Round 3 redux, round 4 and grappling rules
Subject Round 3 redux
Round 3 Initiative: Kal (24), Harp (20), Ranthir (19), Mund (19), Allistair (18), Ragnar (18), GargoyleL4 (15), GargoyleN1(14), Surin (9), GargoyleJ7(5) Salix (3).
Kal continues moving towards the creatures, trying to get into a position that will flank one of them. As he moves by the creature it takes a swing at him(AOO, leaving a threatened square H3) However the elf reacts with lightening fast reflexes and is just able to dodge the claw that lashes out at him (AC18,11+6=17,miss). The elf positions himself so that the beast is between Harp and himself. His rapier darts in (AC16,7+10=17, hit, damage 8) and pierces the beast through the eye, a gray liquid squirting out from the orb. The beast falls to the ground, a clawed hand grasping at its ruined eye.
Harp is relieved to see the elf follow his commands and take out one of the creatures. Now only two to go. Harp turns his attention to the one that was behind him and attacks with his full strength (AC16, 19+10=29, hit, critical threat, critical threat roll, AC16, 9+10=19, critical hit, damage 22) The 1/2 orc moves(5 foot step to J6) and spins in a whirling attack his sword flashing around in a half circle arc. The sword connects and cuts a deep gash across the chest of the creature(J7).
Ran continues moving along and toppling statues. He rushes to the next statue that has not moved (K2) and again throws his shoulder into it (STR check DC15, 4+4=8) This time however the 1/2 elf is unable to budge the statue.
When Mund gets Surin back to the wall he turns and sees that the orc is surrounded on all four sides. He watches as the elf kills one of them and Harp strikes another with a mighty blow. His blood boils and the barbarian channels the bear totem of his clan. Shouting a war yell he drops his axe and shield and charges the closest foe (J7). He lowers his shoulder and tries to tackle the beast. (AC12, 10+10, hit) and crashes in to the beast. The barbarian tries to wrap his arms around the beasts and tries to trap its arms in his grip (Opposed grapple check, Gargoyle 12+6=18, Mund 9+10=19, success). Mund is able to get his arms around the creature and pin them in place.
Allistair watches the elf take down one of the gargoyles but his view is blocked by the wall and the others in front of him. He hears his brother's war yell and the mage moves just in time to see his brother's axe bounce off the gargoyle. He also notices that it looks like Harp's sword has already done some serious damage to it. He concentrates and chants the spell again, and another three bolts streak from his fingers and strike the remaining gargoyle (N1) solidly in the chest (Damage 10).
Ragnar continues keeping an eye out, seeing that the the battle seems to be turning. No major injuries on their side and two of the creatures are down. Surin stands near him fascinated by the fierce combat taking place in front of him.
The gargoyle that Mund had pinned struggles to free itself (Opposed grapple check, gargoyle 6+6=12, Mund 12+10=22, fail) but the barbarian just squeezes it tighter.
The other gargoyle (N1) attacks Harp. He barely catches one claw on his shield (AC21, 14+6=20,miss) and is able to easily block the other claw with his sword (AC21, 3+6=9,miss). However, this leaves the 1/2 orc out of position and he is unable to avoid the mouth full of teeth that clamp down on his arm, just above his bracer (AC21, 18+4=22, hit, damage 4).
Salix calls another bolt of lightening from the clouds near the ceiling and a bolt strikes the gargoyle that attacked Harp. However, this creature seems to have learned from the other bolts it has seen and is able to jump out of the way when the bolt strikes (REF save, DC16, 15+6=21, save, damage 5).
OODM: I am sorry it took so long to get this done. I was swamped at work yesterday getting ready for my trip and I have spent most of the day at home getting ready as well.
I need round 4 actions. I have included a map.
From: Porter
Subject Round 4 actions
Ha! Mund thinks. Normal swords may not harm them, but they still have an ass to fall onto.
The creature struggles, but Mund is able to stay on top of him. Mund arches his body, driving his shoulder and much of his body weight into the creature's chest, trying to squeeze the breath out of it.
OOC: I want to try to do nonlethal damage to the creature. I don't even know it's possible, but I want to try.
Also, you didn't include a map.
From: Mark
Subject Round 4 actions
The map is the same as the one I sent last week. The positions have not changed.
I will put the map up on Sake river tomorrow.
Mund is at H6, the gargoyle he pinned is at I6 and Harp is at J6. The other gargoyle is at J5.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 4 actions
Mark, is Harp able to attack the grappled gargoyle with out harming Mund? I was not able to determine this from a quick look at the PHB.
From: Josh
Subject Round 4 actions
Kal's still going to J4 and attacking that gargoyle.
From: Josh
Subject dark lines
Mark: Do those thick black lines on on the map in the middle of the room indicate anything?
From: Mark
Subject dark lines
No I was copying Character signifiers and the formating of the boxes came with it. I will try and fix that with the new map.
From: Mark
Subject House rule
It is not covered as far as I can tell, but I am going to make a house rule.
You are unable to attack a foe who is being grappled with out there being a chance you could hit the person grappling him. So you could attack but he would have some cover and there is a chance of hitting Mund.
I am only going to use this rule when the two grapplers are of the same size catagory.
From: Mark
Subject Round 4
Round 3 Initiative: Kal (24), Harp (20), Ranthir (19), Mund (19), Allistair (18), Ragnar (18), GargoyleN1(14), Surin (9), GargoyleJ7(5) Salix (3).
With motions that look nothing like fighting Kal pulls his rapier from the eye socket of the gargoyle. In one fluid move he steps across and spins, his sword flashing out and striking at the back of the gargoyle facing Harp (AC16, 16+14=30, hit, damage 11). The rapier tip slides between the creatures ribs and almost hits Harp when it comes out the other side. The creatures eyes open wide and it looks down with a surprised look on its face as the rapier is pulled back out.
Harp takes advantage of the gargoyle distraction and thrusts his longsword into the creatures belly. There is a small flash as the weapon pierces the tough hide (AC16, 6+12+18, hit, damage 11) and Harp slides his sword into the belly of the thing. He then twists it as he pulls it out and the creature falls, its grey blood flowing on the floor.
Ran redoubles his efforts at toppling the statue that stymied him just a few seconds before. The cords on his neck bulge and his arms strain as he grabs the statue and heaves it onto it side (STR check, DC15, 19+2=21, success).
Mund's battle rage takes on an almost joyous tone in his own ears. These things weren't so tough. Hell he had just tossed one on it's ass. Mund falls on top of the creature, driving his shoulder into the things chest, trying to drive the breath from it (Opposed grapple check, Mund, 4+12=16, Gargoyle 5+6=11, success, damage 0). Mund lands right on the middle of the chest and almost breaks his shoulder from the impact.
Allistair and Ragnar watch Mund tackle the beast in a state of amused horror. Ragnar hears Allistair mumble "That's my brother, tackle something that can only be hurt by magic weapons."
The gargoyle strikes back at the barbarian (AC20, 10+2=12, miss, 17+2=19,miss, 4+0=4, miss). However Mund is able to block all of the attacks before they make contact.
Surin and Salix wait. The druid would like to hit the beast with a bolt of lightening, but figures that such a strike would probably also strike Mund.
OODM: I need round 5 actions. I have included a new map.
From: Porter
Subject Grappling
From the SRD:
When an opponent has pinned you, you are held immobile (but not helpless) for 1 round. While you're pinned, you take a -4 penalty to your AC against opponents other than the one pinning you. At your opponent's option, you may also be unable to speak. On your turn, you can try to escape the pin by making an opposed grapple check in place of an attack. You can make an Escape Artist check in place of your grapple check if you want, but this requires a standard action. If you win, you escape the pin, but you're still grappling.
While not relating directly to the question, this makes it clear that while grappling you are a valid target to others.
At the very least, I think you should be able to target freely somone who is pinned and immobile.
But then, I disagree with this entire new rule. Here's some more SRD rules:
From: Mark
Subject Grappling
I never said that the gargoyle is not a valid target, but that Mund could also be an accidental target. If the gargoyle and Mund are in a pin/grapple, it would reduce the creatures armor class but possible also give him some sort of cover, basically Mund.
You've all seen the shows where the hero and a baddie are rolling around and the hero uses the baddie as a shield against another foe. Something like that.
Harp can attack the gargoyle, however it is not a guarenteed hit with no consequences if he gets a bad roll. And it is concievable that Mund might possibly get hit and or hurt.