Porter and child, round 3
Subject Porter and child
Porter,
Xerxes has my best wishes. I hope he makes a quick and full recovery!
Good luck.
From: Kevin
Subject Porter and child
Porter, our prayers for you, your son and your entire family. Hope things go well.
From: Karl
Subject Porter and child
Same from me, Porter. I missed the thread on Hatrack about your son. I'm sending good vibes your way.
Hugs,
From: Randy
Subject Porter and child
Porter,
Add my prayers to the list. I hope things are improving this week and that Xerxes will make a full recovery soon.
From: Mark
Subject Round 3
Initiative: Kal (19), Mund (19), Surin (18), Ragnar (13), Creatures II (11), Creatures (10), Allistair (9), Harp (8), Ranthir (8), Salix (8).
Round 3
Kal looks over his shoulder and watches in disgust as Mund runs away. However he is glad to see the orc move up and kill one of the things and that even the druid, half blood that he is, shows more bravery than that human. "Quickly" he tells them "finish these three." Kal's rapier darts out again seeking to pierce the heart of the beast in front of him (G7) and the blow strikes true (AC14, 13+13=26, hit, damage 7). His sword rams hilt deep right where the heart should be but the beast does not stop.
Mund hears Ran shout "Mund, get Surin out of here." The halfling was in trouble. It was bad enough for these things to attack him but to pick on the little one. Mund's mind sees red with anger and he moves with lightening speed to where the halfling is standing. He can see clearly that something is wrong. The little one is just standing there, not moving. Maybe he was turned to stone? Maybe it was the stench that these creatures had. It was almost as bad as Kantor's hut back home (FORT save, DC15, 20 +10=30, save).
Mund grabs Surin and hauls him back from the surrounding foes. As he does so the three closest (G14, G15, G16) all take a bite at the little halfling. Two of them connect (AC10, 19+5=24, hit, 3+5=8,miss, 11+5=16,hit, damage 4, damage 4) and tear out large chunks of Surin's legs. Mund is able to carry the halfling back to the door and past his brother.
Surin screams in pain, but only in his own mind. His mouth is frozen shut and he is unable to vent the agony that is going through his body. Mund gently sets him down and eyes burning, turns back to the fight.
Ragnar's faith is a little shaken when none of the undead seem to be bothered with his turning. He knew this worked. He had seem it before. This time he would do it right. Dropping his sword and holding up his shield, holy symbol shining in the dim light. The bright light of the battle lord again fills the room. This time it has an effect. Over half of the creatures cower from the bright light and move at a run to the far corner of the room and cower there. Ragnar, holding his shield in front of him, charges the closest foe (G13). As he does the beast gets a bite in at him (AC22, 17+5=22, hit, damage 8, Fort Save DC15, 5+7=12, fail). The teeth find a small gap in the armor and blood flows. Ragnar is surprised to feel his muscles tighten up and his body not respond to his commands (Paralyzed).
The beast that Ragnar had attempted to charge strikes back. It is able to take another bite out of him but his plate armor protects him from the claws (AC14, 9+5=14, hit, 3+3=6, miss, 8+3=11, miss, damage 11). The bite is a viscous one and a large part of his forearm is chewed away.
Ran finds himself opposing two foes. Concentrating on the one (G15) in front of him he prepares for the attack (AC21, 6+5=11,miss, 2+3=5,miss, 9+3=12,miss). Ran is able to dodge all the blow of the one he had just attacked, and is even able to evade most of the attacks of the one that had attacked Surin (G16) (AC20,6+5=11,miss, 7+3=10,miss, 19+3=22, hit, damage 5, FORT save, DC15, 16+6=22, save). However, the beast is able to claw a scratch into his thigh.
One more of the beasts move up and take another bite at the immobile form of Ragnar (AC14, 1+5=6,miss) but the dwarfs heavy armor is shields him again.
Allistair watches as Mund runs into the room and sets down a rigid Surin. "What the hell is going on in there? " he asks, not really expecting a reply. He steps into the room and can barely see the large group in the far corner. Ran sees him enter and yells while he is dodging the beasts "Blast the ones in the corner." Allistair has been waiting for this moment. He quickly pulls the bit of sulpher from his pouch and chants the fireball spell again. It streaks towards the crowd of beast and explodes with a silent roar. There is a rush of wind as air is sucked into the room to feed the fire. When the smoke clears there are only two of the creatures left standing. The smell in the room then gets to him and he pitches over, retching (Fort Save, DC15, 7+5=12, fail, sickened).
Harp is surprised when the creatures in front of him run in terror and is even more surprised to seem most of them incinerated. Looking around he sees that Ragnar is not moving. What happened? "Kal, Salix we need to help Ragnar" The 1/2 orc moves around the beast on the end and swings with all his might (AC17, 16+11=27, hit, damage 10). There is a disgusting smell but his 1/2 orc nose is not really bothered by it (DC15, 18+9=27, success).
Ran attacks the thing in front of him (G15) again. He is barely able to connect (AC17, 9+8=17, hit, damage 3) and leaves only a small cut.
Salix, following Harp's order steps next to Ragnar and attacks creature in front of the dwarf (G13), leaving Harp to deal with the one in front of him. His scimitar flashes but the beast is able to dodge out of the way (AC17, 2+6=8,miss). In his time in the Great North Woods, Salix has smelled some horrible thing and this smell does not bother him (Fort save, DC17, 19+6=25, success).
OODM : I need round 4 actions. Ragnar is paralyzed and Allistair is sickened. There are 7 creatures left, 2 of which are in really bad shape and trying to keep as much room between them and Ragnar as possible.
Round 4 actions and round 4
Subject Round 4 actions
Yes.
From: Karl
Subject Round 4 actions
Salix curses to himself as his blade slices air, cutting nothing, not even the stench of these foul creatures. What the hell were they anyway? Clearly they were foul things not meant for this world. This world? Well, who knew, but at any rate, not the natural world they'd left what seemed now like ages ago.
He should have held back. He was useless with steel against creatures such as these. Now he was too close, in the thick of things. He wouldn't be able to complete the prayer to Obad-Hai before one of these things sunk it's teeth into him. Ragnar was ample evidence that such a bite would be a bit more than a painful annoyance. He had to get far enough from these things to call upon his God, unmolested, but if he withdrew, Ragnar would be a standing buffet. He was committed.
(Salix will attack the creature in front of Ragnar, (to the left of Ragnar on the map) if it is still alive when his turn comes. If it isn't, he will attack any other creature threatening his square. If there are none, he will drop his scimitar and cast Produce flame, throwing a flame at the nearest creature. )
From: Randy
Subject Round 4 actions
Ranthir continues to focus his attention on the same creature. He continues to dodge the attacks, not wanting to suffer the same fate as his companions. "Cut down these foul creatures!" He shouts, trying to rally his companions and distract them from the danger they face.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 4 actions
OOC: Excuse me for adding my 2 cents worth, but couldn't Salix take a 5 ft step back and then cast his produce flame?
I am reviewing the write up and map and will have my turn in later today.
From: Porter
Subject Round 4 actions
Mund returns to the fight, moving to H5 and attacking the monster at G6 (named G15).
From: Mark
Subject Round 4 actions
He could if he used a free action to drop his scimitar. He could not sheath it.
From: Jason
Subject Round 4 actions
Ragnar exults as he sees the power of his god overcome more than half of the ghouls in the room. His arm had not sufficient power, nor had his armor saved him from the diseased bite, but the power of Heironeous held back his foes even when he himself was unable to move. Unable to further assist his companions, he begins to concentrate on moving his shield arm just a fraction of an inch.
ooc: Why is Ragnar's AC so low? He doesn't have any dex bonus to lose, and though I'd imagine he loses his shield bonus when paralyzed shouldn't he still be at 19 AC? Just curious, I don't know if paralyzed has other effects as well.
From: Mark
Subject Round 4 actions
When you are paralyzed your effective DEX is 0, which is a -5 to AC. It does not say that you lose your shield bonus but I can not believe that a paralyzed person could use a shield.
So your AC with the DEX mod is 19-5=14. Surin's is even lower, like around 8 or 9.
From: Kevin
Subject round 4 actions
Luckily, with all that metal around you, it is still hard for these things to get at you, even when you cannot move.
Ummmm, dwarf. Taaasty.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 4 actions
Harp watches the swirl of action around him. Mund's mad dash to pull Surin from the fray, Ragnar's display of holy might, driving a number of the creatures away from the group, and then his freezing. Allistair explosion at the other end of the room, enveloping many of their foes in flame. Harp turns and sees the rest of the group squared off with the ambushers. Well, that was something he knew how to deal with. He steps up and takes a mighty swing at the nearest creature and feels a satisfying chunk when the blade hits flesh and bone. It was just a process of elimination. Eliminate one opponent, then move onto the next. He sees Salix try to attack one of the creatures, but the druids aim is woefully off the mark. Harp shouts to him "Salix, back up and let me have a try at him" (OOC: This only happens if the situation presents itself).
OOC: Mark, depending on what the others before Harp do, Harp will attack the most logical opponent. He may not be smart, but he is methodical in his attacks. If he can move to get a flanking bonus, he will do so, but he will be reluctant to provoke an AOO, unless there is a dire need (Ragnar is being consumed by the creatures, etc.). He will work up the line (so long as there is a line).
From: Karl
Subject round 4 actions
Unfortunately, it wasn't hard *enough* when he was still able to move. :P
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Waiting on Derek and Josh to reply.
Technically we are also waiting on Ashley but I can see why she has very little to say. :)
From: Ashley
Subject Round 4 actions
For once, Surin is going to be the strong, silent type. He just hopes that he'll be healed before the petrification wears off and he screams like a little girl.
From: Derek
Subject Round 4 actions
Assuming that he is able to cast this round (I don't really know what being sickened does to Allistair, I'll leave that to Mark.) Allistair still has a few tricks up his sleeve. All his directly offensive spells have been used up, but he still has a spell or two that can help the group. Allistair attempts to cast a Web spell on the remaining attackers. (G9, G13-G16) He'll try and do his best to aim it so that none of his comarades get hit with the web, but getting caught in a web probably isn't as deadly as getting caught in a fireball, so he has a bit more leeway.
From: Mark
Subject Round 4 actions
Sorry
The spell states that you must anchor the ends of the webs on two or more solid and diametrically opposed points, such as floor and ceiling, or opposite walls. The ceilings in these rooms have been 30-40 feet high. The area of effect is a 20 radius which is 40 foot diameter. There is no place to anchor the webs.
From: Derek
Subject Round 4 actions
Crap. Well, it looks like Ran is most in danger of getting surrounded, so Allistair will cast Enlarge on him. That should help him do more damadge to try and get rid of these things faster.
From: Mark
Subject round 4 actions
Sorry about this.
You can do the web spell. I just realized that the ceiling is 30-40 feet up and the spell diameter is 40 feet so you can anchor ceiling/floor.
However you can not get all 5 of the creatures. I am going to say that you are going to make a web wall. You can get G13-16 but not G9. You would also get Harp if he fails his save.
I am going to change the description a bit. A radius seems wrong for the requirements of this spell. In this case it would be wall 40 feet high by 40 feet wide and several inches thick made up of sticky web threads.
From: Porter
Subject Round 4 actions
Yippie!
From: Josh
Subject Round 4 actions
Kal watches in respect as the Wizard summons the fireball. "I'll have to copy that to my own spellbook" Kal thinks.
Just as the spell is exhausted, Kal sees Allistar keel over in sickness, probably from the terrible stench in the room. He runs to H5 to prevent the creatures from getting around Ran to Allistar. When he gets there he'll attack G16.
OOC: Sorry I took so long to get a turn out. For some reason I thought I had already sent this email.
From: Josh
Subject Kal and spells
Mark,
I'm not 100% sure about used spells on my character sheet.
I dug through the archives -- but I wanna double check, was the gargoyle room the first room we went into after healing up?
From: Kevin
Subject Round 4 actions
Yeah. Web away. Harp will really not mind. He's not to fast anyway.
From: Porter
Subject Round 4 actions
To fast or not to fast -- that is the question.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 4 actions
I think you are meta punning on this one Porter.
From: Mark
Subject Kal and spells
No. You guys fought the dragon and then the gargoyles and now these things.
From: Mark
Subject Kal and spells
Mund is already there. I was going to have Kal move to F9 and attack G14 at Harps command.
From: Porter
Subject Kal and spells
OOC: What a coward, that Mund. :p
From: Mark
Subject Round 4
Initiative: Kal (19), Mund (19), Surin (18), Ragnar (13), Creatures II (11), Creatures (10), Allistair (9), Harp (8), Ranthir (8), Salix (8).
Round 4
Mund turns after setting the halfling Mund turns back and looks into the room. He sees a flash of flame and realizes that Ally has been active. He also sees Ran and the dwarf facing four of the foes. Grabbing his axe and his shield he moves quickly to the spot next to Ranthir and strikes at the side of the beast Ran is fighting (G15). His axe whistles in the air and lands a solid blow to the creatures rib cage (AC17, 12+12=24, hit, damage 9).
Kal darts around Hap and attacks the beats the the orc and half blood were fighting (G14). Again his rapier darts in and strikes true, piercing what would be the things lung (AC17, 15+11=26, hit, damage 6).
The creatures fight back with a fury. Harp's foe(G14) turns and bites at him while clawing at Salix and Kal (Bite, AC23, 13+5=18,miss, claw1, AC17, 13+2=15,miss, claw 2, AC18, 20+3=23, hit, critical threat, critical threat roll AC18, 11+3=14,miss, damage 5, FORT save DC15, 12+5=17, save). Kal winces as the claw draws blood and shivers at the numbing cold, but is able to throw off the feeling.
The beasts in front of Ragnar (G13) goes almost insane with blood lust. Smelling a helpless victim he pounces and attacks with his full fury (AC14, 19+5=24, hit, damage 9, 11+3=14, hit, damage 4, 15+3=18,hit, damage 5). Blood flies as the beast tears into the helpless dwarf.
Ranthir's foe (G15) attacks with a fury again, its frustration at being unable to hit him showing (AC21, 7+5=12,miss, 16+3=19,miss, 15+3=18,miss). The agile half elf is able to dodge the bite and catches both claws on his shield, the claws making a high pitched screeching sound as they drag across the metal surface.
Mund turns his attention to the beast facing him (G16). He dodges the two claws but the beast is able to get his mouth on the barbarians forearm and clamps down (AC20, 15+5=20, hit, damage 10, 12+3=15,miss, 4+3=7,miss). Blood flows from the nasty bite and Mund feels an unnatural cold coming from the wound, but the heat of his rage fights it off. "You ain't turning me into no stone you bastard" he yells (Fort Save, DC15, 10+10=20,save).
Allistair knows he is out of combat spells but knows that combat spells are not the only way to help in a battle. Taking out a small piece of spider web from his pouch he chants the spell for a magical web and points to the four corners of the web, right where the beasts are fighting the party. A fine stream of silk leaps from his fingers, growing as it lands at its targets. The creatures try and dodge out of the way (REF save DC15, 2+4=6,fail, 18+4=22, save, 18+4=22, save, 16+4=20, save) and three of the four do. Harp is not so lucky. He is caught in the web (REF save DC15, 10+3=13, fail.) and is unable to move.
Harp shows his frustration at being caught in the web and tries to break the binding threads (STR check, DC20, 4+4=8, fail) He strains with all his might but the strands hold fast.
Ran attacks his foe again (G15). His sword swings high and at the last moment he changes his line and strikes low. The beast is faked out by the maneuver and Ran's sword slices the head from its body (AC17, 8+9=17,hit, damage 4).
Salix sees the beast on Ragnar start tearing the dwarf apart. Hoping that Kal and Harp can take care of the one next to him (G14), Salix attacks the beast on Ragnar (G13) Again his aim is off (AC17, 5+6=11,miss) and the beast is able to dodge out of the way.
OODM: I need round 5 actions. Harp is stuck in the web. Monster G16 is also stuck. The yellow is where the web is. If you move into any of those squares you will need to make a REF save or get stuck. The darker yellow shows who is stuck.
Round 5 actions and leaving town
Subject Round 5 actions
Mund will attack G16.
From: Karl
Subject Round 5 actions
(OOC - Can Salix drop his scimitar, take a 5' step back and cast in one round? Will this provoke an AOO if he does?)
From: Josh
Subject Round 5 actions
Kal's body sings with elation as his blade sinks into his enemy again. Dancing around like a child on Yralais Day, Kal continues his attack.
OOC: Same bat channel, same bat villian.
From: Josh
Subject Round 5 actions
Oh, Kal will take the 5 foot step to F8, getting a flanking bonus.
From: Mark
Subject Round 5 actions
Yes. He can also take a 5 foot step back, drop his scimitar and cast.
Assuming he has not been paralyzed by then. :)
From: Karl
Subject Round 5 actions
Ok, then assuming he has not been paralyzed by then, that is what he'll do. Step back then drop weapon, then cast. He will cast Summon Nature's Ally 3 (dropping Protection from Elements) and will summon 1d3 hippogriff's into squares F7, F6, and F8 in that order. (Not that I'm expecting 3 hippogriff's, or even 2, but I *could* get lucky.) Salix will command all of them to attack G13, or if the creature is already dead, then the nearest creature to it.
(Oh, I guess I should add that if G13 is destroyed by Salix's turn, the he would summon the 'griffs into squares F6, E6, and E5, in that order.)
From: Kevin
Subject Round 5 actions
Harp is ready to strike at the creature in front of him when he suddenly finds himself entangled by a collection of large, sticky cobwebs. He had seen this before, back when he had first joined the group to go escort Rochelle and they had been attacked by the goblins (OOC:Mark, I forget what it was that we caught and webbed, so adjust that as needed). He knows that the webs can be broken, so he exerts himself to try and free himself from the webs. (OOC: If he does succeed in the strenght check, he will go to whichever side he sees the most opponents on at that time).
From: Mark
Subject Round 5 actions
Actually I think it was an entangle spell against the first set of orc the party ever met, spell courtsey of Salix.
From: Randy
Subject Round 5 actions
Ranthir turns his efforts to the beast attacking Ragnar, hoping to have better luck than Salix has been having.
From: Kevin
Subject Leaving town
OOC: I am going to be leaving Friday afternoon for a short vacation with my wife celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary. I am unsure of how available computer access will be (we will try and stop in to a few internet cafe's as we travel, but it will be inconsistent). Do not let my abscence slow things down - Mark, you have my proxy to use Harp as you think fits. You know better than most what he is thinking.
If we are lucky, this room will be done by then.
From: Porter
Subject Leaving town
Dibs on his magic sword!
From: Mark
Subject Leaving town
Yes you heard right, Kevin got married on Valentines day. IN Vegas. Elvis was involved with the wedding.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 5 actions
OOC: I hate it when you are right. Curse you and your memory.
Adjust the write up as needed.
From: Karl
Subject Leaving town
Well, he didin't say below that he got married on Valentine's Day. He just said it was hit 14th anniversary.
From: Porter
Subject Leaving town
14th anniversary on the 14th? On Valentine's Day?
That's so precious that I think I need to go to the dentist.
From: Karl
Subject Leaving town
I go to great pains to keep my holidays separate. I would never get married on my birthday or any other holiday I currently celebrate. One can never have enough days with reasons to celebrate.
For my own contribution to the saccharine discussion, I still celebrate the day I met Chris and the date six months later. :)
From: Mark
Subject Leaving town
I amaze my wife by remembering the date of our first date. Of course it is May 5, so it is not all that hard.
Being married on my birthday always gives me a leg up with it comes to gifts.
From: Kevin
Subject Leaving town
It did not even cross my mind that it was the 14th anniversary and it was the 14th. I mean, I knew it, but it did not seem like that big of a deal. And, apparently, it did not to my wife.
We usually take a 4-5 day mini-trip on a weekend close to our anniversary. It is usually around Presidents day, so we have a 3 day week end anyway. We sneak out on Friday afternoon and come back Tuesday night and it only eats up 1 vacation day.
This year we are flying into Tampa and spending a few days driving up Florida's "lost coast" to Pensecola where we fly out of and back to Dayton next Tuesday evening.
From: Mark
Subject Leaving town
Oh and the three day party at Kevin's house starts at 6 on Friday night. He has a beer tapper full of Harp Ale, a large screen plasma TV and PS2. I will bring the chips. :)
From: Kevin
Subject Leaving town
Harp is a lager, you heathen. Old Speckled Hen would be an english ale.
And it is no longer quite all the way full (burp).
My dog will hair you to death if you show up.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Waiting on Derek. And Jason and Ashley but I do not expect them to have a whole lot to say. :)
From: Jason
Subject Round 5 actions
Ragnar wills his mind to focus entirely on his arm. The battle swirling around him fades into the background as he exerts all his willpower into lowering his shield just one inch. His efforts produce no visible result, but he refuses to yield. Such is his focus that even when the ghoul in front of him tears into him, hurting him badly, it is as if the damage were done to someone else (Concentrate DC 28 18+10=28). Unphased by the blows, he begins to will his arm to raise.
From: Derek
Subject Round 5 actions
Allistair isn't sure what he should do now. He is pretty much out of useful spells, and his only other idea is to set the web on fire. But with Harp caught in the web that might not be a good idea. Allistair will just move up to I4 and check out Surin's condition. (although it's unlikely he can do anything to help him)
From: Kevin
Subject Round 5 actions
He could move up and pull Ragnar from the ghouls reach. Just a thought - or pour a healing potion down his thoat, something. Maybe you can spit at it.
From: Derek
Subject Round 5 actions
That's a good point. Could Allistir pour a healing potion down Ragnar's throat, or would it just make him choke?
From: Mark
Subject round 5 actions
He could but he would provoke AOO from any one threatening Ragnars square, which is G13 and G14 at the moment.
From: Derek
Subjectd: Round 5 actions
Probably not worth the risk.
Mark, could he drag the character while standing in the square behind where Ragnar is? I know the rules will still probably stay that he creates an AOO, but real life would likely be different. But if we wanted real life, we would not be playing a PBEM D&D game.
Just thinking of someway for Allistair to be of use.
From: Mark
Subject Round 5 actions
If Ragnar leaves the threatened squares they get AOO on him. One each.
From: Josh
Subject Round 5 actions
OOC: I'm changing my turn. I didnt' realize how bad Ragnar was.
Kal sees the danger the dwarf is in and quickly reacts. He does his best to dance around the G14 ( Applying his Dodge +1 AC bonus to that creature) and attacks G13.
From: Derek
Subject Round 5 actions
Well, Allistair is at full HP so he could probably survive getting hit one round, assuming he isn't paralyzed. Why would they get AOO on Allistair though? Does pouring a potion down his throat mean that he has to enter Ragnar's square? So how bad is Ragnar? Is he pretty close to death? Do the rest of you think Allistair should give him a potion?
Also, what good would dismissing the web do? Even though most of the creatures made their saving throw, they have to successfully make a saving throw every round they are in the web, right? So it seems to me that keeping it up would be the best course of action until this line of creatures is destroyed.
More round 5 actions and round 5
Subject Round 5 actions
I think you have the same options Mund had with Surin - who takes the AOO. If you come up behind Ragnar and pull him out, the rules say the opponents in threatened squares and AOO on Ragnar. If your character jumps closer to protect him, then Allistair would suffer the AOO. Since Ragnar is already paralyzed, he might take some HP damage, but at least you are assured of getting him out of there. If Allistair takes the damage, then there is a chance that he will be paralyzed, and you both will be stuck there to take damage.
If it was me (not Harp) I would pull him free, letting him take the damage, and then put some healing potion in him when out of range.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 5 actions
Josh, both G13 and G14 are threating Ragnar. One is not that much more of a threat than the other - they are both chomping on some nice juicy dwarf.
From: Mark
Subject Round 5 actions
Ragnar is at 3 HP. To give someone a potion I would say you would have to be in their square, which would put Ally in a threatened square.
since I have made this web go from ceiling to floor, it is not very thick. Since they made their first saves I view it as the webs around them are either very thin and will not bother them again or that they have torn holes in the webs where they are. Usualy the web spell is done on the horizontal plane where people would have to move through it to advance. This time it is on the vertical plane so covers alot of area but most of it is above the party.
From: Jason
Subject Round 5 actions
While its true they are both threatening Ragnar, only one has shown a burning desire to eat him for lunch. G14 is busy attacking Harp and Kal and such, while G13 has been chomping on him for 2 rounds now.
As an answer to "just how bad is Ragnar?" he's at 3 hp.
No suggestions (since I'm, you know, paralyzed,) just some info that will hopefully make your decisions better informed.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 5 actions
Agreed. Maybe Kal can change his person of interest by sticking his rapier through its back.
Josh, forget my earlier e-mail. Go with your changed plan.
From: Mark
Subject Round 5 actions
I had most of the turn written up last night but need to go back and make some changes to reflect the change Josh made. I still need Derek to decide what he is going to do.
From: Porter
Subject Round 5 actions
OOC: Derek, I recommend having Allistair shield Ragnar with his body. If Allistair gets paralyzed, you can be sure that Mund will come save him.
From: Derek
Subject Round 5 actions
Ragnar looks to be in a very bad way, so Allistair will try and do these things in this order of priority. 1) Keep Ragnar from getting hit again. 2) Give Ragnar a healing potion.
What if Allistair made Ragnar invisible? Would that help, or would it be pretty useless since he can't move? If that won't do any good, then Allistair will shield Ragnar with his own body, and then try and give him a healing potion.
From: Mark
Subject Round 5 actions
Invisible would work partially. I mean the creatures know he is there and that he is not moving but they would need to make a spot check at a -20 to see him or something. Their problem would not be "hitting" him per se, it would be hitting effectivly.
It migh count as concealment instead. I will have to check the rules.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 5 actions
Mark, would Harp be able to attemp to Turn Undead while in the web? It is not a move action or direct combat action.
If you will permit it, Harp will try that. If not, he will struggle to extricate himself from the webs.
From: Mark
Subject Round 5 actions
As far as I am concerned turning udead does not require you to move, so he can do that.
From: Derek
Subject Round 5 actions
So what's the concensus? Do I have a better chance of saving Ragnar by making him invisible, or by shielding him with my own body?
From: Karl
Subject Round 5 actions
To further muddy the waters, I believe Salix has a CLW prayer left. He could step back, drop the weapon and cast that on Ragnar. I'm just not sure that Salix would have noticed that Ragnar was down to 3 HP, or that CLW would do much good at this point. :(
From: Mark
Subject Round 5 actions
Salix can easily notice that he is covered in the dwarfs blood.
From: Josh
Subject Round 5 actions
I think Salix should keep fighting. We're running out of ways to kill these guys. Once we drop these two we should have an easy time cleaning up, as long as those of us still moving don't get paralyzed.
From: Mark
Subject Round 5
Initiative: Kal (19), Mund (19), Surin (18), Ragnar (13), Creatures II (11), Creatures (10), Allistair (9), Harp (8), Ranthir (8), Salix (8).
Round 5
Mund is shocked when what appears to be a huge spider web appears and entangles his foe. He looks quickly behind him and sees his brother motioning him to continue fighting. Mund turns back, a fierce grin on his face. "Don't like not being able to move do you. Let's see how you like some sharp steel in your gut" he yells at the creature. His axe slashes low and hits the thing on the hip (AC15, 15+11=26, hit, damage 11). The thing tries to shift itself out of the way at the last second, but the axe still cuts a wide gash in its legs.
Kal, the music of battle singing in his ears, dances forward a few steps and attacks again, his rapier a blur in the strange but sort of beautiful battle dance of the bladesinger (AC17, 4+13=17, hit, damage 9). He shoves his rapier through the back of the beast that was mauling Ragnar (G13) but it does not fall.
Surin looks at the ceiling as he hears the sounds of combat in the next room. He starts to feel a slight sensation in his fingers and toes.
The creature that Mund is fighting struggles to free itself but fails (STR check, DC20, 9+3=12, fail). The creature that had been feasting on Ragnar notices that his ally next to him has been destroyed and turns his attention to Ranthir. The things bloody mouth and two bloody claws leap at the 1/2 elf (AC21, 18+5=23, hit, 9+3=12, miss, 15+3=18,miss, damage 11). The bloody mouth bites at Ran's side and pulls out a chunk of armor and flesh. Ran, pushing away the freezing feeling (FORT save DC15, 11+6=17, success), punches the thing in the head and it lets go.
The beast that Kal had attacked just a few seconds ago (G14) turns and attacks the elf with it's full fury. The elf is able to dodge the things maw and one of the claws but he stumbles on a bit of debris in the room and the second claw connects (AC19, 10+5=15, miss, 7+3=10, miss, 20+3=23, hit, possible critical, critical threat roll, AC18, 5+3=8,miss, no critical, damage 4). Kal again feels the cold seeping in from where the claw struck him but the song in his head walls it off (FORT save, DC15, 13+6=19, save).
The beast in the back row moves up and also attacks Mund (AC22, 15+3=18,miss, 9+0=9,miss, 4+0=4,miss). However the barbarian is able to keep his wits about him and blocks all of the attacks with his shield.
Allistair runs through his remaining spells and tries to figure out a way to help. If the things could not see Ragnar maybe they would not be able to hit him. With that he fishes out the eyelash that is encased in gun Arabic and chants the words. When he finishes he touches a hand to the dwarf's back and Ragnar disappears.
Harp is in a quandary as to what to do. He is stuck in this web and those things are tearing his friends to pieces. Then he remembers that he can also call upon the battle lord to banish the foul undead. Shifting his shield as much as he can in the sticky web, he calls upon his god to smite these foul things with his holy light (Turn 5+0=5, Turn up to 1 HD creatures, no effect). Somehow, though, Harp must have done the call wrong, because none of the creatures show any signs of effect.
Ran strikes back at the beast that just bit him. His sword swings in a wide arc and slices a long gash in the creatures gut (AC17, 7+11=18, hit, damage 7).
Salix also takes a swing with his scimitar. This time his weapon connects and he cuts open the things leg to the bone (AC17, 15+6=21, hit, damage 6). He is surprised to see Ragnar disappear, but then sees Allistair standing behind where the dwarf had been.
OODM: Ok I need round 6 actions.
From: Karl
Subject Round 6 actions
Hmm, well Salix didn't do anything I sent last turn, so use that one this turn, or have him attack with his scimitar again.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 6 actions
OOC:Mark, doe sG9 have to make a save of some type upon entering the web area? It is my understanding that the web is a few feet wide but runs from wall to wall.
Can it just walk through it?
IC: Harp's spirit deflates as none of the creatures seem to be affected by his attempt to call upon the power of Heironious. Had he chanted the prayer wrong? He focuses again on the words he had been taught and again tries to call down the glory and power of the battle lord to drive these evil creatures away.
From: Kevin
Subject Round 6 actions
OOC: At least no one else got frozen.
Go Kal. Keep on piercing and dancing.
Harp is providing moral support.
Round 5 redux and round 6 actions
Subject Round 5 redux
sorry Karl I knew I missed something.
I will rewrite Salix's turn doing the summoning. Since he is last in the Init order it should not cause too much problems.
From: Randy
Subject Round 6 actions
Ranthir will attack the zombie threatening Ragnar (G13 - apply dodge if possible) hoping to force him back a few feet so that Allistair can pull Ragnar back to safety. Mund can handle himself while the one creature is stuck Ran thinks to himself. He pushes the pain out of his mind and focusses on protecting his companion.
"Allistair, when I have his attention, pull Ragnar out of here! None of us die today!" he cries as he makes the rush at the foe.
OOC: I don't know if Ran can actually push the zombie back as part of his combat action. He won't move in a way to provoke an AOO from G9, he can't afford to take much more damage himself. His goal is to get G13 focussed on him so that Allistair can pull Ragnar back. Adjust any of this as you see fit so that no attacks of opportunity are given up against Ragnar especially.
From: Mark
Subject Round 6 actions
I think the Bull Rush is the attack that moves someone back.
By the way, these things are not zombies. :)
From: Randy
Subject Round 6 actions
OOC: Well that is what Ranthir thinks they are based on stories his grandfather told him when he was young. Ran will do a Bull Rush only if it doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity (ie: Mund kills G9)
From: Mark
Subject Round 5 redux
I did not do Salix's turn correctly so I have revised his part of the combat.
Initiative: Kal (19), Mund (19), Surin (18), Ragnar (13), Creatures II (11), Creatures (10), Allistair (9), Harp (8), Ranthir (8), Salix (8).
Salix realizes that if any more of the party gets paralyzed that this fight will end badly. What they needed were more allies. Nature's allies. He takes a step back and touching the acorn symbol on his armor, chants the prayer to Obad Hai for help. His god answers quickly and decisively. 3 hippogriffs appear behind the ghastly creatures and attack them from behind.
Salix shouts in a language none of the others understand, but the animals seem to roar agreement. The first (H1) attacks the beast in front of Ragnar (G13) (AC17, 15+6=21, hit, 12+6=18, hit, 13+1=14, miss, damage 13). Two sets of claws rack the back of the thing but the beak misses biting the head off. The next hippogriff attacks the same monster at the same time and has similar results (AC17, 12+8=20, hit, 20+8=28, hit, 13+3=16, miss, damage 15). This time though the beast is shredded into pieces, torn limb from limb.
The last winged creature attacks the beast fighting Kal (G14). It, however, has no luck against the tough hide of the beast (AC17, 6+6=12, miss, 9+6=15, miss, 9+1=10, miss).
A new map is attached.
Let me know your updated actions.
From: Randy
Subject Round 6 actions
Ranthir, seeing the hippogriffs take out G13 turns his attention to G9 and attacks, dodging if the creature attacks him.
From: Karl
Subject Round 6 actions
Salix will have H1 and H2 attack G9, and have H3 attack G14.
From: Randy
Subject Round 6 actions
Ran also yells "Allistair, pull Ragnar out of here!" hoping that the adreniline of the battle will lend Allistair enough strength to do so.
From: Porter
Subject Round 6 actions
Mund attacks G9.
From: Jason
Subject Round 6 actions
There are only so many ways I can roleplay being paralyzed. Ragnar will wait patiently. Incidentally, since it seems that Surin may get unparalyzed soon, I guess the same thing may (or may not) happen to Ragnar. If he gets free, he'll take a step out of combat and cast his strongest cure spell on himself.
From: Derek
Subject Round 6 actions
Assuming Allistair can do so without Ragnar being placed in further danger, he will attempt to pull Ragnar out of harm's way. If he cannot do that though, probably his best bet is to ignore the place Ragnar is standing in so that the monsters will think he has dissappeared, not just become invisible.
From: Josh
Subject Round 6 actions
Kal attacks the same guy he attacked last turn.
Round 6 actions and round 6
Subject Round 6 actions
Harp will still try to turn the creatures (though he needs a great roll to do so).
Sorry this took so long, have been travelling all day.
From: Mark
Subject Round 6
Initiative: Kal (19), Mund (19), Surin (18), Ragnar (13), Creatures II (11), Creatures (10), Allistair (9), Harp (8), Ranthir (8), Salix (8) Hippogriffs (8).
Round 6
As Mund finishes his attack on the webbed beast he sees another step forward and attack the barbarian. Figuring that the one in the web is not going anywhere, he turns his attention to the one that had attacked him. Spinning back the other direction, Mund's axe slashes across the chest of the creature, exposing ribs and entrails (AC14, 6+12=18, hit, damage 12). But the thing does not die.
Kal shouts with unconcealed glee when the beast attacking Ragnar goes down. Turning his attention back to the foe next to him he strikes again, his rapier moving in a blur (AC17, 4+13=17, hit, damage 9). Again the elf drives his rapiers point through the chest of one of the creatures, only to have the thing smile at him.
Surin's toes and fingers start tingling even more and with in second his arms and legs start twitching. It takes the halfling a few seconds but he is able to eventually get his body under control. (He is prone this round and will be able to act next round.)
In the depths of Ragnar's mind he is amazed to find himself still alive. He had almost died in glorious battle and would surely have gone to serve his lord if he had fallen. However, he can feel a little warmth starting to sink into his hands and feet.
Kal's foe smiles as the elf's strike brings him up close and personal to the fetid thing. He bites at Kal throat (AC19, 20+6=26, hit, critical threat, AC19, 15+6=21, critical hit, damage 15, Fort Save, DC15 11+5=16, save). The thing clamps its fetid teeth on his flesh and rips away. Kal feels his blood, warm on the suddenly freezing skin of his throat, but the elven war song in his mind rebuffs the cold.
Mund's foe attacks him again and does no better than last time. The barbarian's sixth sense keeps him from any harm (AC22, 16+2=18,miss, 6+0=6,miss, 13+0=13,miss).
Not sure if the things can smell blood or not, Allistair decides not to risk moving the dwarf, since he is not sure that he could move the dwarf, with all that metal he was wearing. Instead he pulls a healing potion from the other pouch at his waist and waits for an opening to give it to the dwarf.
Harp, frustrated by his failure to banish any of the undead turns his shield a bit more and again calls upon the holy light of the battle lord. The 1/2 orc howls in despair when the results are the same as before: the creatures ignore him (Turn roll 4+0=4, 1HD creatures can be turned.)
Ranthir turns and sees Mund in combat with another of the creatures. "I'm here Mund, lets destroy these things together." His sword lashes out (AC14, 6+9=15, hit, damage 7) and as it cuts the thing in two, it collapses into dust.
Salix speaks again in the language that none of the others understand, but the hippogriffs understand that they are being commanded by a servant of Obad Hai and do his bidding. The first (H1) strikes out at the creature still stuck in the webs. Its two claws get tangled up in the web (AC17, 5+6=11, miss, 3+6=9,miss) but it is able to take a bite out of the thing (AC17, 19+1=20,hit, damage 10).
The next strikes at the beast that Kal is fighting. One claw misses (AC17, 10+6=16,miss, 16+6=22, hit, damage 7, 17+1=18, hit, damage 9) but the other rakes the thing across the chest. As the thing spins around from the force of the blow, the hippogriff bites the head off. The thing dissolves into dust.
Seeing the thing dissolve into dust, Salix commands the last griff towards the corner where there are still two things cowering. The winged beast takes a hop and a small jump and lands nest to the closest thing (G10) and rakes it with a claw. The creature puffs into dust (AC14, 14+6=20, damage 6) as the talon slices through it.
Salix watches the combat, trying to see where he should send the hippogriffs next.
OODM: I need actions for round 7. New map attached.
From: Kal
Subject Round 7 actions
Kal is undettered by his wounds. With a quick spin he runs toward G8 and attacks it, whiping his blade clean mid-stride.
Round 7 actions and Surin wakes up
Subject Round 7 actions
Hi guys!!! Sitting in a little internet cafe in Apalachicola, FL having some breakfast. Having a great time, though the weather has not been great (low 60's, overcast).
IC: Harp mind turns to despair as he again fails to bring the might of Heronious to bear against the creatures. This was the Battlelords way of letting him know he was not worthy. He would have to focus on following the battle lord's teachings more closely when he returned. Well, he would have to try something else. He flexes his muscles and tries to rip him self free from the webs.
OOC: Strenght check on the webs, if Allistair has not dismissed them.
From: Mark
Subject Round 7 actions
Bitch.
From: Josh
Subject Round 7 actions
bwhaahhahh.
Sorry Kevin.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
Waiting on Randy and Porter and maybe Karl.
From: Ashley
Subject Round 7 actions
A shiver runs through Surin as movement starts to return to him, and his liberated throat groans in pain from the body blows. Trying as hard as he could to ignore the pain in his legs, he somehow manages to bring himself to his feet. With all the commotion in the room, Surin can't be worried about anything else -- Ragnar needed help. Trying shakily to make his way forward, he can't ignore the pain any longer and holds on to the door frame for support. He looks into the room, trying to figure out how best to help his friends without getting sucker-punched again. Through it all the grip on his hatchet is so tight he wonders if the freezing feeling has completely worn off yet.
OOC: I've been sitting on this for too long, sorry. I hope I've interpreted Surin's status correctly -- that he's pretty badly hurt and shouldn't risk any more injury before this battle ends. So he's going to stay in the doorway and provide cover from there.
Round 7 actions, Round 7, Monsters and cleaning up
Subject Round 7 actions
Sorry. I was away from computer yesterday.
Salix will continue to direct the hippogriffs to attack any remaining creatures.
By the way, do any of us know what these things actually are?
From: Josh
Subject Monsters
OOC: My guess is Ghouls, just cuz they're titled GXX, but I haven't looked in the MM yet. ( I figured that's cheating).
From: Mark
Subject Monsters
Ragnar would have the best chance of figuring out what they are but he is under the weather.
From: Karl
Subject Monsters
Mark told us once previously (since I made the same mistake) that he doesn't label foe that way. If the G is "ghoul" it's probably coincidental.
From: Karl
Subject Monsters
Incidentally, did you know that "ghoul" is also another term for "grave robber"? Specifically someone who steals bodies from graves for anatomical dissection. In that sense, modern medicine owes a great debt of gratitude to ghouls. :)
From: Mark
Subject Monsters
As to the knowledge check, after the battle Ragnar, who is the only one with the proper knowledge base for this check, can make a check by taking 20. With his skil ranks he will be able to identify them with ease. He just can not take 20 while in combat or paralyzed.
From: Josh
Subject Monsters
Does taking a knowledge check take up any Combat time?
From: Mark
Subject Monsters
Not a straight check but you have to have the proper knowledge field. For example to identify undead you need at least one rank in Knowledge -Religion. It can not be used untrained. Even then you make a normal roll. If I set the DC at 15 and you have 5 ranks in the skill but roll a 5 you still get a 10 and you can not remember anything. I would have to check about taking 10 but you could not take 20. Out of combat the character could sit down and spend two minutes (taking 20) to rack his brain about what he/she was taught about undead.
Each class of monster has a spefic knoweldge check to identify it.
Here are the areas.
* Arcana (ancient mysteries, magic traditions, arcane symbols, cryptic phrases, constructs, dragons, magical beasts)
* Architecture and engineering (buildings, aqueducts, bridges, fortifications)
* Dungeoneering (aberrations, caverns, oozes, spelunking)
* Geography (lands, terrain, climate, people)
* History (royalty, wars, colonies, migrations, founding of cities)
* Local (legends, personalities, inhabitants, laws, customs, traditions, humanoids)
* Nature (animals, fey, giants, monstrous humanoids, plants, seasons and cycles, weather, vermin)
* Nobility and royalty (lineages, heraldry, family trees, mottoes, personalities)
* Religion (gods and goddesses, mythic history, ecclesiastic tradition, holy symbols, undead)
* The planes (the Inner Planes, the Outer Planes, the Astral Plane, the Ethereal Plane, outsiders, elementals, magic related to the planes)
So Salix, with Knoweldge-Nature, is well suited to identify monstrous humanoids, like gargoyles, but unsuited to identify undead. Now someone with a high INT score would be well advised to put at least 1 skill point in each area since that would give them a very broad base of knowlegde. Of course many areas are cross class. Check your character description for the Knoweldge areas open to your class.
From: Jason
Subject Monsters
Incidentally, I'm pretty sure that Ragnar made his original check, and Mark identified them (to me) as ghouls. I just never had the chance to make that knowledge public. Nor does he now technically, but there's only like one left, so I can at least put an end to the OOC wondering.
From: Mark
Subject Monsters
If you check the AC's of the creatures and other thing you might notice something.
From: Mark
Subject Round 7 actions
That could also be true. It has been a while. :)
Not that it will make much difference this round, but Ragnar will be be able to stop taking his nap next round.
From: Porter
Subject Monsters and round 7 actions
OOC:
I'm pretty sure he said or implied that these are not ghouls.
My guess is that the are ghasts, which are basically dire ghouls.
Sorry. Yesterday was crazy day. I worked 16 hours.
IC: Mund attacks the trapped creature next to him.
From: Mark
Subject Round 7
Initiative: Kal (19), Mund (19), Surin (18), Ragnar (13), Creatures II (11), Creatures (10), Allistair (9), Harp (8), Ranthir (8), Salix (8) Hippogriffs (8).
Round 7
Kal, ignoring the bleeding wound at his throat, turns and looks around the room. Seeing Mund and Ranthir close by the one creature, as well as a couple of the hippogriffs, Kal turns his attention to the remaining thing in the corner. He moves towards it at a deliberate pace, cleaning the much off his blade as he goes. When he gets to the thing, there is no artistry in his attack, it is just slaughter. His blade buries itself in the things eye (AC14, 19+13=32, hit, damage 9) and the thing screams in pain as it burst into dust.
Mund is glad to see all these new winged beast fighting on his side. He had seen Salix do his godperson stuff before, but this here stuff was really useful. Turning his attention back to the remaining creature Mund swings his axe at the things head (AC15, 8+12=20, hit, damage 11). At the last second it moves its head just out of the way and the blade of the axe catches it on the shoulder, nearly separating the arm from the rest of the body.
Surin wakes from the paralyzing cold that had crept over him since he was attacked by the creatures. Getting slowly to his feet he turns and looks through the doorway, seeing how the combat is going.
Ragnar starts to regain feeling in his fingers and toes and is actually able to make his leg twitch once.
The remaining beast struggles to break free of the webs, it's mouth snapping at Mund.
Allistair watches his brother and the hippogriff's carve up the remaining beast.
Harp struggles to free himself and finds that he just does not have enough leverage to get free (DC20 STR check, 3+4=7,fail).
Ran also strikes at the helpless monster )AC15, 3+9=12, miss) but his blow is knocked aside by the wings of the hippogriff moving up next to him to attack.
The two winged monsters attack as one and rip the webbed creature to pieces. Pieces that fall to dust before they hit the ground.
The parts pants, looking around for any more enemies. Kal feels the strength drain out of him and Allistair releases the web spell, freeing Harp. The three summoned monsters pop out of existance. The party sees a door in the west wall.
OODM: OK resolution time. Let me know what you do now.
From: Mark
Subject Summon Naturs ally 3
I just want to let everyone know that I think that this spell, as written is way over powered, with the inclusion of the hippogriff.
It allows the druid to summon 1D3 hippogriffs which is 3D10+9 monsters.
I also just realized I did them wrong. The are large creatures. It probably does not make any difference in the long run. It was a good spell to use.
From: Karl
Subject cleaning up
Salix immediately looks for Ragnar. If he's invisible, he will call to Allistair to dispel the spell and make him visible again. If he's visible, Salix will make to cast his remaining CLW on RAgnar. If Ragnar refuses, or is able to heal himself, Salix will cast CLW on Surin.
From: Karl
Subject Summon naturs ally 3
Yeah, but I coulda rolled a 1 and then there'd just be one of them. ;)
And we'd still be fighting right now.
From: Derek
Subject Cleaning up
Good Call. Allistair releases the invisibility spell on Ragnar, and hands him a cure potion if we wants it. Then he suggests they go back into the previous room to rest, since he can't stand the smell in this room.
Cleaning up and healing
Subject cleaning up
Mark, you are supposed to be using a d20 for my roles, not a d6.
From: Porter
Subject Cleaning up
Mund feels the spirit of his totem bear leave him and he begins to feel doubt about himself.
Had he fought smart or had he fought scared? Ain't no doubt about it -- Mund hates the idea of getting frozen. Is that why he retreated? Is he a coward? He ain't never been a coward before, but he ain't never gone up against unnatural crap like this before. What kind of godsforsaken place is this to turn Mund -- *MUND!* -- into a coward?
From: Josh
Subject Cleaning up
Kal kneels, ignoring the flashes of pain that seem to come from his entire body. He whipes his blade clean of any filth from these creatures. Turning it slowly in his hands, he kisses the hilt and returns it to it's sheath.
He prays to his Goddess asking for the strength to see this mission through, and thanking her for sending him on a quest with such stalwart allies.
After he is done, he rises and walks to Harp and Salix.
"For a moment after I charged into the room, I wasn't sure if I was going to be alone. You two faught courageously, thank you."
From: Karl
Subject Cleaning up
"I followed my leader." Salix says plainly, then looks at Harp with a look that says he's not all that sure it was the wisest thing to do. "If there has yet been a room that should first have been cleansed by divine grace or -- magic," here he nods to Allistair, "it was *this* room." Having said all he has to say about the encounter, Salix leaves the room, helping anyone who may need assistance. He trusts that his point was not lost on Harp. He trusts that it *was* lost on Kal.
From: Derek
Subject Cleaning up
OOC: I'm going to a conference in San Jose for a few days. I don't have a laptop, so no email for me. Porter can handle Allistair if any combat comes up. For the time being though, Allistair is all for resting and re-learning his spells. AND he'll have a private talk with Harp about letting the monsters come to them, instead of vice versa, so that he has a chance to use his fireballs, etc. to maximum effect. If we could deal with every encounter like we did the giant beetles or the ogres, this place would be a breeze.
From: Kevin
Subject Cleaning up
OOC: And if frogs had wings, they wouldn't bump their ass. Good luck getting this group to work in a consistently organized fashion.
IC: Harp finally frees himself from the disappearing webs. They have succeeded, but just barely. Only with Salix's help had they been able to survive. Harp had let the rush of the moment get the better of him - instead of being patient, they had entered the room without proper investigating, and members of the party had paid the price. Harp understands Salix concerns, but, he wonders, how do I communicate that to Kal. Kal had fought bravely, in fact, wonderfully. He had been untouched until the end of the battle.
"Salix, thank you again for calling on the grace of Obad-Hai. You seem to be in his good graces more than I am with Heironious. Willl you help me with Surin and Ragnar - they need our help.
Kal, I would speak with you, but after we look after Ragnar and Surin."
OOC: I have a busy day at work, will not be able to write more until tonight, though there is more to be written.
From: Randy
Subject Cleaning up
Sorry for the lack of a turn from me, I was out of commission for the weekend. My whole family has been sick. I'll read what's happened and respond as soon as I can, but if you want to get the next round out just have Ranthir attack the nearest creature.
From: Karl
Subject Cleaning up
Well, since all the 'creatures' left are party members, please make sure Salix is as far from Ran as possible. Maybe you can have him sidle up next to Kal an attack. :)
From: Randy
Subject Cleaning up
Ranthir looks around the room trying to see another foe and nearly takes a swing at Salix before realizing that the battle is over. His wounds are great but he is undeterred.
"The stench in here can't be helping those who are hurt. Lets find the key and get out of here." He calls out as he begins a search of the room.
From: Jason
Subject Cleaning up
As Ragnar's muscles slowly begin to respond to his will, his single-minded concentration relaxes, and he is suddenly overcome by the pain of his wounds. Falling to his knees, he immediately prays for his god's most powerful healing (sacrifice prayer for CSW). Even the thankfulness he had felt when his body began to move vanished in the haze of pain.
As he feels Heironeous's grace spread through his body, he is finally able to look around him. The ghouls were all dead. Thank Heironeous for that. He can see that Surin is moving again as well, so there seems to have been no permanent harm done. The group seems in sad shape. Most seem injured, except perhaps Allistair who undoubtedly had released his magics from a well defended spot. Some are in very bad shape. Regaining his feet, he moves to heal those who seem the worst. (Sacrifice Hold person and Silence for two CMW on Kal and Surin, or whoever is the worst wounded if they get healed some other way.) Then he will heal anyone who seems in pain (Shield of faith to CLW).
As he begins his ministrations, he thinks back to what he'd seen. There had been a horrid stench in the room; in fact it still lingered. It was far too potent for a normal ghoul. Thinking back, the four that he had charged were probably ghasts. He says as much out loud.
Coming to Surin, he is pleased to see that the halfling has recovered from his paralysis. No permanent harm done then, he thinks. But then as he prays, he thinks further on it. There was something else about a ghoul's bite, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Sending the halfling off far more whole than he found him, Ragnar continues to think back of all he had learned of the undead. Finally it comes to him.
"Harp, I would speak with you privately for a moment." Assuming he agrees, the two head back to the previous room. Ragnar ignores the curious looks from the others.
From: Kevin
Subject Healing up
After Harp frees himself from the webs and has his short conversation with Salix, he heads over to where the rest of the group has congregated. As Ragnar comes out of paralysis, Harp says to the rest of the group "Ran, would you and Mund go with Allistair and check out the rest of this room? With that door at the other end, my guess is that you will not find much, but we have to look. (OOC: Mark, would Allistairs detect magic still be operating?) Salix, will you help me with Ragnar and Surin? It may be time to break out some of those scrolls Brother Ragnar was carrying. Even though Allistair has used up most of his spells today, I still want to find at least one more key before we stop again.
OOC:After working for a few minutes in healing Ragnar's wounds first, Harp will then work with Salix and Ragnar to heal up Surin of his wounds. Harp will not use any of his healing grace yet, but he will also make sure that Kal is the last one they approach about healing of wounds. When that time comes, Harp will ask Kal to follow him back to the room with the gargoyles.
Once there, Harp will ask Kal if he will allow Harp to use the power granted him by Heironious to heal Kal's wounds. Assuming Kal says yes, Harp will sacrafice what he needs to, except for Bulls Strength. He will then talk to Kal " Kal, you fought bravely and well in ther. Without you, I don't know if we would have been victorious. However, now that combat is over, review the situation, and tell me if you think we handled that the best way possible?"
Harp will wait to see what Kal says. He is keeping his voice pretty neutral right now.
OOC: When the above scenario is completed, Harp and Kal will return to the room with the ghouls, where Harp will be approached by Ragnar to go out and discuss something.
When they return, Harp will address the group "Brother Ragnar is concerned that these foul, undead creatures may leave wounds that are more suseptible to festering than normal wounds. He would like to closely inspect any of you that were wounded for any signs of infection. If you start to feel weak or run down, I want you to tell me immediatly. Ragnar has the ability the kill the infection, but only if he know about it.
From: Jason
Subject Healing up
If Harp is determined to go on to another room, Ragnar will use two CSW scrolls on the most wounded before using the rest of his healing spells, sacrificing every spell he has except his domain spell and Shield of Faith. Those he will cast before entering the room. Who gets them is a matter of debate. Feel free to offer suggestions.
That being said, Ragnar isn't too eager to move on to the next room without resting up first, and he says so, but won't push the matter unless he's still seriously wounded.
What next?
Subject What next
Surin thanks Ragnar warmly for his healing powers -- and with his full faculties, he is able to notice the holes in his jerkin punched by the ghasts, or whatever they weres. "Like it wasn't even there," he mutters to himself. Assessing the damage with his fingers, he makes his way around the room looking for anything interesting-- "you'd think I didn't have eyes in front of my head, the way I went into things in here. Lucky for me that Mund was around -- I'da been in a real mess if you hadn't jumped in when you did. Thanks." With that, Surin looks for a key in the room, and if he can't find one, makes his way to the door to check for traps or noises.
From: Karl
Subject What next
Salix looks curiously at Ragnar as he and Harp retreat to the other room.
From: Josh
Subject Kal and Harp
"I wish i didn't have to rush into this room, we were seriously overpowered. " Kal replies.
From: Karl
Subject Salix and Mund
After a quick check of the room, Salix approaches Mund and Surin. He looks like he's searching for words and after a minute he says, "Mund, thank you for saving Surin. He's my oldest friend here, if only by a couple of weeks." He claps a hand on the big guy's shoulder and gives Surin a wink, but the wetness in his eyes belies the light tone he tries to front.
From: Kevin
Subject Kal and What next?
" I know that you were anxious to benefit from the remains of your spell to increase your strength, and I allowed us to go in without our normal planning. We almost lost Surin and Ragnar back there, and if it had not been for Salix, we might have lost more. I am going to be a lot more cautious as we enter future rooms. These challenges are getting harder and harder, and just charging in in the future is more likely to get us killed than to work to our advantage. When we enter these rooms, we don't know the layout, if there are any traps, or abushes for that matter. I am going to say as much when we return to the others, but I wanted to make sure you were in agreement with me on this. I have just as great of a desire to destroy evil, but, in this place, if we let that desire control our actions, evil may just beat us. Lets both keep that in mind as we move forward. Now, let me take a look at your wounds." Harp will sacrafice any spell except Bulls Strength to get Kal close to normal in health.
With that, Harp will clap Kal on the shoulder and move with him back into the main room. Once there, he will address the group.
"I failed as your leader in fighting these creatures. I let myself get over anxious and let us get caught in an ambush that almost did not go our way. Salix and Allistair, my thanks for getting us out of that. I do not intent to make the same mistake again. These challenges are getting more and more difficult and we have to be smarter than I was in here. We will be more cautiuos on the future doors.
Now, do we check behind the door over there, or do we wait and rest up? My heart says open, but my brain says wait. What say you?"
From: Karl
Subject Salix and Harp
At the mention of thanks from Harp, Salix bows his head almost imperceptibly, but his hand goes to the symbol of Obad-Hai embossed into his armor.
"We are not yet spent, I think, but we are also not at our best. And since we do not know how much time we have, it's best not to tarry unnecessarily. I will support your decision either way."
From: Ashley
Subject Mund and Salix
Awww, that's tender. :)
From: Randy
Subject What Next?
Ranthir looks surprised when Harp asks him to check the other door.
I must be hurt more than I thought, I didnt' even see another door. He thinks to himself as he follows the orders. Out loud he says "If we decide to proceed, I will need some measure of healing first in order to be effective in any further combat."
"Surin, perhaps you can put your skills to use to help determine what may lie behind this next door."
OOC: Ranthir is at about 1/2 hit points right now (22/43) so not in huge trouble but given this battle, he doesn't want to be too reckless.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
I will write something up late this afternoon.
From: Porter
Subject What Next?
Mund speaks up. "Yesterday I thought it was silly to wait an entire day to fight that dragon when we still relatively close to full strength"
"So why are you so eager to continue fighting now when we are far worse off?"
"Several of us are wounded, and I doubt that our godsfolk have enough energy left to heal us now. If we get into trouble in the next room, we ain't gonna have nothing left to pull our tails out of the fire."
From: Kevin
Subject What Next?
Harp responds "I am asking for opinions and advice. When I have that, I will make my decision. My heart is eager to get this done, but my mind wants to be cautious. Unless the rest of the group feels very strongly that we should move on, then I'm OK with heading back to the main room, healing everyone up, and then spending the rest of the day and night preparing for tomorrow. If Surin or anyone can hear anything behind the door, it might give us a hint as to what is behind there, so we can adjust accordingly."
From: Mark
Subject What Next
Salix steps back as Ran turns and almost swings at him. "Whoa" he says " I think they are all gone." The druid looks around and does not see Ragnar. "Allistair, if you turned Ragnar invisible, now is the time to release the spell so that we can help him." Allistair nods and releases the spell. The dwarf appears just in front of Salix, his stout form just starting to throw off the effects of the paralysis. The dwarf is moving in obvious pain. "Ragnar, do you need my aid for your wounds?" he asks. Ragnar nods his head in agony and the 1/2 elf lays his hands on the wounded dwarf and the edge of the pain starts to dull (CLW Heal 10).
"Thank you Salix. You have helped me enough that I can now help myself. Would you mind looking at the others and see who needs my help the most. Give me a few seconds to collect myself and I will be over." Ragnar then calls on his most powerful healing prayer and feels the blessings of his god flood over him (CSW, heal 20). He still aches and his muscles are still tight, but he is able to function and the worst of the bites and torn flesh is healed. "Now let me go see how I can help the others."
Ranthir stops his blow at Salix before it really comes close, but it probably scared the druid anyway. Still holding tight on his stomach he calls out to the rest of the party "Some of you move the worst of the wounded to the last room, Salix and I will search this room so that we can get out of here." Mund and Allistair nod and start to move towards Kal and Surin to offer their help.
Harp, a little oblivious to what Ranthir has just called out, tells asks Salix to help him with Surin and Ragnar. Salix hesitates for a minute and then nods. They move towards Ragnar but he waives them off telling them that he is much better now and that he would tend to Surin. "Ranthir would like help searching the room. May I?"Salix asks Harp. The 1/2 orc nods a bit distractedly and then motions to Kal. "Kal would you join me for a few minutes?" The elf nods, even though he is still in pain. The two walk back past the previous room and into the room where the gargoyles were. Harp shuts the door. Ragnar and Surin look at each other, shooting questioning glances at each other.
"Ok my little friend, lets see what I can do to help you." The cleric lays his hands on the bloody wounds and chants the healing prayer. The skin flows like water and closes over, leaving only a pink scar (CMW, heal 14). "How does that feel?"
Ragnar then walks over to Mund. "I know you are not religious but you have been hurt and I still have some healing grace. Would you accept it?" Mund snorts. "Just because I don't worship no god don't mean that they aint got no power. Heal away godspoken." Ragnar again lays his hands on the worst of the wounds and chants the healing prayer. Warmth flows from his hands (CMW, heal 12) and the skin pulls tight and pink over the wounds.
When he is done, the dwarf notices that Harp and Kal have returned. "Harp, can I speak with you for a minute?" The 1/2 orc nods and the two go back to the room that Harp had just come from. The rest of the party continues searching the room that had the creatures in them. They find nothing and Surin spends a long time looking at the door and listening. He hears nothing and reports that to the rest of the party. After a few minutes Harp calls every one into the room where the gargoyles had been.
He asks for their attention"Brother Ragnar is concerned that these foul, undead creatures may leave wounds that are more susceptible to festering than normal wounds. He would like to closely inspect any of you that were wounded for any signs of infection. If you start to feel weak or run down, I want you to tell me immediately. Ragnar has the ability the kill the infection, but only if he knows about it. Is this clear?"
The entire party nods agreement, but those wounded look a bit worried. "Ok what did you find out?" Harp asks. Ranthir reports that no key was found and that Surin heard nothing at the door. "I failed as your leader in fighting these creatures. I let myself get over anxious and let us get caught in an ambush that almost did not go our way. Salix and Allistair, my thanks for getting us out of that. I do not intent to make the same mistake again. These challenges are getting more and more difficult and we have to be smarter than I was in here. We will be more cautious on the future doors.
Now, do we check behind the door over there, or do we wait and rest up? My heart says open, but my brain says wait. What say you?"
A lively discussion follows with Mund the most vocal about waiting.
OODM: OK you guys can discuss whether you want to go in or not.
From: Josh
Subject Kal and Harp
Kal looks at Harp, wounded. "It wasn't that, I'm trained better that. Good planning is more valuable than one spell of strength. I saw that something was being killed in there, and I wasn't going to standby and find out afterwards if it was innocent.
I didn't require that everyone else followed me, but I wasn't going to allow an innocent to die if I could do something about it. If you wish to blame someone for the party's wounds, blame our gods for creating us with hearts of good and the will to do what is right. "