at one of the claws of the scorpion that is threatening him (S2). (AC16, 14+10=24, hit, damage 8) He is gratified to see his sword penetrate the exoskeleton and some green blood ooze from the wound he had caused.
Ragnar's sword flashes in the dim light next to Harp. The sturdy dwarfs sword also connects with one of the legs of the creature in front of him (S1), severing the clawed foot from the leg. (AC16,13+7=20, hit, damage 5) However, there are plenty more feet where that one came from.
Ran looks on in horror as his friends are attacked by these skittiling creatures. He can see them clearly enough in the dim light of the hallway and they look like really big versions of the scorpions he had seen in the desert once. Quickly releasing a bolt at the scorpion closest to him (S2), Ran watches his shot bury itself in the armored body of the creature. (AC16, 10+10=20, hit, damage 4) While it looks like the bolt has no effect, Ranthir knows that you almost always have to chop scorpions to bits before then stop moving. Ran the drops his crossbow and draws his sword as he closes on the beast.
Mund sees something large and many legged in the semi darkness charging Ragnar and Harp and his heart leaps in his chest. Fight. Realizing that his bow will be almost useless in the dim light, he drops his bow and as he moves toward the beast, draws his axe and shield. As he closes he swings the axe at the tail section of the beast in front of him (S1). His axe gleams in the dim light and connects with the waving tail section (AC16,17+9=26, hit, damage 11). He howls when he sees a large section of the tail fly from the beast.
The beast attacking Harp hardly notices that there is more than one person attacking it. Both claws snap at the 1/2 orcs head. (AC21, 19+6=25, 5+6=11, hit,miss, damage 8) One of the claws grabs on to Harp's sword arm and almost crushes the arm in it's grip. The stinger flashes out of the dark(AC21, 17+1=18, miss) and Harp is just able to get his shield up in time and the stinger bounces off the metal, a sickly fluid dripping from the end of the stinger.
The other beast attacks Ragnar. (AC22, 6+6=12, 4+6=10, miss, miss.) The stinger also misses as Ragnar dodges the whipping tail end (AC22,9+1=10,miss)
OODM: OK I need round 3. I am attaching two maps, one for the room and one for the dungeon.
From: Ashley
Subject the third room
darkness = no sneak attack. :(
The rest of us can hear what's going on, right?
From: Josh
Subject Fight round 3
Do those of us who are standing back hear the fight? If so Kal charges in, attacking a scorpion if he can in time.
OOC: I love these new maps Mark, great job.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 3
Harp looks on in disgust at the creatures. He had heard of such things, but had never thought they would be so ugly. Like larger versions of the creature he had seen at the docks one time, but that thing had been called a lobster. It did not matter - he would carve these ones up as quickly as the cook at the docks had done with that lobster.
Harp and Ran had been in this position before, so Harp was pretty sure of what to expect of Ran. Harp looks around the creature, gets Ranthirs attention, motions with his head, and takes a short step to the left, placing the creature directly between Harp and the 1/2 elf. "Let's see if this thing can fight with both ends of its body" Harp thinks to himself. With the creature flanked, Harp will attack, confident Ran will do the same from the other side.
OOC: Any have an good scorpion recipies?
From: Jason
Subject Round 3
ooc: is Mund still bored? :p
Ragnar is startled to be attacked from behind when he had seen nothing moments before, but the armor on which he had spent nearly his entire inheritance once again proved its worth as the creature failed to penetrate its covering. Quickly regaining his composure, he knocks aside a clawed appendage with a swipe of his shield and slashses at it with his sword. Briefly he congragulates himself as he completely detaches one of its feet, but then notes with dismay that the creature seems untroubled by its lack.
Grimly he beats aside more swipes of the creatures claws, and is startled to feel something beat against his armor from an unexpected angle. "The scorpion's stinger!" he thinks to himself. He'll have to be more watchful of that... Ragnar knows that his people are particularly resistant to poisons but has no desire to push his luck.
He notes gratefully when Mund charges in from the rear. The barbarians great strength and furious attacks will be very useful for bringing the creature down, he knows. In the meantime, Ragnar strives to keep its full attention on himself.
OOC: Ragnar will take a step to his right, trying to flank the scorpion, and will continue attacking. Incidentally, seeing as they take up lots of room on the map, can Ragnar tell if they also have 10' reach?
From: Porter
Subject Round 3
Yelling back over his shoulder he yells "It's two giant crawdads! Anybody wanna come help kill 'em?"
Mund attacks the same crawdad again.
From: Mark
Subject Sneak attack
Actually the others are able to hear this round. They can move up towards the room if they wish.
As long as Surin can flank the target a sneak attack is possible.
From: Mark
Subject Moving into battle
Well they can start moving this turn if they wish. They were about 30 feet back from the door so it would take at least one move action just to get to the door and another to enter the room.
From: Mark
Subject Reach
For as large as they are they do not seem to have a very good reach. It is mainly that they are long and wide, but not very tall.
From: Ashley
Subject Sneak attack
so Surin has to flank it first, or just flank it as it's sneakattacking?
From: Ashley
Subject Round 3
Surin sizes up the situation quicky as best he can--it's too dark to see the critters properly, and he doesn't want to risk hurting the others so close to it. He draws his rapier, takes in a deep breath, and starts moving toward where his ears tell him the action is and trying to pick out the sounds of the crustaceans in the room.
OOC: Is there light coming from the doorway, so that it's not completely dark? Or is Surin gonna be fighting blind?
Round 3
Subject Round 3
Fight? Hmmm. I must have missed an email or two.
From: Karl
Subject Round 3
(OOC - OK, I'm mostly up to speed, I guess, but I didn't get the original email with the maps attached.)
Salix, hearing the commotion heads to the door. He moves to the side a little so Kal can pass. Better to have the impetuous Elf in front of him where he can keep an eye on him.
From: Mark
Subject Sneak attack
Here are the rules for sneak attacking damage
Sneak Attack: If a rogue can catch an opponent when he is unable to defend himself effectively from her attack, she can strike a vital spot for extra damage.
The rogue's attack deals extra damage any time her target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the rogue flanks her target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and it increases by 1d6 every two rogue levels thereafter. Should the rogue score a critical hit with a sneak attack, this extra damage is not multiplied.
Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet.
With a sap (blackjack) or an unarmed strike, a rogue can make a sneak attack that deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. She cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal damage in a sneak attack, not even with the usual --4 penalty.
A rogue can sneak attack only living creatures with discernible anatomies--undead, constructs, oozes, plants, and incorporeal creatures lack vital areas to attack. Any creature that is immune to critical hits is not vulnerable to sneak attacks. The rogue must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. A rogue cannot sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment or striking the limbs of a creature whose vitals are beyond reach.
So since there is only partial light, and Surin does not have either darkvision or low light vision, I would say that he would not be able to do sneak attack damage, since he can not get a good enough view of the creatures anatomy, to figure out where to strike.
Mund is also in the same situation. The creatures basically have partial concealment against him. Ran has low light vision and as long as the door stays open and lets light in from the hallway he will be able to see fine. Ragnar and Harp have dark vision 60 feet and can see just fine, although it might be in black and wihite.
From: Randy
Subject Round 3
And Ran does not disappoint. He moves to flank and strike hard with his sword.
From: Derek
Subject Round 3
Allistair hears the sound of battle ahead. At least this time everyone seems to be agreeing on whether to fight the adversary or not. Seeing Kal and the others charge forward into the room, Allistair runs to the entrance of the room, hopefully he can let loose a magic missle or two at the new foe they are facing.
From: Mark
Subject Round 3
Round 3
Initiative Harp (24), Ragnar (21), Ranthir (20), Mund (19) Surin (11), Allistair (10), Scorpions (10), Kal (6), Salix (6)
Harp grins as the room fills with allies. This should not take too long, he thinks. Taking a quick step to his left, and ducking under the waving claws he stabs his sword at the face of the scorpion (S2). (AC16, 9+11=20, hit, damage 9) His sword buries itself in one of the creature's eyes. Harp pulls the sword out before the claws get a grip on him.
Ragnar also takes a step, but this time to the right. Jumping over a claw (S1) that grabs for his leg, he slices down with his own sword and connects with another solid blow. (AC16, 17+9=26, hit, damage 9) His sword severs another clawed foot and now the creature wobbles a bit when it moves.
Ran sees Harp's head nod to the side and the 1/2 elf takes a step to his right, keeping the large scorpion (S2) between the two of them. As the tail whips by his head he takes another swing at it. (AC16, 12+10=22, hit, damage 3) Another chunk is taken out of the tail but the stinger is still attached.
Mund is glad to see that his axe can hurt this creature. He had heard stories about monsters that could not be hurt by normal weapons. This was just an oversized crawdaddy. Shouting to the rest of the party in the hallway "its two giant crawdads. Anybody wanna come help kill 'em?" With that he turns back and lashes out with his axe (AC16, 4+11=15, miss) at the tail, but misses it as it passes in front of him.
Surin hears the commotion from the room from his place in the hallway. Moving as fast as he can he passes through the door and steps to the side, trying to get an idea of how the fight is going before he does anything else. His one hand plays with the throwing axe at his waist.
Allistair also approaches the open door; trying to determine is his magical aid is needed.
The scorpion facing Harp attacks the 1/2 orc with both claws and its stinger. (AC21, 6+6=12, 11+6=17, 17+1=18, miss, miss, miss) The 1/2 orc is easily able to evade all three attacks, catching the last one on his shield again.
Ragnar is not so lucky. One of the claws grabs his leg and crushes the armor, pinching the flesh beneath. (AC22, 10+6=16, 19+6=25, 17+1=18, miss, hit, miss, damage 5).
Kal, hearing Munds call, charges into the room, his rapier drawn. Seeing the barbarian locked in battle, Kal rushes to his side and attacks the scorpion (S1). (AC16, 5+12=17, hit, damage 8) His rapier pierces the armored hide and slides in hilt deep. The creature shudders and as Kal pulls the rapier free it starts to try and take a step away from the two people behind it.
Salix moves up next to Allistair in the doorway, observing the combat. He remembers what he knows about scorpions and knows that they are mindless insects that will attack anything that moves.
OODM: I need round 4. I will send a map tonight when I get home.
From: Porter
Subject Round 4
Mund attacks the same creature again.
From: Randy
Subject Round 4
Ran continues to flank the creature taking his cue from Harp. He waits for his opening and when he sees it, he strikes.
From: Ashley
Subject Round 4
I'm not sure Surin will be able to get there this round. if the low level of light has the same movement consequences as darkness, he can't run or charge. Nevertheless, Surin will move as fast as his wee legs can carry him to help his much larger friends.
From: Jason
Subject Round 4
Ragnar will keep doing the same thing, except the part where he got hurt hopefully.
From: Ashley
Subject Round 4
As soon as he crosses the threshold into the room, Surin can hardly see enough to put one foot in front of the other. Cautiously, and with the dizzying feeling that every step could land him flat on his face, he moves toward the noises ahead of him as fast as he can without landing himself in an invisible hole or wall. He puts his rapier away, realizing that he can hardly fight in this situation, and brings up his trusted axe. Inching as close as he dares, he sizes up the options ahead of him. For all he could see, Harp and the rest had a handle on the situation, and Surin could only interfere. Raising his axe, Surin waits for any opening that he could take against the creature.
OOC: Does the darkness have any other effects on a miss chance with a ranged weapon? I'm thinking back to the rule that if you throw a ranged weapon into a melee and it misses by more than 4, it hits someone else. Assuming I *don't* want to hit the other folks in the party (yet), would it be a good idea to throw an axe into the mix?
The only thing I found was this rule concerning darkness: All opponents have total concealment from a blinded creature, so the blinded creature has a 50% miss chance in combat. A blinded creature must first pinpoint the location of an opponent in order to attack the right square; if the blinded creature launches an attack without pinpointing its foe, it attacks a random square within its reach. For ranged attacks or spells against a foe whose location is not pinpointed, roll to determine which adjacent square the blinded creature is facing; its attack is directed at the closest target that lies in that direction.
So*, assuming Surin is within range, and he can pinpoint one of the giant roaches, he'll hazard throwing an axe at the nearest one (unless there are some uberserious attack penalties I don't know about). This might take until next round, if Surin still has space to cover. He'll try to stay far enough away from the things' reach, if he can.
From: Mark
Subject Round 4
Well since the door is open there is light coming from the hallway. Surin is not in total darkness.
In fact there is enough light for the elves and 1/2 elves to see very clearly due to thier low light vision.
Only the humans and the halflings would have any problem and that is just some concealment.
There is a problem with throwing into combat.
Let me check the rules, however, I do not expect this to take another round. I expect they will be dead before we get to the scorpions turn.
From: Kevin
Subject Insects
OOC: The scorpions, hearing themselves referred to as mere "insects", instead of the proper Scorpiones order fo the class Arachnida, rear up in anger at the entity who summoned them here. How dare it/he/she/they refer to these majestic creatures as mere "insects"? Why, bees were insects. Scorpions were the king of the desert, not to be confused with mere 6 legged creatures. Ants had six legs. How droll.
Round 4 and clean up
Subject Round 3
Hey. Mund thought they were crawdads.
From: Josh
Subject Round 4
Kal keeps on swinging.
From: Karl
Subject Round 4
ROTFL!
From: Mark
Subject Round 4
OOC: Filled with divine power, both scorpions turn on the 1/2 orc, and using their fate point, and all six attacks are critical hits. 106 points of damage latter, Mund is having 1/2 orc and scorpion stew.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 4
OOC: There are no scorpion gods, just the scorpion king. These scorpions must be the hand picked minions of the scorpion king.
And Mund, they are related to crawdads. At least more closely than to *insects*. Uggh.
IC: Harp feels his sword strike again, biting deep into the creature. They could be hit, they could be killed. He sees Ran manuervering on the other side. Harp moves as well, keeping the creature between himself and Ran. Just a couple more strikes, and hopefully this thing would be down. Harp looks for another opening, and strikes again.
OOC: Mark, 5 ft step if needed to maintain the flanking, other than that, ginsu practice on dinner.
From: Karl
Subject Round 4
Salix steps into the doorway kicking something in the process. Looking down it appears to be a foot from one of the creatures, giant scorpions. He sees that the room is unlit except for the light from the door. He also sees that the two creatures are surrounded and looking a bit ragged. This shouldn't last much longer. In fact it should be over before he is even able to land a blow, then they would need to search for the key. He picks up the scorpion foot and says a prayer to Obad Hai to bring light. (Casts Light on the foot.)
From: Mark
Subject Round 4
Round 4
Initiative Harp (24), Ragnar (21), Ranthir (20), Mund (19) Surin (11), Allistair (10), Scorpions (10), Kal (6), Salix (6)
These things looked fearsome, and probably were against unarmed and unarmored peasants, however, he is neither, thinks Harp to himself. Taking another swing at the creature (S2) he easily hits it (AC16, 18+12=30, hit, damage 9). The creature rocks back on its many legs and starts to flounder around, its claws and stinger flailing in the air.
Ragnar blocks one of the claws of the snapping at him and tries to make a cut at the head section of the scorpion facing him (S1). However, he has to avert his blow at the last second in order to block the stinger that comes whipping in at his face. (AC16, 3+9=12, miss)
Ran watches Harp's blow stagger the creature. Hoping to finish off the creature (S2) Ran takes another swing at the flailing tail, but this time he aims for lower on the tail, closer to where it attaches to the body. He lands a solid blow (AC16, 17+10=27, hit, damage 4) and the segmented tail section falls to the floor, flopping around. It also seems that the damage was enough to kill the creature as the rest of it collapses to the floor in a twitching pile.
Mund hauls his axe back over his head and crashes it down in the middle of the carapace covering the back of the scorpion (S1) (AC16, 6+11=17, hit, damage 8). The blade crushes through the thick plate and almost cuts the creature in two. The arms stop waving and the stinger falls lifeless to the ground.
As the battle ends Salix enters the room. Looking around he picks up one of the severed feet and whispers a few words. A bright light starts emanating from the foot and soon most of the room is filled with light. "For our human and halfling friends" he says. The rest of the party enters the room and looks around. The room is empty except for a door in the north west portion of the room, on the north wall.
OODM: OK what next?
From: Porter
Subject Round 4
Sick of being mercy to the whim of whoever made this place, Mund pulls out his everburning torch in case the next room is as dark as this one.
From: Karl
Subject clean up
Can we take the DM word for it that this room is truly empty, or does it just appear empty. If the latter, Salix will move through the room, looking for any sign of a key.
From: Mark
Subject Clean up
Well You can take my word that there is nothing obvious in the room. Unlike the last two rooms, there is no key just laying on the ground. That is not to say that there is not something hidden or hard to see, but the cursury observation of 8 pairs of eyes reveals nothing.
From: Kal
Subject Clean up
If there's anything left standing by the time Kal's turn he'll just take a swing at the most opportune creature.
OOC: If that creature just happens to be Mund, well, I'll leave it up to DM's discresion. :-D
From: Jason
Subject Clean up
Ragnar will begin to search the room for anything hidden, unless Harp has them all continue onwards.
From: Karl
Subject Clean up
OK, so Salix is gonna take one pair and non-cursorily observe the room to see what he can find. He's looking for the key, but will note anything that doesn't look exactly as he thinks wall/floor/ceiling/door should. ;)
From: Karl
Subject Kal
Uh, the scorpions are long dead by this turn. Or is Kal giving up all pretense of not being a murderer?
From: Porter
Subject Kal
:-D
From: Mark
Subject Kal
Well since he did make the Mund comment OOC, I am going to assume he was scanning the room for other foes that might have been waiting in the dark to pounce on unsuspecting adventurers.
From: Randy
Subject Clean up
Ranthir will take part in a quick search of the room but will also suggest that Surin check the new door for traps and also take a good listen to see if we can find out what lies beyond it.
From: Porter
Subject Clean up
Mund looks at the door (and under it, etc) to see if he can tell if the next room is dark or not.
From: Kevin
Subject Clean up
Harp looks around the room and, seeing no more threats, starts to feel the blood pumping in his veins return to a normal level. He sees Salix turn one of the feet of the scorpions into a torch and chuckles to himself. An off handed humor his friend the druid had. He also notices Mund take out his torch that never seemed to go out. Poor human, to be so limited in his sight. Harp almost preferred to fight in the dark - no nasty shadows to worry about.
With a moments thought, Harp gets back to work. "Surin, would you and Mund take a look at that door. Don't enter, just look and listen. Ragnar, I understand your kind has a knack for stone. Would you work with Salix and Allistair and make sure we are not overlooking anything that may be hidden in the room. Kal, will you help Ran and I check the scorpions. I guess they could have eaten the key."
Harp will also ask Salix if there is any purpose in saving some of the venom from the stingers of the scorpions.
From: Ashley
Subject Clean up
Surin, thankful that he can see his hand in front of his face once again, begins searching around the edges of the room, and if Harp approves of Ran's suggestion, will check the door for traps and sounds.
From: Porter
Subject Clean up
So, do Mund and Surin discover anything about the door?
From: Mark
Subject Clean up
Harp looks around the room, nudging the dead scorpion in front of him to make sure it is dead. He sees the door in the north wall and decides to split the chores. "Surin, would you and Mund take a look at the door. Don't enter, just look and listen. Ragnar, I understand your kind has a way with stone. Would you work with Allistair and Salix and inspect the room and make sure we are not overlooking anything that may be hidden in the room. Kal, will you help Ranthir and me check the scorpions. It is possible that they have eaten the key."
The party members go about the assigned duties. Mund and Surin are done first, with Ragnar, Allistair and Salix finishing last. Those three found nothing special in the room. Harp, Ranthir and Kal found nothing in the bodies of the scorpions. Surin and Mund report that there seems to be light in the next room but they did not hear anything at the door.
OODM: OK give me actions. Ragnar is down 10 HP I think and Harp is down 11.
From: Mark
Subject Typo
I was just rereading this and I made a typo.
There is no light coming from the next room.
From: Porter
Subject Clean up
Mund suggests that whoever goes in first to investigate this next room does so with his torch.
Room 4 and light
Subject Scorpion venom
(OOC - Mark, what does Salix know about scorpion stinger venom? Is there any reason to save some?)
From: Mark
Subject Scorpion venom
He knows that it is not really that strong of a venom, DC12 Fort save, and that it does not last very long once outside the body.
From: Karl
Subject Scorpion venom
Salix completes his search of the room with the others and reports back to Harp that nothing was found. In response to his question about the venom, Salix responds, "The venom, though painful, isn't really very strong even when delivered naturally. Besides that, it begins losing what effectiveness it had almost immediately upon being extracted. It's not worth it, unless . . ." he pauses until his intellectual honesty overrides his minor distaste for the arcane arts. "Unless it has some value to our mage friend - as a spell component, perhaps?" He passes the question to Allistair with a glance.
From: Mark
Subject Hiatus?
I think I remember Porter saying something somewhere about his being out of town next week. Anyone else going to be unavailable next week? I was just wondering if we should put the game on hold starting Saturday until the Monday after Thanksgiving?
From: Derek
Subject Hiatus
I won't be travelling, and Porter asked me to take over Mund during that time.
From: Jason
Subject Hiatus
I'll still be available if we decide to keep going.
From: Mark
Subject Hiatus
Well it looks like we will be able to, so far. I was worried about the Bassett brothers but it looks like they have it covered.
I know on Friday that Kevin and I will be going to the LOTR museum exhibit in Indianapolis with our families, so not much will happen that day. I can probably get something out early on Thursday before we go to the family feast around noon.
From: Ashley
Subject Hiatus
I'm not sure. I might be bringing my laptop with me for homework purposes, and my aunt and uncle probably have internet, but I imagine it'll be a bit sporatic.
From: Karl
Subject Hiatus
I'll probably not send a turn on T-day itself, but I'm good for the rest of next week.
From: Kevin
Subject Room 4
Harp calls the group over to the door. He and Ragnar are somewhat a bit worse for wear, but that was what he was there for. None of the more highly trained member were hurt, and Harp planned on keeping that way. He is pretty sure that there would come a time when Allistair or Surin's special talents would be needed, and he was damn sure they would be around to help.
"Ok, guys, next door. Mund, you and Ranthir get to go first this time. Ragnar, Kal and I will be the second wave in, with Salix, Surin and Allistair after us.
Ready?"
From: Porter
Subject Room 4
"Ready."
From: Karl
Subject Room 4
Ready
From: Randy
Subject Room 4
"Let's go" Ranthir says, his sword in hand as he reaches to open the door.
From: Porter
Subject Light
Wait" Mund says as he tries and fails to hold both his torch and his shield in the same hand.
"Ran -- are you able to carry this torch? If not, then I won't be able to use my shield."
From: Randy
Subject light
Ran reaches and takes the offered torch from Mund. "Someone else will have to open the door for us" Ran comments as now both of his hands as well as both of Munds are full.
OOC: Ran has a small shield, in my mind that means it is one that is strapped to his forearm and he does not need to use his hand to carry it but if this is not the case, Ran will instead ask that someone else come to the doorway to hold the torch as he and Mund enter the door.
From: Mark
Subject Shields and light
From the open source:
Shield, Light, Wooden or Steel: You strap a shield to your forearm and grip it with your hand. A light shield's weight lets you carry other items in that hand, although you cannot use weapons with it.
Wooden or Steel: Wooden and steel shields offer the same basic protection, though they respond differently to special attacks.
Shield, Heavy, Wooden or Steel: You strap a shield to your forearm and grip it with your hand. A heavy shield is so heavy that you can't use your shield hand for anything else.
Wooden or Steel: Wooden and steel shields offer the same basic protection, though they respond differently to special attacks.
OK so Ran has the torch.
I will send out a starting turn in a little bit. My map is at home, but I do remember what is in the room, I just don't remember how big the room is.
From: Porter
Subject Light
I don't think you can hold it with a small shield either -- only with a buckler.
Does anybody have the D&D equivalent of duct tape so that Mund can strap the torch onto the front of his shield?
From: Porter
Subject Light
Well, I was wrong about the small shield, but it would still be great if I could strap the torch to Mund's shield.
Anybody have a tangleroot bag?
From: Mark
Subject Room 4
The party follows Harps orders and takes their places around and in front of the door. Ran's hand rests lightly on the latch that will unlock the door. Mund moves up into place, fumbling with the torch and his shield. "Here, take this" he says, handing the torch to Ran. Ran grabs the torch with his right hand. The light is now blocked some from his sheild. "Someone else will have to get the door" he says. Harp grunts and places his hand on the latch instead. With a look at the rest of the party, Harp pushes open the door and Mund and Ran enter the room.
OODM: I will have more when I get home tonight.
From: Porter
Subject Room 4
What a tease! :p
From: Ashley
Subject light
Surin can carry the torch if Ran doesn't mind the light source being behind him.
From: Porter
Subject Light
How about attaching Surin to Mund's shield and haivng Surin hold the torch?
From: Kevin
Subject Light
OOC: The problem with the torch, shield and weapon was sort of why I was going to have Harp and Ragnar go through the doors first. They both have darkvision, they both have plate armor. They can peer into the room, get a feel for what is there, and have the best chance of surviving that action. I did not want them to dominate this,though, so that was why I let Mund and Ran go first. Maybe Mund can attach the scorpion foot to his shield?
Mark, confirm, but we are still in a pretty dark room, with a little bit of light coming from the original hallway, right? As we enter the new room, our light will come mainly from torch light (or magical light).
I pity the characters that do not have dark vision.
Any one have any comments on letting the 1/2 orc and dwarf enter the dark rooms first in the future?
From: Kevin
Subject Light
OOC: I am sure there would be a penalty, but maybe we can hook up a harness like in Mad Max - Thunderdome. The one used by Master and Blaster? Surin can ride up on Harp or Mund's back and hold a torch lighting the way.
That would have been an E-ticket ride in its day.
From: Karl
Subject Light
Salix's light spell lasts 10 min per level. Has it been over 50 min since he lit up the foot?
From: Mark
Subject Light
Well Salix's light spell would have gone out after a while, almost 50minutes. It would still have 20-25 minutes left on it. Munds torch is a magical torch of the everburning type, so it never goes out. The range on the light on both of these is 20 feet radius of bright light and another 20 of dim, for a total of 40 feet diameter bright and 80 feet dim light.
The room is dark with out the light.
It is not magical darkness, yet.
From: Mark
Subject Room 4
Ran and Mund quickly enter the room. Ran is glad to see that the wall to his left continues inside the room. As the two enter the room they are able to move about 10 feet in before they hear a strange screeching sound. In the dim light, from the east of the room, they see four strange bird like creatures about the size of a goose or a turkey. The wings are bat shaped and the tails are scaly instead of feathery. The eyes glow with an eerie red light. The bird things howl and start to charge.
OODM: I have to take my son somewhere. Let me know your actions and I will figure initiative and start the combat. Give me two choices, one if you have a high Initiative score and one if you have a low one.
Map attached.
From: Porter
Subject Room 4
Do we have enough time to get out and close the door on the birds?
From: Randy
Subject Room 4
If we do, then Ran will call to Mund, "Fall back!" and seeing that Mund is already doing so, he will get out of the room and shut the door as soon as they are both clear.
If Ran doesn't think there is enough time to get out and close the door, then he will call to the others, "Four bird-like creatures charging! We could use some more light in here!" and trust them to join. He will then prepare to fight defensively against the airborn opponents, waiting for them to approach him first.
From: Jason
Subject Room 4
ooc: If we do get the door closed, might it not be advantageous to draw them out into the room we're already in, placing the lights at advantageous positions? Ragnar wouldn't suggest this, but someone with more combat experience might (if he thought it was a good idea anyways.)
From: Kevin
Subject Room 4
OOC: I know why we want to fall back, but do our characters? Does either Ranthir or Mund recognize the creatures? If not, why would the run away? Would it not be more normal for the next three to enter the room and then attemp to fight these, at least until the first one of us is turned into stone?
However, if Ranthir and Mund want to exit the room and close the door so they can discuss tactics with the others, and maybe ask Salix (who probably has the best chance of knowing what these things are), then that might make sense.
Harp will take his lead from the first two in. If they end up moving forward to attack, Harp will do so. If they exit the room, he will back up to give them space
From: Jason
Subject Room 4
ooc: Well, since I actually didn't recognize what they were until this email, I think its fair to say that turning to stone isn't the reason I suggested falling back. I was thinking of falling back like we did with the ogre, so that we aren't all stuck trying to get in the door, but instead they're stuck trying to get in to fight us. That's only if they close the door though; if they run in and fight, Ragnar will join in fearlessly (ignorance is very similar to courage at times, isn't it?)
Round 1 results, round 2 actions
Subject Room 4
Mund is a smart fighter. He wants to fall back so that everybody can take on these creatures together. Mund was annoyed that more care wasn't taken in the scorpion room.
The first room with the ogre -- that's exactly how Mund likes to fight. Fight dirty, and fight smart.
I have no idea what these creatures are. As far as I (and Mund) are concerned, they are giant birds.
From: Ashley
Subject Room 4
Unless they fall back (which seems pretty likely) Surin will draw his axe and keep within the limits of the light whilst trying to take care of the bird things. Otherwise, he'll wait. At least Harp and the others aren't gonna hog all the xp this time. :pirate:
From: Josh
Subject Room 4
Kal's watching Harp for lead. If Harp attacks Kal's in there next to him.
From: Karl
Subject Room 4
(OOC - How much does Salix know about these creatures? Well, assuming he is told enough about them to determine what they are, or he gets to actually see them. They're basilisks, right?)
For now I have no action for Salix. He will wait for Harp's orders unless the things come into view or the rest of the group enters the room, in which case he will follow.
From: Porter
Subject Room 4
Just to make it clear, it never even entered my mind that these creatures were anything besides giant animals when I decided to have Mund step back.
Part of Mund's philosophy is to avoid a fair fight at all costs.
People keep making hints that these creates have some way of petrifying people, but I *still* don't know what they are. I just haven't played enough D&D to be familiar with all the creatures. :)
And truth to tell, it's fun being as ignorant as my character. :)
From: Randy
Subject Room 4
OOC: This is also why Ranthir wants to retreat. I didn't really think about what the creatures are, only that they were charging.
From: Porter
Subject Room 4
OOC:
Exactly. Why fight them with two of us melee when we can fall back, organize, and hit them with missile and melee from everybody?
From: Mark
Subject Room 4 round 1
Don't worry. Kevin is a bit of a rules freak and like showing his "superior" intellect. ;)
From: Kevin
Subject Room 4 round 1
OOC: Then its agreed - Ranthir and Mund exit the room and close the door. Just so there is no confusion with the DM, right???
From: Mark
Subject Room 4 round 1
Of course like I said it all depends on the initiative roll.
I am going to try and do something at lunch, since tonight I have dinner, cub scout pack meeting and Harry Potter, nothing will happen after 5PM ET today.
From: Derek
Subject Room 4 round 1
Allistair just sees three big warriors pump themselves up, charge through a door, and then immediately charge right back out and close the door behind them.
"Well," says Allistair expectantly. "I guess there's something really big and nasty in the next room? I still have my fireballs handy if they will do any good."
From: Porter
Subject Room 4 round 1
Assuming that Mund is able to:
Mund sees the birds and thinks "Well, I guess this door lead to nothing but a bunch of oversized animals."
But even so, these giant birds could take a good piece out of his hide. There's no point in attacking them with a raiding party of two when they can attack with a party of, um, more.
Mund jumps back into the room with everybody else, and as soon as Ran is through the door, slams it shut.
"We've got some more giant animals in there -- this time they are four birds."
From: Porter
Subject Room 4 round 1
OOC. I didn't realize it required a roll. Make that my reply if they get the door closed behind them.
From: Porter
Subject Room 4 round 1
"Nah. Like I said, they're just four giant birds. It just thought it would be smarter for us to be able to all fight them together. Maybe we can lure them into this room and surround them."
From: Mark
Subject Room 4 round 1
Just a note. The birds are not really giant. They are turkey sized. While that does make them big, for most birds, they are not Roc sized or anything like that. They are actually considered small creatures and they look to weigh in at about 25 lbs.
From: Porter
Subject Room 4 round 1
In that case, replace "giant" with "weird looking". :)
From: Mark
Subject Round 1
Round 1
Initiative: Creatures (19), Mund (16), Ran (4)
At the site of the two adventurers the bird like creatures hurtle themselves across the room. With the limited space in the room the birds do not take flight but move with a strange hoping gait, their bat like wings beating the air, almost jumping along. The birds move until they have almost surrounded Mund.
As Munds eyes adjusts to the dim light of the room he hears the loud screeching sounds being made by the birds. By the time he is able to turn towards the noise he is almost surrounded. "Oh Shit. Ran" he shouts, "we are going to need some backup in here and fast." With that the barbarian starts to defend himself. Trying to get his back to a wall, he takes a quick step forward and to his left, and as he pivots to get his back against the wall, he swings his axe at the bird that is there (AC14, 20+9=29, hit, possible critical, critical threat, AC14, 1+9=10, miss, no critical, damage 4) His axe leaves a bleeding gash in the left wing of the beast.
Ran, watches in disbelief as the bird like creatures charge them. He hears Mund' shout for help and echoes it through the door. "Four bird like creatures. We need help in here." He watches Mund move to the wall and chop at the bird in front of him. Figuring to gang up on the things and to make space for the others, Ran takes a quick step towards Mund and attacks the same bird (AC14, 12+8=20, hit, damage, 8). His sword flashes and cuts deeply into the back of the beast.
OODM: Round 2 is next. The next three, Harp, Kal and Ragnar can enter the room this round. Initiative is as follows: Kal (24), Harp (24), Birds (19), Mund (16), Ragnar (8), Ran (4). Salix, Surin and Allistair know something is going on but can not see what yet.
From: Derek
Subject Room 4 round 1
OOC: Well, so much for just torching them all with a fireball.
Allistair hears commotion ahead and moves forward so that he can hopefully get a line-of-sight on whatever they are fighting in the room so that he can zap it.
From: Porter
Subject Room 4 Round 2
OOC: I know I didn't make it clear before, but next time let's have people *look* into rooms before *stepping* into them.
Mund attacks the wounded bird.
From: Mark
Subject Room 4 round 2
Well with the size of the room neither Mund or Ran could see the criters at the other end so they would have entered. The light only extends for 40 feet so Ran's lowlight vision is only good that far.
From: Jason
Subject Room 4 round 2
Ragnar will move in and attack, assuming there is room. He'll attack a wounded bird if possible, and try to make room for others to enter as well.
From: Randy
Subject Room 4 round 2
OOC: Wow, I think that is the lowest initiative Ran has ever had!
Ran will contiue to hack at the birds, flanking with Mund if they can coordinate it. "Let's surround them if at all possible!"
From: Ashley
Subject Room 4 round 2
Surin hears something going on but will stick with Salix, who after all has a light source. If he makes it into the room he'll throw his axe at one of them.
From: Josh
Subject Room 4 round 2
Kal dances in quickly and attacks the birds. The silent clamor of battle is interupted by the loud sounds Kal makes as he swings his sword each time. Each a loud grunt, high pitched in an elven voice.
From: Karl
Subject Room 4 round 2
Salix will move to the doorway to see what's going on.
Harp's round 2 actions
Subject Room 4 round 2
"Damn it" Harp thinks to himself, "Why can; this ever happen as he planned it?" With that, Harp steps into the room, moving as best he can, striking at the creature that will provide the most room for the rest of the group to be able to move in. OOC: Mark, this will depend somewhat on what Kal does, but without a map of which creature is close by, use your *best* judgement.
Round 1 map, Round 2 and Round 2 map
Subject map round 1
Here is the map at the end of round 1/start of round 2. I am writing round 2 tonight and will send out a map of the end of round 2/start round 3 tonight.
From: Mark
Subject Room 4 round 2
Round 2
Initiative : Kal (24), Harp (24), Surin (24), Salix (21), Birds(19), Allistair (18), Mund (16), Ragnar (8), Ranthir (4)
Almost as one Kal and Harp respond to the voices of their comrades from the next room. Charging in side by side they both strike at the bird creature directly in front of them (B1). The lighter and smaller elf strikes first, his rapier plunging into the strange body of the creature before him. (AC14, 17+10=17, hit, damage 4). He draws blood, but not much. Harp is not as subtle. He swings his sword from right to left, attempting to cut off the head of the bird, just like he had done to the chickens in the abbey when he was growing up. His sword strikes (AC14, 8+10=18, hit,damage 11). While he obviously does some damage, this "bird"is obviously tougher than the chickens back home.
Harp has a sudden flash of memory (Knowledge check, DC15, 18, success). Tales told during novitiate of bird like creatures with bat wings and lizard tail. "Cockatrices. These are Cockatrices. Beware the bite. It can turn someone to stone."
Surin and Salix both hear the commotion from the room and see Harp and Kal rush into the room and see Ragnar preparing to enter as well. They move up to the door to get a view of what is happening. Neither of them recognize the creatures.
The bird that Harp just tried to carve up for midwinters night meal (B1) turns and bites at the 1/2 orc. It's beak crashes into his armor, leaving small scratches on the metal (AC21, 5+9=14, miss). Another of the birds (B2) makes a quick hop and also takes a bite at the 1/2 orc. Harp is able to get his sword up and block the attack with it (AC21, 8+9=17, miss).
The other bird that had been in the back (B3) makes a short move to the front row and goes after Ranthir. The bird strikes at Ranthir's mailed leg and clamps down on it (AC20, 13+9=22, hit, damage 1, Fort save, DC12, 15+6=21, save).
The last bird (B4) turns to attack Mund. It's beak snaps in, faster then the barbarian would expect from such a large bird (AC22, 16+9=25, hit, damage 1, Fort save DC12, 10+8=18, save) and tries to crush Mund's leg. His armor protects him from most of the damage.
Allistair, seeing that the meat shields are at it again, stands behind Salix and Surin, trying to get a glimpse of what was in the room. He had heard of cockatrices before but never seen one. He hoped there was enough light so that he could get a good look.
Mund shivers at the thought of being turned to stone. Seeing that the bird in front of him is worse for the wear, he takes a quick step away from the wall and to the north. As he moves he swings his axe at the same bird that had attacked him(B4) (AC14, 17+9=26, hit, damage 12) His axe does what Harp had not been able to, and that is to separate the head from the neck. His bird falls to the ground, the eerie red eyes looking at Mund as the slowly loose their inner fire.
Ragnar moves towards the door, waiting for Kal and Harp to make room for him.
Ran shifts his concentration to the bird attacking him. He lunges with his sword, (AC14, 7+8=15, hit, damage 9) Ranthir is able to cut across the things chest and leave a deep cut.
OODM: OK that is the end of round 2. I need actions for round 3. The map attached show positions of every one in the room at the end of round 2/start of round 3.
Round 3 and map
Subject Room 4 round 3
Salix steps to the door just in time to see Mund take down one of the 4 bird-creatures. They don't seem all that tough, he thinks, considering how one is already dead and another already looks badly wounded. Still, it seems almost silly to set up a test against lesser creatures after the other things they'd already faced, so maybe these things were more dangerous than they seemed. At any rate it would be best to end this quickly. He runs through the list of the graces he has asked of Obad-Hai this day, but none seems appropriate to the task immediately at hand.
He draws his scimitar and will move into the room if a space opens up. He will try to get into position to strike at one of the creatures if possible.
From: Josh
Subject Room 4 round 3
Kals last attack rolls into his next one. He dances around the bird, trying to keep a safe distance from it's beak. As he gets on the creatures side, Kal's rapier darts forward looking to strike at the creatures body.
OOC: Kal's taking a 5 foot step to the side to make room for whoever's behind him and then attacks.
From: Kevin
Subject Room 4 round 3
Harp feels his sword connect with the animal with a satisfying chunk, but the beast does not go down. He then feels two of the creatures attack him, but his new suit of plate mail was doing exactly what he hoped it would do. Some of the others, however, were less well protected, and they would be at risk.
"Kal, be careful. These things are not that hard to hit, but they are quicker than they appear." With that, Harp will do one of the following: if B1 is not dead, Harp will take a 5 ft step to the right so he has a flanking bonus (assuming Kal moves 5 ft. more into the room to make space for the others). Harp will then attack B1. If B1 is dead, Harp will take a 5 ft step into the room (to where B1 was) to give a flanking bonus to Mund. Harp will attack B2.
From: Mark
Subject Room 4 round 3
Probably. :)
From: Randy
Subject Room 4 round 3
Ranthir will continue to attack B3 unless it is already dead by the time his turn comes around. If it is dead he will attack the bird closest to him. He will fight defensively, wary of Harp's warning.
From: Ashley
Subject Room 4 round 3
Can Surin close enough to see them/throw something at them? He'll put his axe away and pull out his sling if he's more than 10 feet away, since he's pretty sure there's *something* going on.
From: Mark
Subject Room 4 round 3
It is going to be a tight fit at the moment. There are still at least two people who want to get through the door and four people in the room, starting to surround 3 turkey like creatures. He would be firing into combat for sure and the creatuers would get some cover from the people fighting them.
Don't worry about experience. When the plan is for someone to stay back as a reserve I consider them to be involved and they get full experience, just as the whole party gets experience when Surn does a lock or a trap and they hang back.
From: Ashley
Subject Room 4 round 3
That's cool. Surin will just hold his axe up threateningly and complain that the big people didn't aside for him. After the fight is over, of course. :)
From: Derek
Subject Room 4 round 3
Tight fit or not, all Allistair needs it to be able to see one of the cockatrices, and he can hit it with a MM without having to worry about hitting an ally. If Allistair can see one he'll shoot one off, but he won't try and push himself in front of the warriors trying to get into the room.
From: Mark
Subject room 4 round 3
And that is the advantage of being a magic user. :)
From: Jason
Subject Room 4 round 3
Ragnar will keep looking for an opportunity to get into the room and attack.
From: Porter
Subject Room 4 round 3
Mund hears Harp warn them that these creatures can turn them into stone, and his blood runs cold. That's just not natural. He's so distracted that he actually lets one of them bite him. He almost soils his armor but experience takes over and Mund kills the monster by reflex.
Freaked out by the the unnatural danger, Mund begins his rage and starts fighting defensively, stepping forward to attack the next monster (B3).
OOC: If you'll allow it, I want Mund to respond to Harp's warning this last turn by beginning his rage this last turn (Mund's initiative was well after Harp's)
From: Mark
Subject room 4 round 3
So you want the lower armor classs but the higher FORT save for attacks this round?
It would not have made any difference for your attack last round, since you killed the creature you were fighting.
I have a small peeve with the rage. The idea that you can rage and fight defensivly strikes me as a bit strange. To me the rage should be like the beserk fury that barbarians fly off into. I do not think that there are enough drawbacks to rage.
However I am not going to change this rule, at least not yet. :)
From: Ashley
Subject Room 4 round 3
*cue foreboding music*
From: Mark
Subject Room 4 round 3
Round 3
Initiative : Kal (24), Harp (24), Surin (24), Salix (21), Birds(19), Allistair (18), Mund (16), Ragnar (8), Ranthir (4)
Kal looks around and decides to move so that more of the party can enter the room and overwhelm these creatures. Being turned to stone is not something Kal is looking forward to so the faster these creatures are disposed of the better. Moving north a few steps until he is next to Ranthir Kal stabs at the same bird as last time (AC14,2+10=12, miss) but his rapier fails to pierce the tough skin of the birds side.
Harp also moves, but he moves to his right, keeping the wall to his back. As he moves he sees Kal's rapier skid off the hide of the bird. Why does that elf continue to use that pigsticker? Even when it hits it can barely do any damage? With that he takes a backhanded swing at the same bird and lands a solid blow (AC14, 15+14=29, hit, damage 12). Blood fountains from the wound as a large gash is opened in the things side, but it does not fall.
Surin looks through the crowd of people between him and the fight and quickly turns to watch their back. It would be just like this place to have something try and ambush them while they were fighting already.
Salix looks at the creatures and shakes his head. Cockatrices? He had heard of them, monstrosities created by the magical mixing of birds and lizards. Thinking of the prayers he had asked Obad Hai for that morning, nothing comes to his mind that would be very useful in this situation. Well, gods work was done in more than one way. Drawing his scimitar, he moves into the room and attacks the bird facing Kal. His sword arcs (AC14, 13+5=18, hit, damage 5) and strikes the bird full in the body, opening up another bleeding wound. This time the bird falls, it's red eyes looking at Salix.
The bird just in front of Harp flits around and bites at his leg. Again the bird is faster than Harp would have thought (AC21, 17+9=26,hit, damage 1, FORT Save DC12, 14+9=23, save). Harp feels the beak clamp on the armor and the jaws closing. He feels his armor get cold, even through the padding, but he shakes off the feeling.
The bird attacking Ranthir makes another bite that connects (AC20, 14+9=23, hit, damage 1, FORT save, DC12, 20+6=26, save). The bite seems to do little damage but he feels something strange through his armor and is glad for the fine elven chain that he wears.
Allistair sees the crowd attacking the birds. How do they attack like that and not hurt each other? All that waving steel and dancing around and they still do not interfere with each other? Well, luckily, his education had allowed him to learn ways to damage the foe with no fear of hurting his allies. Chanting the words that can be heard but not remembered, he cast one of the simple spells, magic missile. Almost every first year student learns this basic essential spell. Three bolts of energy leap from his fingers and streak towards the bird fighting his brother (B3) (Damage 13). The bolts strike the bird and almost knock it down. Somehow the thing is able to maintain its feet.
Mund sees three flashes of light streak out of nowhere and strike the bird in front of him, almost knocking it off his feet. Still enraged by his close brush with being turned to stone Mund moves up fights with a bit of caution and swings at the bird (AC14, 9+7=16, hit, damage 12). Mund's axe cleaves the creature in two.
Ragnar charges through the door, surprised to see only one bird still standing (B2). He swings his sword (AC14, 14+7=21, hit, damage 10) and leaves a blood mark on the right wing of the beast.
Ran is glad to have superior numbers again. He takes a step over the dead bird in front of him and strikes at the remaining foe (AC14, 12+8=20, hit, damage 8). He also connects and draws blood from the back of the creature, cutting its leathery tail from its body.
OODM: I need round 4 actions and another map is attached.
Round 4
Subject Round 4
Salix shudders at the unnatural glow, now fading, in the creature's eyes. With one creature remaining and far too many blades poised to strike to entertain the thought this will last much longer, Salix looks for an opening that will allow him to move further into the room. He will look into the are from which the creatures came, in case there is another door, or something else hiding in the far shadows.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 4
Harp feels a shiver as the bird creature hits his leg. It does not amount to much, but the feeling is disconcerting any way. Gods - to be frozen like stone - it is beyond Harp's comprehension. He must finish this now. Taking advantage of their superior numbers, Harp steps slightly to his right and attacks again (5ft step to the right for a flanking bonus from Ran, normal attack).
From: Randy
Subject Round 4
Ranthir, not wanting to let his guard down, continues to work with Harp to flank the final foe.
From: Porter
Subject Round 4
DontBitMeUchdorfsDontBitMeUchdorfsDontBitMeUchdorfsDontBitMeUchdorfsDontBitMeUchdorfs is what keeps going through Mund's mind as, terrified, he steps forward to slay this last monster.
From: Derek
Subject Round 4
Allistair is a little relieved to see that only one of those creatures is still alive, (the other's might still be moving even with thier heads cut off, who knows) and that he was able be of some help in a combat situation. With only one left now, it would be wastefull for Allistair to use any more magic on this combat, so he steps back and waits for the others to slay the last cockatrice.
Mund kind of looks like he's freaking out though, he probably doesn't have a lot of experience fighting magical creatures such as this, and magic in general seems to give him the heebie-jeebies. Well, even if the worst happens, hopefully brother Ragnar or Salix has a blessing from thier respective diety that would allow them to cure such a magical malady.
From: Ashley
Subject Round 4
Surin continues hanging back, ready to attack anything that moves his way. The space in front of him seems pretty well taken care of, from the sounds he hears. None of his friends are screaming in pain, so he figures the sounds of falling flesh must be coming from the enemy. A bit relieved not to have to be involved in the fighting, Surin keeps his ears open. It *would* just be perfect if they all got caught from behind while the proper fighters were all stuck in the next room.
From: Mark
Subject Round 4
Initiative: Kal (24), Harp (24), Surin (24), Salix (21), Birds (19), Allistair (18), Mund (16), Ragnar (8), Ranthir (4)
Kal almost shouts his frustration at his ineffectual attack. He takes a quick step forward al the while calming his emotions. He re-centers himself and attacks again (AC14, 2+10=12, miss). For a second time his rapier skids off the thick hide of the cockatrice and a shiver of fear goes through the elf as the beast turns its head and gives him a baleful stare.
Harp moves another step to his right, trying to keep the beast between him and Ranthir so that it would have to worry about attackers on all sides. His thrust finds it way true (AC14, 13+12=25, hit, damage 11) and he almost cuts off one of the wings.
Surin keeps a sharp eye out on the door that they came through; sure that something will be attacking them from behind.
Salix sees that the fight is getting a bit crowded and decides to see if there is anything else in the room that they should be worried about. Moving along the west wall he moves down to the corner of the room and turns to survey it. As far as he can see the room is empty other than the party and the birds.
The remaining bird looks at Harp with what the 1/2 orc would swear was hatred. Again it head darts out almost faster than Harp can see, but the 1/2 orc has gotten the creatures attack pattern down. Just as the head darts in he swings his shield and the beak crashes into it (AC21, 11+9=20, miss). Harp grins in satisfaction.
Out in the other room Allistair nods in satisfaction that he was able to help, but realizes that with only one creature left that his talents and skills would be wasted on just one of the creatures. He turns and keeps an eye out with Surin.
When the bird turns to attack Harp Mund moves just outside of the birds reach until he is opposite of Ragnar. Then he takes a step in. and takes advantage of the bird's distraction with the 1/2 orc. He swings with his axe again (AC14, 13+14=27, hit, damage 6) and chops off the bird's scaly tail.
Ragnar's sword flashes in the dim light and (AC14, 17+9=26, hit, damage 11) his sword passes through the beast neck and the head falls to the floor. The party stands there looking at the dead bodies and hoping that the magical beast will stay that way.
OODM: Do any RP you want I will write up what they find tomorrow probably.