Round 1 actions, round 1, round 2 actions, spells and races
Subject: The field
Mark, does Salix recognize this creature? Is it the bugbear he saw when he was flying around when we left the estate?
;-)
From: Bryan
Subject: Round 1 actions
Surin will move foward and attempt to attack the man. He'll move into a flanking position opposite Mund's, with the dog on the other side of the man so as to avoid drawing the attention of the animal by scent.
From: Mark
Subject: The field
No it is not.
From: Mark
Subject: Round 1 actions
Please remember that Ally, Mund and Surin will be -4 to hit in the dark.
From: Kevin
Subject: Round 1 actions
Well, Harp thinks to himselft, Mund had wanted to find the tribes. Looks like they had done that.
But, only one person chasing them??? Faldor had to know there was more than one. It wasn't like they had left in complete silence. Then he hears the 1/2 orc say "huntsmen" and "we". That could only mean one thing - there were more of them in the darkness.
"Ragnar, give us some light" he says to the dwarf standing behind him. To the group in general he says "I think there are more of them hiding in the woods. Watch out".
Harp will draw his sword as his move action, and if possible, cast protection from evil on himself as his standard action. He casts as a 4th level for this spell (domain good) so it should last 4 minutes.
From: Bryan
Subject: Round 1 actions
Do we want to make some light to see by, or will the nightvision offered by some of our party offset the negative consequences incurred by Mund, Ally and Surin?
From: Randy
Subject: Round 1 actions
Ranthir begins to move forward to attack but at Mund's word he changes course and positions himself behind a tree (F10). As he moves, he scans the area to his right, aware that there may be more of these huntsmen. He waits to see what will come of this line of conversation, his sword at the ready.
From: Bryan
Subject: Round 1 actions
OOC (yet again): I have to get some sleep now: I'll be out for at least 6 hours. If the party decides it is best, Surin will ask for light prior to heading towards the evildoer.
From: Karl
Subject: round 1 actions
Salix will call his first bolt of lightening down on the speaker.
From: Karl
Subject: round 1 actions
It's not by any chance stormy (or cloudy, or hot and dusty - you see what I'm getting at, right?)
From: Porter
Subject: round 1 actions
Can Mund remove the hood from his torch on his shield to get rid of that? There doesn't seem to be much need for hiding right now.
From: Mark
Subject: Round 1 actions
Yes he can as a move action.
From: Mark
Subject: round 1 actions
It is not a particularly stormy night. It is dark however, so you get brownie points for atmosphere. :)
From: Derek
Subject: round 1 actions
With Surin invisible, Allistair will move next to Ragnar who is carrying Acer. He whispers to Ragnar, "Let me cast my rope trick and put Acer inside. Then I'll climb inside and close the door. That way even if the rest of you are routed, they won't be able to get him back easily."
Allistair will cast rope trick, and have the window be 5' into the air. Then he will ask Ragnar to help him get Acer into the window.
From: Kevin
Subject: Round 1 actions
Mark has always ruled that if a character has darkvision(nightvision) he also has lowlight vision. The use of torches would not negatively affect those with darkvision (Harp and Ragnar), would be of slight help to those with low light, but would greatly help those with normal vision (Surin, Ally and Mund).
I say bring out the torches. If Ragnar keeps one close to the group in back, and Mund unwraps his up front, that should work.
From: Porter
Subject: races
Of course, it will also greatly help our opponent, who is just as human as Mund, I'm assuming.
From: Mark
Subject: round 1 actions
There is not a door, as I understand it. It is more like a window that you access with the rope. If you pull the rope up then no one can get in.
From: Kevin
Subject: Races
Actually, a few of us know what he is, especially Harp, but none of us have thought about mentioning it yet.
From: Porter
Subject: Races
He said he's Snow Leopard of the Wildlands. He's a member of a human tribe. Without seeing him, Mund would assume that he's human.
So, do y'all think Mund should help some of us and him, or suck it up and fight in the darkness?
From: Kevin
Subject: Races
He sure seemed to be able to see us without a light.
From: Josh
Subject: Round 1 actions
Mund's not going to try to talk our way out of this?
From: Porter
Subject: Round 1 actions
Mund's trying, but I'm planning for the future, as I don't reckon he'll succeed.. :)
From: Jason
Subject: Round 1 actions
Sorry for my rather delayed replies the last couple of days.
IC: Ragnar starts to say something, but the others react far faster than he and so he lets the words die on his tongue. Seeing that his friends are having difficulty in the darkness, he intones the orison that would light the darkness (He'll cast it on Mund's axe, assuming that doesn't give any penalties or anything.)
From: Derek
Subject: Round 1 actions
Ragnar probably wants it on something where Ragnar and Ally are, since Mund already has a torch that he's uncovering.
From: Mark
Subject: Round 1 actions
Light is a touch spell, so Ragnar would have to move up to Mund and touch his ax, which Mund is holding getting ready to fight. I am sure there is a closer object that could be lit up.
From: Mark
Subject: Races
Just like The Bear Tribe, the other barbarians are not always hostile to the orc tribes. They accept 1/2 orc's fairly easily into the tribe. In fact they find them damn useful at certain times.
From: Porter
Subject: Races
Ooh. Good point. Thanks for the heads up. I should have realized that, considering Mund's past.
OK, while Mund is talking to this guy, I want him to uncover his torch.
From: Jason
Subject: round 1 actions
Ok, Ragnar will cast the light spell on whatever Allistair is holding.
From: Derek
Subject: Races
Allistair plans on jumping up into the rope trick after Acer is in there, he should probably cast light spell on his own helmet or shield or something.
From: Porter
Subject: Races
How about his head?
From: Karl
Subject: Spells
I have a question. I'm assuming that Salix was successful in his prayer, but there was no bolt of lightening. I'm assuming then that the first bolt can't come until the next round? Is it still possible for Salix to lose this spell? Or is it active until he uses it up (or 6 minutes pass) or he dismisses it? If the latter, and if you don't mind a small revision in my turn, Salix will give one attempt at parlay saying "Faldor only rewards with *death*, Vortan. Go see to the safety of your people and let us pass, elsewise we will be forced to defend ourselves." He will call the bolt immediately if there is any attack move by Vortan, his dog, or anyone else.
On the other hand, if delay in calling a bolt opens up a serious risk of losing the spell Salix probably wouldn't be even that patient with a minion of Faldor.
From: Karl
Subject: Round 1 actions
Also, I'm reading that no one else has actually attacked yet, right? Just cast spells in anticipation of battle.
(Basically I'm second guessing myself. I suspect battle is inevitable, but I'll also feel bad if I get us all killed. Salix on the other hand is pretty fed up with this whole situation, so long parley seems out of character and my previous email is just a concession to the *possibility* that there is a slim chance to avoid all out battle. If everyone is OK with battle we can just let the original turn stand. I'm offline until tonight, so I'll read about our bloody deaths one way or another when I get home. ;-)
From: Mark
Subject: spells
Well the spell is a full round action and the surprise round is only a standard action. So the first bolt will come during round 1. I will not let you stop the casting with out losing the spell but I will let you redirect the bolt you have called, say hitting an empty square somewhere near Vortan in an effort to make an intimidate check.
This way you would not "lose" the spell. Basically you have started an agressive action towards this guy. You can not call it back, only mitigate it.
From: Mark
Subject: round 1 actions
Well it is unlikely you will all die. In 1 round. Now in 5 rounds, that might be a different story. ;)
From: Porter
Subject: Round 1 actions
I can't believe that Mund of all people is the one trying to parley.
From: Kevin
Subject: Round 1 actions
OOC: I can. This is a member of one of the tribes, as close to a "cousin" as Mund is going to find. If this was an elf, Mund would have tried to cleave his head from his body already.
From: Porter
Subject: Round 1 actions
Tried??? I am offended, Sir. Mund would have succeeded.
From: Kevin
Subject: Round 1 actions
My apologies to Mund. He would have.
From: Josh
Subject: Round 1 actions
Yeaaaa rite.
From: Kevin
Subject: Spells
That is, of course, if he could have hit you.
Kal and Harp need to talk about a Shield Other set up when we get back to town. It would be like giving Kal 50% more HP.
From: Derek
Subject: Round 1 actions
Except that Kal hardly ever gets hit. His ability to dodge is uncanny.
From: Josh
Subject: Round 1 actions
That would be awesome. If someone lands a good hit on him, he's definitely feeling it. I can' t check right now (at work), but I think he's only got something like 42 hit points.
What does shield other do?
From: Porter
Subject: spells
He rarely gets hit, but when he does, he's got a glass jaw.
Remember what happened with that giant thing in the training grounds?
From: Derek
Subject: Spells
Oh yeah, that was bad. Kal got creamed. Of course, next room Ally got skewered by the maticore...
From: Porter
Subject: Spells
Yeah, well, they have about the same number of hit points, IIRC.
From: Karl
Subject: round 1 actions
Ah, I was wondering why the bolt didn't fire this round.
OK guys, should Salix just "warn" the guy? Or should he zap him? The "zap" isn't going to kill him, but it will make this undoubtedly a fight. It would be super if we could convince this guy to turn on Faldor and help us, but what are the odds of that? I think if we're definitely going to fight it would be good to get the jump on this dude. What do you guys think?
From: Mark
Subject: Round 1 actions
Make a decision quickly. I have to do the archives for yesterday and then some other small things, but I want to start writing the turn by 7:30PM.
From: Kevin
Subject: round 1 actions
I say jump on him. We got what he wants. He ain't goin' anywhere without Acer.
From: Kevin
Subject: Spells
Shield other uses 2 rings worth 50 gp each. When the caster does the spell, the wearer of the other ring gets the benefit of the caster taking 1/2 of the damage the wearer takes. So, if Kal got hit for 20 pts., Harp takes 10 and Kal only takes 10. So, I guess it really doubles his HP, up to what Harp has. Harp could then stand back and heal himself out of harms way.
It takes some time to set up, and two characters who have reason to use it, but Harp has 65+ HP, and will get some more when we finally level up, so it might be worth looking at.
From: Porter
Subject: round 1 actions
I say talk with him, or at least try.
Mark: Can Salix hold his action until after the tracker attacks or not, blasting him if he attacks, and blasting an open square if he doesn't?
From: Karl
Subject: Round 1 actions
In Salix's case, this spell lasts for 6 minutes, during which he can cast one bolt per round up to his caster level (or 6 bolts - would be 7 if he hadn't been wighted). The first bolt was called in the initial turn, so it's on the way (since there wasn't time in the surprise round to both complete the spell and get the bolt, right mark?) He can't stop that bolt, but Mark will make an exception by letting Salix use it as a warning bolt, hitting nearby but not on the attacker. That will basically waste the bolt if we end up in battle.
Frankly I think we're heading for battle, regardless. If we weren't so spent already, I'd say let's try to parley. I *could* make a case for Salix to try to parley, but in reality, I think he's just too fed up with Falkorites to give them the chance to jump us. This will probably piss off Mund, but Salix is willing to do that in this case. The Stormfather means far more to him than the whole passel of northmen (though he probably wouldn't say *that* to Mund's face).
So, Mark, just let Salix attack the guy with this first bolt as I originally intended
From: Mark
Subject: turn
Ok , starting work on the turn now. I hope to have it done by 9.
From: Porter
Subject: Turn
*pissed off*
:)
From: Mark
Subject: Round 1
Initiative for round 1.
Salix (26), Surin (24), Ranthir (24), Vortan (19), Dog (19), Mund (14), Harp (14), Ally (10), Kal (10), Snow Leopards (9), Ragnar (8).
"Weaklings? You don't know the meaning of power" Salix yells in the dark. Energy crackles around him and clouds start to form in the sky above them. At the same time Mund takes off the shroud on his shield and shouts to the figure "Stop! I am Mund of the Bear Clan of the Wildlands, and I tell you, you will die tonight, one way or another. The Northern Tribes are part of Faldor's sacrifice. If you take the old man back to Faldor, all of the tribes he has will die in that sacrifice." Vortan laughs at the two "I have seen the wonders that Faldor offers those who serve him. Your words are those of the dead. Worthless." He then shouts "Tusk, attack. Attack my Snow Leopards!"
Before Vortan can move though a bolt of lightening streaks down from the now overcast sky and blasts the man (REF save, DC16, 17+9=26, save, damage 5). At the last second he dodges out of the way, the bolt making a shattering impact in the ground next to him.
Surin, now invisible, works his way along the east flank as quickly as possible, keeping the man between him and the dog. He knows that dogs have a great sense of smell and that this spell probably would not hide him from the beast.
Ran moves a bit to his right, checking to see if maybe someone is hiding behind the bush several yards in front of him. As he moves he sees a figure (Hide Check, 10+5=15, vs. spot check 17+4=21) with a great sword in front of him, hiding behind the bush. His cautious movement becomes a full on charge as he rushes the figure. There is a flash of lightening just as Ran reaches him and he sees the man's head turn in surprise as Ran's sword flashes in the white light of lightening (AC15, 11+13=24, hit, damage 9). His blade cuts deep into the man's back, the chain shirt absorbing most of the blow.
Vortan lets out a ferocious howl. Axe and mace whirling in a deadly arc, rushes Mund (Charge). As he moves his ax bursts into flames and he swings the burning blade at Mund (AC24, 12+19=31, hit, damage 14). The flaming ax skids off Mund's breast plate, the burning edge scaring the mithral surface.
The dog, Tusk, moves with a speed that belies its size. It moves to the west, attempting to get into a flanking position. It moves around Kal, keeping its distance and then closes in with out attacking.
Mund screams at Vortan "Damn it, I didn't want to kill you. Now look what you've gone and made me do!" Mund releases the power of the bear and lashes out with his own ax, the frosty sheen a sharp counter point to the others flaming weapon (AC18, 4+14=18, hit, damage 11, 16+8=24, hit, damage 15). Mund's ax dances in his hand and he lands two solid blows. This close he can see that his foe is a half orc almost as big as Harp.
Harp chants a prayer to the battle Lord to grant him protection from evil. A small glow of light surrounds the ½ orc and then sinks into him. Pulling his sword,he grins and steps forward and to his right, just next to Vortan. "The Battle Lord has granted me the power to show you the error of your ways."
Ally whispers to Ragnar "Ragnar, I am going to cast that rope trick to get me and Acer out of danger. Give me a hand with him." The mage then chants the spell and holds out a short piece of rope. The rope slithers up and stops at about 5 feet in the air. Ally climbs up the rope and disappears. Seconds later Ragnar sees Ally hands appear out of nowhere and the mage's voice rings out "Ragnar, hand Acer up to me."
Kal realizes that the dog has taken up a flanking position behind him, leaving him vulnerable to Vortan. He sees Harp move up next to the ½ orc and decides to do the same. As he moves he strikes with his rapier (AC17, 20+13=33, hit, critical threat, 16+13=29, hit, critical hit, damage 11) and the thin blade slides through a small gap in the chain shirt, driving deep into Vortan's guts.
Behind him Kal hears a scream (B1). As he starts to turn he is almost cut in two by a great sword (AC21, 11+14=25, hit, damage 16). The elf stumbles as he tries to keep his footing.
Ran's foe also screams and swings his great sword at the ½ elf (AC21, 10+12=22, hit, damage 17). The ½ orc lands a crushing blow. Ran thinks he hears his collar bone snap, but his elven chain keeps him from being cut in two.
The crushing blow on his back is the first hint Harp has that the situation has gotten worse quickly (AC23, 11+14=25, hit, damage 21). The ½ orc looks over his shoulder and sees another ½ orc with a great sword.
Ragnar helps Acer over to where Ally is and helps the crippled man up the rope and into the rope trick.
OODM: End round 1. I need round 2 actions.
From: Kevin
Subject: Round 2 actions
OOC: 21 pts of damage???? Ouch!!! That hurt.
From: Porter
Subject: Round 2 actions
In orcish Mund taunts Vortan. "A flaming weapon? What, did your elf* mommy give that to you?"
Mund will do a full attack on Vortan.
*this word means both elf and prostitute
From: Karl
Subject: Round 2 actions
Salix will direct his second bolt to hit B3.
From: Porter
Subject: Round 2 actions
Why not concentrate on V and take him down ASAP?
From: Josh
Subject: spells
That's awesome. Are the rings consumed when the spell's cast?
If Kal took the ring off, would the effect stop?
We should definitely look into doing that.
From: Karl
Subject: Round 2 actions
I could. I was thinking that maybe my bolt would do more damage to B3 since it didn't seem to do much to V. (Guessing that he's somewhat less skilled at avoiding it than the big "V"). I was thinking it a toss up between adding a little damage to one target and maybe maximizing the damage Salix could do in general.
But I'm OK with either target.
From: Josh
Subject: Round 2 actions
Mark, whatever happened to Kal casting Scorching Ray?
From: Porter
Subject: Round 2 actions
That makes sense.
From: Josh
Subject: Round 2 actions
I ask because my plan was to have the scorching ray go off, and then after that cast bull's strength on Kal before attacking.
I'm not really complaining about the critical hit, but 4d6 probably would have done a little more damage, and it would have been nice to keep some distance. I imagined Kal stepping up 15 feet or so and then casting, staying sort of near the back lines for this one, at least until he was able to get the B.S off.
From: Kevin
Subject: spells
The rings are not destroyed, but Harp would have to cast the spell whenever the two of them wanted to take advantage. This does not keep Harp from going into battle.
For example, back when we got ambushed, it might have allowed Kal the comfort of taking a bit more of an offensive tact instead of defending, since he would have had efffectively 80 some hp instead of 40 some. So long as he and Harp don't both get hit with criticals at the same time, it gives the receiver a little extra breathing room damage wise. It does have some limitations (the two have to stay within 30 feet radius or so, etc), but if we are going into a set piece, or a situation like the alleyway we were in, it can be useful. It does have a nice duration (1 hour per level) so it would last 3-4 hours if Harp were to throw it.
The other option would be for Ragnar to do it with Harp. 7 hour duration, Harp gets 65 more HP, 60 ft radius range - Ragnar could heal himself as damage comes on. Something to think about when we head back after this.
From: Josh
Subject: Spells
Everyone just saw it. Harp proposed to an elf first, and then a dwarf. Oh the DRAMA. I can't wait to tune in next week. ;-) WHO WILL SAY YES?