Bear vs. bear, experience and spells
Subject Experience points
I have just updated the experince points for the party for monsters overcome up through the ghouls/ghasts. I will do adventure experience when the party gets back from the adventure.
Three party members: Harp, Ranthir and Salix, are close to going up to 6th level. I see no problem with that here. No new spell levels are gained so the additional spells/prayers is easy to justify.
There might be some feats that you are looking to get. Let me know and I will see how we can work them in. Most combat feats should be easy enough to work in, unless it is something really out there.
So Kevin, Karl and Randy let me know what your plans are for your characters at next level and I will work it in.
From: Mark
Subject Bear vs. bear
Harp's response is firm. "Ragnar, do what you think is best for Surin. If you need time to sleep and prepare, do so. I will take watch in your stead. You are the best qualified to determine our course of action so I leave it in your hands. You tell me what you need us to do." Ragnar is a bit taken aback by Harp's confidence until he remembers that the 1/2 orc is only a junior member of the order and newly appointed to his leadership role. Harp does not have the experience in healing that the dwarf does.
"Ok" Ragnar says "Let me take my rest and in the morn I will pray for Surin's healing." As the dwarf is preparing for sleep, he sees Mund pacing the room. The barbarian has taken off his armor and is scratching where the ghouls and ghasts had bitten him. Ragnar is about to go over and reassure Mund that he should be fine when Mund approached the druid and the two talk for a few minutes. The human seems to calm down a bit so Ragnar stops worrying about him.
Just as the dwarf is ready to settle in Mund and Salix go to the far corner of the room, something obviously planned. If it was just the human Ragnar would be worried but the druid has shown uncommon common sense and restraint. Just as Ragnar is starting to lie down he hears a loud roar coming from the corner. Jumping to his feet he sees Mund and a bear in the corner and they seem to be wrestling.
Getting ready for the fight, Mund tightens his fists and squares off. Salix rears up on his hind legs and lets out an impressive roar. Mund gets a good look at the bear's teeth, and takes a wary look at his friend's claws. He looks back and forth between those vicious claws and his fists. He briefly wishes that he hadn't taken off his breastplate. As much as Mund enjoys trading blows, this time he's going to have to get in past those claws and wrestle him.
Mund answers Salix's roar with his own, and welcomes the spirit of Bear into his body. Salix now has the body of a bear, and Mund has the heart of a bear. This should be interesting.
Initiative: Mund,Salix-as-bear
Round 1.
Mund dives in and tries to tackle Salix. Salix takes a swipe at him as he comes in (AOO 3+8=11 vs. AC 13, miss), and Mund barely dives out of the way. Mund gets in past those scary claws and gets a good grip on his friend's hairy hide. (17+10=27 vs. AC 13, hit) Mund then tries to trip the bear, but its stumpy legs do not budge. (opposed grapple check: Mund 2+10=12, Salix 15+8=23, Salix wins).
Salix then attacks Mund, hitting him with his two paws and a head butt. (paw 1, 12+8=20 vs. AC 13, hit, damage 3+4=7) (paw 2, 20+8=28, hit, critical threat, damage=3+4=7, 3+8=11, no critical) (head butt 13+3=16, hit, damage 5+2=7)
Mund HP=32/58
Salix HP=33/33
Round 2.
Reeling from the three powerful blows he just received, Mund tries to slip behind Salix and choke it out from behind. He comes in again, and Salix again takes a swipe at him, knocking him back. (AOO 11+8=19 vs. AC 13, hit, damage 1+4=5),
Salix follows up his strike with another three attacks, landing two of them. (paw 1, 14+8=22 vs. AC 13, hit, damage 2+4=6) (paw 2, 2+8=10, miss) (head butt18+8=26, hit, damage(3+2=5).
Mund(HP=16/58)
Salix(HP=33/33)
Round 3.
Even though it hasn't worked so far, Mund knows that his only chance of winning here is by getting and staying in where those claws cannot get him. He tries again to slip behind the bear. Salix tries to stop him and is successful yet again. (AOO 6+8=14 vs. AC 13, hit,damage(1+4=5)
Salix again presses the attack and the second one knocks Mund upside the head, dropping him to the floor. (paw 1, 8+8=16 vs. AC 13, hit, damage 4+4=8) (paw 2, 18+8=26, hit, damage3+4=7)
Salix transforms back into his natural self and checks on the fallen Barbarian. He's fine -- Salix had succeeded in not doing any real damage to his friend. Salix watches over him and in a few minutes his comes to.
Mund wakes up with the biggest headache he's had in a long time. His whole body feels like a giant bruise. He sees Salix standing over him, and a big grin breaks out on his face. Mund stumbles to his feet and gives Salix a big bear hug. "That was amazing!" Mund declares with child-like enthusiasm. "I have to say, you make a better bear than I do."
The party watches with a strange fascination as Mund and the bear square off. The fight is over almost before it starts with the bear smacking Mund around every time the human tries to grapple with it. Before they know it Mund is on the ground, a little trickle of blood coming from his nose and mouth. Salix quickly takes human form again and immediately checks Mund over. Allistair also checks out his brother, knowing his propensity for brawling. It looks like Mund had met his match. Mund didn't lay a hand on the druid. When Mund wakes up his is giddy as a teenager on his first raiding mission. Ragnar shakes his head and heads off to sleep.
OODM: I will write something up for after Ragnar wakes up tonight. You guys, and gal, can do any RP that you want.
From: Karl
Subject Bear vs. bear
"That was amazing!" Mund declares with child-like enthusiasm. "I have to say, you make a better bear than I do."
"Maybe," Salix replies with a grin. "But you are practically a bear all the time, and I get the priviledge only for a little while. If we wrassled again today there's no doubt you'd mop the floor with me." He gives the big brute a hearty slap on the back.
The match was a welcome break from the mission. Salix was starting to feel the walls close in around him, but now he felt much more relaxed in spite of the nagging, penned-in feeling that still bothered him somewhat. "We should get some rest," he says and heads over to the rest of the group. He check again on Surin who seems to be sleeping, if fitfully. He was in good hands with Ragnar. He'd be whole again in the morning. (Assuming it would *be* morning. Who knew?)
From: Derek
Subject Spells
As soon as the group leaves the putrid stench of the room with those undead (now dead-dead) things, Allistair sits down to rest. Between the white dragon, the gargoyles, and the undead, the past hour had been frightening and extremely exhausting.
So now Allistair had to try and decide what combination of spells might prove the most useful for the upcoming day. Magic missles? Definately. Although at times Allistair felt like little more than a magic-missle-machine, that simple spell really did help out a lot in a combat situation. His web was also potentially useful, although that spell, like the fireball, was less useful that it could be considering the level of teamwork the group usually accomplished. If his brother Mund and Kal would both listen to Harp before charging into a room things might be different...
In the end, Allistair decides to not change his spell list. His fireballs were still his most potent spell, and maybe he could get a chance to use them to better effect tomorrow. With that, Allistair starts reading through his spellbook, begininng the long process of memorizing his spells, just so that he can forget them as soon as he uses them.
From: Kevin
Subject Experience points
OOC: Mark, Harp will probably go with the Power Attack feat, since he is not a 4th level fighter yet for the Weapon Specialization feat. He is going to increase fighter level this time and next time, so he will become a 4 ftr/3 clr (he should get an additional feat when he gets to ftr 4).
Now Mund knows how Harp felt.
Ragnar does his thing
Subject Bear vs. Bear
And how!
From: Karl
Subject Experience points
Embracing your inner Orc, I see.
From: Kevin
Subject Experience points
No, if I wanted to do that, he would have taken a level in Barbarian. But that would have kept him from his yet unrealized long term goal of becoming a Shining Sword of Heironious. But that is a lot more levels to that point.
From: Mark
Subject Experience points
He has sword envy. Kal and Ran did a lot more damage in the last combat than he did.
From: Kevin
Subject Experience points
Only because he got stuck in that silly web. Up until that time, he was dicing and slicing. Harp has no sword envy. For only being a second level fighter, he can hold his own.
From: Porter
Subject Bear vs bear
Yeah -- Mund remembers how well he held his own against Mund.
From: Kevin
Subject Bear vs. Bear
And how well did Mund fare against a tree hugger?
Harp's specialty is not grappling and wrestling. He uses his sword and acquits himself just fine using that weapon in a normal fight.
From: Karl
Subject Bear vs. Bear
That's because they managed not to get webbed.
From: Porter
Subject Challange?
Do I hear a challenge?
From: Derek
Subject Challange
"Are you asking for a challenge?! Double Deuce!"
From: Kevin
Subject Challange
Kal and Ran were not in the line of the web. Harp never claimed to be twinkle toes.
From: Kevin
Subject Challange
There is no challenge here. Just that Harp is a 2nd level fighter when he took on a 5th level barbarian. He has learned his lesson about taking Mund on hand to hand. But he is not useless with a sword in his hand.
From: Porter
Subject Challange
Especially with his magic sword. <_<
*magic sword envy*
From: Mark
Subject Ragnar does his thing
After the sparing between Salix and Mund the party settles down for the long wait. The room they are in is fairly large but after a few hours it seems to close in on some of them. Salix and Mund in particular feel the confines of the room. Salix wonders how Noctis is doing and if the bird is well. Normally he would know but this place was out of the normal scheme of things and so his connection was broken.
Time passes, quickly for some, slowly for others. Ragnar wakes and does his "morning" rituals, asking for certain blessings for the day. He then checks on Surin and sees that the halfling has not gotten any better. The dwarf reports to Harp. "It is as I feared. The halfling has the fever and has been unable to fight it off. I will prepare to ask the battle lord for his healing." At Harp's nod the cleric walks over to where the halfling is fitfully sleeping.
He sits down next to Surin and takes his hand. The halfling turns and looks at Ragnar with empty eyes, staring at some imaginary scene. The dwarf starts chanting the prayer of healing diseases. As he completes his chant Surin arches back for a second, as if in pain, and then collapses to the floor again. Ragnar places his hand on the halfling's brow, checking for fever. The rough cool touch of the dwarf's hand brings Surin back to himself.
"What happened? The last thing I remember was laying down to sleep. I have been having some of the worst nightmares. I feel so weak." Ragnar grins. "You have been sick but Heironeous has granted me the grace to remove the sickness. I expect you are also weak. With your permission I can help with that as well." Surin nods and the dwarf chants a different spell, this time placing a hand on Surin's chest. Surin feels the healing warmth flow into him and within seconds the exhaustion and fatigue and weakness are gone. Surin looks at the dwarf with huge eyes. "Wow! I've never been healed like that before. It's quite somethin."
Ragnar spends a few more minutes making sure that the halfling is really ok and he seems to be. Harp's relief is obvious to everyone. "OK folks" Harp says "it's time to get set up to go back and check out that room and to move on to the next."
OODM: Jason, Ragnar used Remove Disease and 2 Lesser Restorations. Please show those spells as being used and pick whatever other spells you want for the days activity.
I have attached the current dungeon map. Let me know what you want to do.
From: Kevin
Subject Ragnar does his thing
Harp breathes a sigh of relief as the little hafling seems to return to his normal self. At least Harp would not have that on his soul. Now, onto the next room.
"All right, every one feeling better? Then, lets get on with this. Mund and I will go first, Ran and Kal after us, Ragnar and Salix and then Surin and Allistair. Lets go get this key so we can move onto the next one."
With that, Mund and Harp head down the hallway, through the room with the gargoyles, and into the empty room that was before the ghouls. He stops by the door to the room that had the ghouls and says:
"Surin, please take another listen. Mund, would you use your torch and keep and eye on Surin? I don't expect any trouble before we open the door, but I would rather be safe than sorry."
From: Porter
Subject Ragnar does his thing
"Sure thing. Let's go, Surin."
On to the treasure room
Subject Ragnar does his thing
Surin nods to Mund, letting him lead the way towards their next challenge. After that scrape he got in from the ghoul he's not much in the mood for chat and frivolities. Shadows from his delirium were still swimming around his head, and Surin found himself wishing for the first time he was someplace else. Just a couple more of these doors, he thinks to himself, then we can all get the heck outa here. He approaches the door carefully, paying attention for any noises not attributable to Mund before pressing his ear against the door to try to hear inside the room.
From: Kevin
Subject Ragnar does his thing
Harp will also thank Ragnar for healing Surin.
From: Josh
Subject Ragnar does his thing
After the commotion of Surin's recovery dies down, Kal approaches the halfing. With a firm handshake Kal says "I'm happy to see you've recovered. Your bravery in the last room must have won the Battle God's favor."
From: Mark
Subject turn
I will try and get a turn out tonight.
From: Mark
Subject The treasure room
The party quickly forms up, Mund and Harp in the first row, Ran and Kal following with Ragnar and Salix in the third row and Allistair and Surin bringing up the rear. They quickly retrace their path from the day before and find themselves in the room where the ghouls had been. The stench in the room has dissipated enough that no one gets sick when entering. At Harp's gesture Surin moves forward to take another listen at the door. The halfling seems to hesitate a second before moving to the front. After another quick check for traps Surin puts his ear to the door and strains to hear what he can. Time passes for what seems hours but can only be seconds and the halfling shakes his head. He shows Mund and Harp how the door opens and then steps back into his place.
Harp points to Mund and gestures that Harp will open the door and that Mund should enter with the 1/2 orc right behind. The barbarian nods and Harp opens the door. As the two take a quick look into the room they are surprised to see that it is well lit. They make a quick survey of the room and see nothing. The two then move into the room, still prepared for an attack, in case there is anything that can not be seen. Kal and Ran move in as a second wave, all four spreading out. The room is 30 by 40 and there is a small table on the far wall. On the table can be seen a fancy key with a medium sized jewel in it. The key seems to be made out of some odd metal.
OODM: OK what do you want to do? Jason if you could send both maps back in JPG that would be great.
From: Kevin
Subject The treasure room
As Harp enters the room, Kal and Ran following him, he sees the table on the far wall, the key gleaming in the light. Nothing else is readily visible. That's it? A key on a table? They had not seen anything like this before. The keys had always been on the floor, waiting to be picked up.
Harp's desire to walk in and just take the key is tempered by the near disaster of the ghouls. "Hold!!" he says to the others in the room. "Does this feel right to any of you?" he asks.
OOC: Assuming anyone else has the same feelings, Harp will proceed as follows:
IC: "Kal, ask Surin to come up behind you and take a closer look."
The treasure room
Subject The treasure room
Kal beckons to Surin to come forward, and points at the key.
"I hope he's fully recovered" Kal thinks, "The little guy's been through alot already."
From: Ashley
Subject The treasure room
Surin makes his way to the key and starts checking for any traps that were probably on it. A few days ago he might have gotten excited at the glittery gem, but now he didn't much care -- all he saw now were the potential triggers and tripwires that were probably attached to it. That's what this place was about, after all.
OOC: unless we're in some kind of hurry Surin will take 20 on the search :)
From: Porter
Subject The treasure room
Mund says nothing. If everybody wants to mince around, afraid to grab the key, he'll let them do that. He's a patient man.
From: Kevin
Subject The treasure room
OOC: Take all the time you want, unless you want to have Mund walk up and check for triggers - lol.
Surin does his thing, twice
Subject Surin does his thing, twice
Harp calls for every one to halt. This was different from anything else they had seen in here, and different worried him. "Kal, would you ask Surin to come up here and take a look. This is different and right now different worries me." When the halfling comes forward, a little doubt on his face, Harp tells him what he wants. "Other than the pit in the first hallway as we came in, there has not been any traps in this place. The set up in this room is different than any we have seen before. So I'm worried. Would you take a look, see if there are any traps. Take your time. We have all day." Harp smiles.
Surin is smart enough not to tell Harp that his smile is not all that comforting. The halfling turns to the room and eases past Ranthir and Kal. He pulls a dagger and starts looking at the floor in front of him. Over the next ten minutes Surin works his way across the room towards the table with the key (Search, take 20, 20+11=31). Mund shuffles his feet impatiently. He had always counted on his reflexes to save him from problems and this looking was getting to him.
After several minutes of looking over the table with the key on it Surin returns to the party. "Well, I can't promise nothin, but if there's somethin there, it's hid so good I can't find it, and I looked real good. My money is that it's just as it looks, a key sittin on a table." With a shrug, the halfling moves to the back of the party.
Harp turns to Mund. "Well you seem the most eager. Do you want the honor?" "Hell yes." is the reply and Mund walks towards the table. It is obvious to the others though that he is very careful to follow the path already checked by Surin. When he gets to the table Mund hesitates for a second and then with a lightening fast grab, snatches the key off the table. He is poised to react instantly to anything. In the silence Kal goes "Boo" loud enough for all to hear. Mund jumps and spins in place, taking a second to register who made the sound. Relief and anger battle each other in his face, but the key remains firmly in his hand.
Harp shoots Kal a dirty look but says nothing. When nothing happens, Mund returns to the party and they move back to the main room. Once there they all take a look at the new key. No one recognizes the metal at first, but after a few minutes of discussing it Allistair and Ragnar finally realize what it is. "Electrum" the dwarf says. "Old alloy, used in some ancient cultures. Mixture of gold and silver. Too soft to be of any real use, but pretty. The gem is a topaz of nice size and quality." There is a little more discussion and then the party is on to the next room.
They tromp back to the main room and then take up the usual order for a new room: Mund and Harp, Ranthir and Kal, Salix and Ragnar with Surin and Allistair bringing up the rear. The open the next door, which is the one on the north side of the east wall. They head down that hallway, for about 30 feet before Harp calls for a halt and motions Surin to move to the front again. At Harp's listening gesture, Surin nods and moves quietly down the rest of the hallway. He takes a while listening at the door and then returns to the party. "There's something there and it's not happy. Whatever it is doesn't speak any language I know, but I could tell it was pissed. And it sounded big and strong."
OODM: Ok folks let me know.
From: Mark
Subject Small correction
The door the party went down after finding the key was the eastern most on the north wall.
Let's all listen
Subject Lets all listen
Allistair speaks up. "Well, between all the languages known by us, perhaps we should try what we did before, have people listen at the door in groups of 2 or so and see if we can figure out what this is? Knowing about that white dragon certainly made dealing with it a little easier."
From: Kevin
Subject Lets all listen
Harp nods in agreement. "Mund, would you go with your brother and Salix first, since they seem to know more than the rest of us. If they don't recognize it, then we can have Kal and Ragnar see if they do."
From: Karl
Subject Lets all listen
In case I have to say it explicitly, Salix will do as Harp requests.
From: Porter
Subject Lets all listen
Mund will too. Of course, since Mund knows Orcish, he'll take a listen as well.
From: Mark
Subject Lets all listen
Allistair speaks up. "Well, between all the languages known by us, perhaps we should try what we did before, have people listen at the door in groups of 2 or so and see if we can figure out what this is? Knowing about that white dragon certainly made dealing with it a little easier." Harp nods in agreement. "Mund, would you go with your brother and Salix first, since they seem to know more than the rest of us. If they don't recognize it, then we can have Kal and Ragnar see if they do." The two humans and the 1/2 elf split off from the party and try and work their way down the hallway as quietly as possible.
When they are about 10 feet from the door they can hear whatever is in the room. The three listen for a while, looking at each other every now and then, curious looks passing between them. After about 30 seconds they head back up the hallway. Shaking their heads they report that none of them understood anything to be a language. "I doubt it was a language that was being spoken, or rather yelled. There are certain patterns and such that languages have and that had none of them" says Allistair.
From: Josh
Subject Lets all listen
Kal waits for Harp's descision.
From: Porter
Subject Lets all listen
Mund picks a flea out of his hair.
From: Kevin
Subject Lets all listen
OOC: Does Allistair or Ragnar have the Enlarge Person spell memorized? We used that once before against the land shark and Harp is thinking (dangerous proposition, I know) that that maybe useful once again.
Mark, Surin mentioned that the "thing" sounded "big" What gave him that impression? Did the sound impressions come from well above his hearing height? I am just trying to determine if Harp has enough information to think the Enlarge Person spell mgiht be appropriate?
From: Ashley
Subject Lets all listen
I'll answer that -- "Look at how you're walking around compared to how, say, I walk around. Your legs are a whole lot longer and bigger, so your footfalls are a lot heavier and farther apart than mine. From what I could hear, I'd guess that they're pretty big."
Doors, weapons and plans
Subject Taking a listen
IC: "So these things sound even larger and bigger than me? OK, at least we have something to go on"
OOC: Once we determine if we have the Enlarge Person spell available, Harp is going to suggest once they enter the room the spell caster be ready to cast it on Mund. Harp will also be ready to cast Bulls Strength on Mund.
Is Mund ok with that plan?
From: Derek
Subject Taking a listen
Allstair has enlarge person memorized. "However, is it still wise for us to charge into the room? In the previous rooms, we had a much more favorable outcome when we simply opened the doors and let the monsters come to us. Charging in blindly has been nearly disasterous, especially in the last room with those undead things."
From: Kevin
Subject Taking a listen
IC: "I don't plan on rushing in any where. I do want to have a basic plan to fall back on if we run into a couple of 12' tall trolls, or maybe a giant, or something else really big. IF what is in there cannot get through the doors, then we can sit back and think up something else."
OOC: If Mund is OK with the potential of getting up-sized, then Harp will suggest that they move forward and slowly open the door trying to get an idea of what is inside the room.
From: Josh
Subject Taking a listen
OOC: Kal's plan is to sit in the back line for the beginning of this fight. He doesn't want to cast bull's strength yet, but wants to be out of danger so he can.
From: Randy
Subject Taking a listen
"Why don't we send Mund to the door to make a lot of noise and open the door. Mund can then turn tail and run back to join us in the main room. With any luck, the creature will follow him and Allistair can be ready with a fireball from the end of the corridor. Mund is quick and so he should have plenty of time to make the retreat. The only problem I see with this idea is that the creature may not take the bait. What do you guys think?"
From: Karl
Subject Taking a listen
Or the creature might not fit through the door. (just sayin')
From: Ashley
Subject Taking a listen
but aren't the doors ginormous?
From: Mark
Subject Doors
The whole door mechanism takes up about a 10 foot wide section, left to right and up and down. The doors themselves are not 10 X 10. When I mean the mechanism, I am talking about the door frame, hinge assembly, locking/latching mechanism. The actual opening of the door itself is closer to -8 feet across and the same high.
They are large doors by our standards but not by "dungeon" standards. :)
From: Porter
Subject Plans
Mund is surprised to hear Harp suggest that Mund receive the buffing. In the past, it always appeared that Harp wanted the buffs and the glory himself. But Harp *has* been letting others go in as the first wave. Perhaps Mund misjudged this orc. Sure, he's got a bug up his butt, and hates himself, but for all that he ain't that bad.
Mund has nothing against getting buffed up, but he listens to his brother and agrees that they should see if they can defeat this next creature with guile instead of Mund's blood.
From: Karl
Subject Doors
-8 feet? So they are dimension doors?
From: Mark
Subject Doors
I expected better jokes from you Karl. That is on my brothers level. :)
From: Kevin
Subject Plans
"Not a bad idea, but I would still like to get an idea what it is? Knowing our luck, it will turn out that it can't be hurt by fire.
Mund and I, with you, Ranthir and Kal behind us, will open the door a little bit to try and see what it is. The rest will hang back a bit by the main room. If this thing looks like it can make its way through the door, then we hightail it back into the main room, and let Allistair do his fireball thing and then we can beat the hell out of it. If it looks like it can't fit through the door (like those big bugs a few rooms back), then we can have the others come back and we can work something out. If this thing is as big as Surin thinks it is, then I think at least one of us should be their size, and our friend Mund here seems to be anxious to give it a try."
OOC: Sound like a plan?
From: Mark
Subject Weapons
Also, I want a weapons list. What weapons does your character have in hand when this goes down.
From: Porter
Subject Weapons
Axe (nonmagical :( )
From: Randy
Subject Weapons
Crossbow.
From: Jason
Subject Weapons
Ragnar will have his longsword and shield in hand.
From: Karl
Subject Weapons
Salix will have his shield in one hand and the other hand free.
From: Josh
Subject Weapons
Kal's got his rapier.
From: Mark
Subject Weapons
Ok I am going to assume that Allistair does not want a weapon in hand, that Harp will use his sword and shield and that Surin will use his throwing axes.
I need to know when the enlarge person spell will be cast, before or after the door is opened. I also need to know who is down by the door when it is opened.
From: Kevin
Subject Plans
OOC: The plan is for Harp and Mund to be directly in front of the door (Harp will have his sword in hand, shield in the other, with Mund opening the door). Allistair (and Salix, Surin and Ragnar with Ragnar more toward the front) will be 25-30 feet back, so that he can move forward as Mund does and cast the Enlarge Person spell on Mund when Harp gives him the order (Allistairs instructions will be to cast it when Harp or Mund calls for him to do so- if we come back toward him, he is not supposed to cast it. Mund will have to wait for Allistair to cast but he will want to just be in the room as this happens (maybe a 5 ft step?). I expect Ran and Kal will follow Harp and Mund into the room (assuming they actually enter the room). the other 4 can move up closer to the door as they see fit
Mark, please play it that if we see a 20 foot tall creature that looks like it would have a tough time fiting through the door way that we back away and see how we can do this without entering the room.
If I am over playing this and committing your guys characters to things that they would not do, say so. Harp is just trying to organize his assets (like having a Holocaust cloak and not knowing about it) to best effect.
Prep work, turn and big teeth
Subject prep work
Everything looks good to me. Now where did Harp put that cart that the Albino had?
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Ok unless I hear from someone differently I will write up the obit, I mean turn, this afternoon.
From: Kevin
Subject Prep work
He left it in the Pit of Despair. Darn forgettful of him.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Sorry I have not gotten anything out. I got 6 request for quote in the 1/2 hour I took for lunch and have been busting my ass to get them all done.
I may still be able to get something out before 5. If I don't it will be tomorrow at the earliest since I am busy most of the night.
From: Mark
Subject What big teeth you have
The four fighters move towards the door, leaving Ragnar, Allistair, Surin and Sailx a bit further up the hallway. When they get to the door they can still hear the noise of whatever is in the room. From here even Harp can hear the frustration and anger in the voice of whatever the creature is. Weapons ready, Harp waits until the voice seems to be a bit further from the door and signals to Mund to open the door.
The barbarian grabs the latch and opens the door. The room is brightly lit, except for the shadow that is cast by the thing on the opposite side of the room. The room looks to be 60X50 but the four hardly notices that. What they do notice is the large hulking figure that is pounding on the wall at the other side of the room. It easily stands 12 feet high , even though it is stooped over, and it seems to be almost as much across but is probably only half that. It walks with a hunched gait and its hands drag sharp claws on the ground. It turns, and a huge mouth filled with teeth opens as another scream is let go. As it stops screaming its head comes level with the party and it stops moving.
OODM: Ok what do you do? I will send out a map tonight.
From: Jason
Subject Turn
Bah, what a lame excuse. I could come up with 6 quotes in like 3 minutes. Mark Twain has some good ones.
What to do
Subject My what big teeth
OOC: Quick Poll - enter and fight or back up and let it come to us (if it can)?
Let me know
From: Karl
Subject My what big teeth
Get Allistair to fireball the thing. (Any idea what it is?)
From: Derek
Subject My what big teeth
I say we lower our weapons and try and talk to the thing. If we can talk to it, and if we could convince it we are not enemies, it could be very helpful in the succeeding rooms. (Not that I think that will happen. My hunch is all creatures in all rooms must be killed no matter how we try to roleplay the thing...) If Harp gives the signal, Allistair will send a fireball right down its throat.
From: Ashley
Subject My what big teeth
too bad he's not so big that he can't get stuck in the doorwary. Unless he's somehow unable to crouch himself two feet to get through.
From: Randy
Subject What to do
Ranthir agrees with Allistair. It stopped acting aggressively when it saw us so perhaps it can be communicated/reasoned with. If it shows any signs of aggression, Allistair can whip off that fireball as we run like little girls down the hallway.
From: Mark
Subject What to do
A couple of things. Only the 4 fighters at the door have actually seen it. The others are about 25 feet back from the door. Right now there is no way Allistair can cast a fireball at it.
Also, the creatures response seems more one of surprise than calming down. Time is frozen at the moment, with Harp and Mund sort of looking at the thing and it is looking back. I will do an initiative roll for the four at the door and the creature and you can plan your actions from there.
From: Karl
Subject What to do
Well, it stopped what it was doing. It might very well have stopped so it could figure out what we are and how best we might be killed. I *supposed* you could say that's not agressive *action*. . . ;-)
From: Mark
Subject At the door
Initiative: Kal (24), creature (18), Harp (16), Ranthir (11), Mund (5).
Kal stands behind Harp as Mund opens the door, tensing himself to be ready for anything. As the door is opened they can all see the hulking figure at the other side of the room. It takes it a second before it turns and notices them and it stops its angered howling just for a second. Kal tenses himself to react if the thing does anything hostile. When the creature looks right at them, its six eyes all focusing on them, Kal can tell that this is not going to end well. The thing gives a horrendous scream and charges the door. Kal leaps between Mund and Harp, who seem not to have realized what was happening yet, and pulls the door shut. Just as the door latches close, its frame and the wall around shudder with the impact of the beast.
The four stand there for a second, ready to defend themselves when the creature breaks down the door. However, although they can hear the pounding from the beast on the other side, and the door shakes and shudders at each blow, it surprisingly does not break.
From: Josh
Subject What to do
"Lets open the door and fight it. A fireball isn't going to be very effective against this opponent -- He's very fast and he's close to us. We have no way to put distance between whoever opens the door and this creature.
There's only one of him and 8 of us. We can defeat it."
If everyone decides to open the door and fight it, Kal wil first cast Bulls Strength on himself. (Before we open the door).
From: Josh
Subject What to do
Kal takes a 5 foot step back and says calmly. "Give the word Harp".
He then prepares to cast Bulls Strength on himself.
From: Kevin
Subject What to do
Harp watches as the creature stares them down, and then charges across the room toward them. Harp just stood there, with Mund, watching as it bears down on them. Just at the last second, Kal jumps between them and yanks the door shut, the beast crushing into the door on the other side. Harp breaks from his seeming trance and says to Kal "At least one of us was awake. God's, how big that thing is"
He listens as Kal suggests attacking it, now the obvious plan since the creature had shown itself to be overly aggressive. For a moment there, Harp thought that the thing might not attack, but it was not to be so. Harp motions for the others to follow him back to where the rest of the group is.
Harp describes the creature (and the room layout) to Salix and Allistair, asking them if they know what it is from the description. He will also say to the rest of the group "It looks like we are going to have to fight that thing, but I want to wait a few minutes to see if it will leave the door. I want some room around the door if we can get it. Allistair, I think we are going to want to have you use that Enlarge Person spell on Mund when we fight this thing. I want at least one of us to be close to its size - hopefully Mund will get the brunt of its attention while the rest of us harry it from the back and side. Mund, I will also ask for the Battle Lords blessing to increase your strength, so you can sink that battle axe of yours even deeper into that thing than normal."
Harp will wait to hear from Salix or Allistair.
OOC: Any other ideas? I am thinking of waiting for a 1/2 hour or so, then bursting back into the room, Mund growing in size as he enters and taking center stage while the rest of us work our way to its sides. Any other suggestions or nifty ideas are welcome.
From: Porter
Subject What to do
"That ain't a bad plan, and it sounds like fun. I'd love to fight that giant on his own level," Mund says with a toothy grin.
"As fun as it would be, let me throw another idea out there. We can handle this like we handled the ogre. Everybody goes down the hall. I'll poke my head in and get him to chase me, putting an arrow in his hide if I have to. While coming down the hall, several of us including Allistair can attack him from a distance. He chases me down the hall until he's surrounded by everybody and we gang up on him."
From: Mark
Subject What to do
Um, I tried to make it obvious. The thing can not fit through the door.
From: Porter
Subject What to do
Why not? It's 12 feet tall and the door is 8/8 feetl. That's like a six foot tall man going through a 4/4 opening -- easy if you crouch or get on your hands and knees.
From: Derek
Subject What to do
Sweet! Projectiles and polearms time!
(It wasn't obvious to me either for some reason...)
From: Josh
Subject What to do
DnD protip #1: Dont argue with the DM when his ruling helps you.
:-D
From: Porter
Subject What to do
OOC: OK, then let's use this this turn for Mund:
IC:
"That ain't a bad plan, and it sounds like fun. I'd love to fight that giant on his own level," Mund says with a toothy grin.
"But it looked to me like he couldn't get through the door no matter how hard he tried. Unless he's got some boulders or something in there, he can't hurt us less'n we go in there. Maybe we can kill him like we killed those giant bugs -- from a distance."
From: Mark
Subject What to do
You are going to have to trust me on this. Due to the physical make of of the thing it can not get through the door. The 12 foot hight already includes the fact that it is seriously hunched over. There are also other factors involved that I can not go into since no character knows what it is.
From: Porter
Subject What to do
OK. I hadn't realized that the 12 foot thing was already hunched over. Thanks for the clarification.
From: Mark
Subject What to do
Harp, Kal and Mund did note that the thing had very long arms. In fact they dragged on the ground.
From: Kevin
Subject What to do
Harp responds " Your right, I would like to take it out from a distance, but (as he looks at his empty bolt case) I don't know how many arrows and bolts we have left. We went through a lot of them on those big bugs.
But, your brother Allistair can probably hit that thing with a fireball without too much trouble, and then while it is running aound in pain, we can move in, pump you up to its size, let you take the lead while the rest of us pester it from the sides. If you keep its attention, Ragnar can probably make sure you don't get too hurt - those claws look like they can do some real damage.
OOC: Proposed plan - after a few more minutes, Mund goes up to the door, opens it, and then runs back down the hallway toward where the rest of us are waiting. While Allistair throws the fireball when he sees the creature, Harp will cast Bless on the group. While it is burning, we head down the hallway to the room, normal order, Allistair casting Enlarge Peson on Mund while Harp casts Bulls Strength on Mund (Kal has already said he plans on casting BS on himself). Mund grows as he enters the room and takes the point in attacking the creature. Ran and Harp head to one side,Kal, Salix and Surin the other, trying to get in flanking positions. Ragnar stays behind Mund and in front of Allistair, while Allistair casts whatever he wants.
Sound like a plan?
From: Jason
Subject What to do
If Harp/Mund like, Ragnar has prepared Shield of Faith (2 AC bonus) as well as Magic Weapon (he didn't like not being able to hurt gargoyles), both of which he can cast on Mund.
From: Josh
Subject what to do
Kal's got 3 magic missles he can fire off at the thing.
What to do cont., map and the plan
Subject What to do
Jason, I am sure Mund would appreciate the extra AC. His is going to drop alot with the extra size and if he goes into a Rage (which I expect he will do).
From: Mark
Subject Map
Here is the map of the room and the hallway outside. I would like everyone to let me know, using the grid designators where your character will be. You know like Mund is in B3, etc.
From: Karl
Subject What to do next
Salix will be wherever Harp wants him, although he will say to Harp, "I have several spells that could help in battle with this creature, but I will need line of sight to use them effectively. Where would you like me to stand?"
From: Randy
Subject What to do next
While, until the fireball is sent and we are ready to move forward Ranthir will be hanging back towards the end of the hall. He will stand behind Harp. Probably at B or C 9. He will follow Harps lead on entering the room.
From: Porter
Subject Magic weapon
The magickers talk back and forth about the different ways they can make Mund more powerful. They keep asking Mund his opinion, as though he knows anything about magick. "Whatever you think. You're the magickers." he keeps saying, barely listening to the descriptions of the magicks.
But then Ragnar describes a spell that would make it as though whatever weapon Mund is using is a magical weapon, enabling him to fight creatures like the ghost or the gargoyles. "Hell yeah!" Mund says enthusiastically. "That sounds great!"
Mund wants to find out as much as possible about this miracle spell. Out of all the magickers, who can cast it? Is it only Rangar, or can any of Harp, Salix, and Allistair as well? How many times a day? How long does it last?
From: Mark
Subject Magic weapon
OODM: Mund might become a cleric if they can make weapons magic. :)
From: Porter
Subject Magic weapon
If the stupid DM would give us some decent treasure so that Mund could have a magic weapon, he wouln't need to do that. :p
It doesn't have to be fancy. A +1 kopesh sword would do nicely. Or a dagger. Or an bracers of magic fang.
Or *ANYTHING*!!!! :grrrrrr:
From: Karl
Subject Magic weapons
Well, I've heard of worse reasons for converting. ;-)
From: Mark
Subject Magic weapons
You got some treasure off the ogres in the first room. You have gotten all these neat keys.
I mean jesh. ;)
From: Porter
Subject Magic weapons
I slayed a friggin Dragon and all I got was this lame key. <_<
From: Kevin
Subject The plan
OOC: Sorry guys, my image of the room and hallway layout were different that what it acutally is.
I am going to propose the following:
We are lined up 40-50 feet down the hallway from the door (Harp and Mund in front, Kal and Ran next, etc.). Mund moves down to the closed door, opens it and gets the creatures attention. As it rushes the door, Mund scoots back to where we are waiting. Allistair targets C2 for the fireball, catching as much of the creature in the effect as possible (burning its arms off would be good).
Allistair would have informed us of how far back we need to stand to stay out of the blast range. Once the fireball goes off, we make a move down the hallway (with Allistair casting EP on Mund, Harp BS on Mund, Kal BS on himself, Ragnar doing MW on Mund's axe. Next turn, Mund leads into the room, pushing back the creature if needed. We enter the room, Ranthir and Harp to one side, Kal and Salix to the other, Surin where ever he thinks he can get a good lick in, Ragnar close to Mund for healing if needed and as a stopper in front of Allistair. I would like to keep a healing type close by a fighter type in case this thing gets in a really good hit.
Mund will try to keep the creatures attention while the rest of us pepper it from the sides. Remember it has a 10' reach and it will get an AOO if you try to close without using a 5 ft. step.
Overly complicated, I know, but they are not going to get any easier and we need to use what we have to our advantage.
Any suggestions or improvements?
From: Mark
Subject Magic weapons
It was a baby dragon. You beat up on a child. :)
From: Porter
Subject Magic weapons
Then instead of a magic sword, I should have gotten a magic dagger. <_<
From: Karl
Subject The plan
Salix can cast Bull's Strength, too, if you think we need it. If not, he has it for the next battle.
From: Josh
Subject The plan
We're not gonna try to kill this thing with missles? Kal's got 3 MM's, I'm sure allistar's got a ton, and there's probbaly some ranged weapons among us.
From: Kevin
Subject The plan
OOC: Harp is concerned that the creature's arms are long enough to reach through the door and hit whoever might be standing there to cast spells. He would rather have a big meat shield (like Mund) occupy the things attention while the rest of us beat on it (with spells or swords, depending on what you got).
From: Kevin
Subject The plan
OOC: Karl, lets keep that in reserve at this point.
From: Josh
Subject The plan
We can all shoot from something like 30 feet. I don't think that'll be a problem.
From: Jason
Subject The plan
ooc I thought Mund might like this spell :)
Not to volunteer someone else's character's abilities here, but wouldn't call lightning work nicely here? Trapped target, plenty of time to just wait for the bolts to come. If nothing else, it might drive him away from the door so we can get in. If not, we just keep blasting it until it dies or we run out of lightning, then charge.
As for position, Ragnar will be between Allistair and the door, and close enough to Mund to hold his weapon for a round to cast magic weapon if needed. Sorry that's not an exact location, but hopefully its good enough.
IC: As Ragnar mentions that he could enchant Mund's weapon to become magical, the barbarian's impatience disappears in a wide grin. Pleased by the sudden onslaught of questions, he replies "It requires only that I handle your weapon for a moment, asking the blessing of Heironeous on it. I'm sure Harp could do the same. Your brother might be able to work the same effect by his arcane arts, but I'm not sure./ooc its a level 1 wizard spell, but only Allistair knows if he has it/IC I'm only prepared to ask for the blessing once today, but it will last for five minutes, plenty of time for one fight and possibly enough for a second. It was the gargoyles we fought the other day that made me think of it; I was unable to harm them, and simply grabbing one like you did would not have even occured to me."
From: Josh
Subject The plan
I wasn't very clear here.
We can probbaly stand on b4 and angle it in no problem. Worth a shot at least.