Chronicles of Arcania: B/X Homebrew game.

Game Master Peet

When the magi asks about the supplies, Ana remains silent, but casts a meaningful glance at Fistep.

No, not as of yet. I did have a question. When you had mentioned the 'main hall' before, did you mean passage way #6 through the carousel?

"So you've numbered them, have you? That is practical. And yes, the north one, which you can access by pressing the sixth button, leads to the stairs down."

Anything else?

Ready to move on and explore some more.

i agree

Nods, Thanks... that does help. He shrugs to the rest of the group, then stops and turns back to the magi and asks Do you know about mold, and how it might be defeated? He describes the mold

Move on.

Zynazyr smiles in relief when Auriga says the illusion will reset itself. He lets the others answer and turns to leave. He stops when Fistep asks his question.

"Oh yes, and do you know what kind of creature is in the abandoned ritual room to the north? It's about 6' long with skin, almost like wings, between its front and hind legs."

Walia says, "That was a strange beast. Anyway, we shan't dally, let us explore the rest. We also need water."

Do you know about mold, and how it might be defeated?

"Hah! I know the room you are talking about. Our solution is to close the door."

"Oh yes, and do you know what kind of creature is in the abandoned ritual room to the north?...."

"The last time we went up that way there was nothing up there. So whatever it is, it must have gotten in there recently. There are a variety of creatures native to the caverns below that make their way up here, looking for new hunting grounds. We usually try to avoid them."

"If we set guards on the lower entrance we might be able to keep them out, but then the Gormites and Madaruans and even the Zargonites would attack us to get access to the pyramid. We can't afford that."

"That abandoned chamber was once used by the Priests of Zargon. But they lost interest in this part of the pyramid before I was born."

Smirks at the humor, Thank you for the information... guess we should get to finding that water

"And tracking down their missing supplies," Ana says meaningfully.

"Well then, may Usamigaras light your way. Until we meet again," Auriga says as he smiles and nods.

He quietly closes the door.

SO, what now?
* A suggestion was made to go to passage #6. This may connect to the mold room you found.
* There is still the lizard in passage #5.
* You have not yet explored passage #1.
* You could return to camp via passage #2.
* Or something else?

Turns to the group, Well we have a good idea of where #6 goes, shall we at least go see what #1 has before tackling the lizard? he asks.

Me be guessing that the passage you speak of leads to the Brotherhood of Gorm. Is everybody ready for a fight? They may remember us from the arse-kicking we gave them.

"But they don't know Walia or me. I could try to spin a tale that Montague had ensorcelled you... Or we could avoid them."

"I'm for avoiding them. Ferrous is right in that they may remember, and be better planned."

Zynazyr listens to the others. "Yes, I agree. There is no reason to get into a fight at this point in time. Let's check the north passage way. It should lead to the stairs going down to the next level. Once we confirm that, we should work on returning the magi's supplies."

Walia says, "I think we should explore tunnel 1. We don't know what is there."

Okay, I don't see a consensus yet...

Wallia votes #1
Fistep maybe votes #1
Ferrous didn't vote but thinks #1 leads to the Gormites
Brathas didn't really vote but had some suggestions
Ana votes NOT #1
Zynazyr votes #6

See if you can come to a consensus or we can just do an open vote and majority rules.

"I will agree with Zynazyr here. We should search the north passage. But I also think that we need to turn that lizard into steaks before someone else does."

Aye getting some food sounds good especially if we be giving these wizards back what we rightfully stole. Ferrous says with a wink.

Sounds good to me... he smiles and rattles his sword Lets go get some lizard steaks!

12:00 AM, Day 4

TACTICAL MAP updated.

The party returns to the turntable and pushes button #5. The turntable rotates briefly and then stops.

Ferrous pulls the door aside to reveal the hallway. At the edge of the range of the party's light, there sits the lizard, sniffing the ground.

Its hide is a mottled grey, with black and brown spots. Its underside is paler, and its "wings" have black stripes and are slightly orange near the edges.

The lizard looks up, startled. It hisses threateningly.

Both sides are surprised, which is mechanically the same as if neither side is. Fortunately, the Lizard rolled VERY badly for initiative.

Round 1 Initiative:
Block 1: The Party
Block 2: The Lizard

Everyone is up!

Brathas lines up a shot at the lizard and lets an arrow fly.
I have +1 for short range, -1 for thirst, but I think no penalty for shooting over Ferrous?
THACO 16: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (3) = 13
shortbow: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Unfortunately, his shot goes wide.

Walia slings at the lizard 19 - 1d20 ⇒ 19 - (7) = 12 if hits 1d6 ⇒ 3

Drops his shield, pulls his bow and fires an arrow.

THACO: 17 - 1 - 1d20 ⇒ 17 - 1 - (5) = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Initiative: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

Ana, her bow at the ready, nocks and looses an arrow.

THAC0 20: 20 - 1d20 ⇒ 20 - (12) = 8 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Zynazyr adds to the volley, throwing his shuriken.

THACO: 18 - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ 18 - (19) + 1 = 0 -1 to hit firing past Fistep. I think I calculated that correctly.
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

I have +1 for short range, -1 for thirst, but I think no penalty for shooting over Ferrous?

Yes, that's right. Everyone calculated their modifiers right except Wallia, who hasn't had to do this before.

Wallia: The short range of a sling is 50 feet and you have +1 to hit anything at short range. But you have a -1 for each ally you are shooting past, so your shot was at -1. It wouldn't have made a difference in this case. NOTE though that doing the dice the way we are doing it, a bonus to hit has to be included as a NEGATIVE number, while a penalty is a POSITIVE number. I've tested using '19-(20+1)' but the dice expression doesn't recognize the brackets.

The party shoots and throws a volley of missiles down the corridor, but startled by the appearance of the beast, only Zynazyr's Ustar strikes home.

Ferrous is up; I'll give him 24 hours and then bot him.

Ferrous is up; I'll give him 24 hours and then bot him.

Ferrousbot hurls a throwing axe at the lizard...

19 - 1d20 ⇒ 19 - (3) = 161d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

... but his throw goes wide.

That's a lot of weak dice rolls. :)

1d2 ⇒ 1

The lizard rushes down the hall towards the group. Partway down the hall it leaps into the air and sails several feet, landing just in front of you. It snaps at Ferrous...

15 - 1d20 ⇒ 15 - (17) = -21d10 ⇒ 7

And gives Ferrous a serious wound.

Ouch! Ferrous takes 7 damage.

Round 2 Initiative!
Block 1: Ana, Brathas, Wallia, Zynazyr
Block 2: Lizard
Block 3: Ferrous, Fistep

Ana, Brathas, Wallia, and Zynazyr are up.

Walia slings at the lizard 1d20 + 1 - 19 ⇒ (13) + 1 - 19 = -5 instead of -5 it is 5 I think... if hits 1d6 ⇒ 2

Walia slings at the lizard 1d20+1-19 instead of -5 it is 5 I think... if hits 1d6

The formula should have been 19-1d20+1. So you rolled a natural 13, that means it is 19-13+1, or AC 7.

Wallia's sling stone glances off the creature's scaly hide harmlessly.

18-13=5 or 19-14 =5

18-13=5 or 19-14 =5

Enter 19 - 13 + 1 into a calculator and you will get 7. You could also do it as 19 + 1 - 13. Or you could use -13 + 19 + 1. It will be the same; for pure addition and subtraction the order of operations doesn't matter; you just always go from left to right.

I suspect that you are thinking it is 19-(13+1) but that is not the case. The +1 modifies the entire value, not the die roll. If we could modify JUST the die roll then we would use a negative number, since it is a penalty.

You still have time to edit your post and fix the order of operations in the dice expression - it will not change the roll.

[ooc] its a penalty not a bonus fair enough[/ooc

Brathas tries again with his bow.
THAC0 16: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (14) = 2
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Ana struggles to find a way to get to the front line to employ her battle axe.

If she is successful, she attacks with the axe.
THAC0 16: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (19) = -3 Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

If unsuccessful, she fires her bow again.
THAC0 20: 20 - 1d20 ⇒ 20 - (20) = 0 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Can we crit? I forget.

Brathas' shot strikes the lizard's tail, scoring a minor wound.

Ana struggles to find a way to get to the front line to employ her battle axe.

This would require either Fistep or Ferrous to fall back, and then you would have to move up afterwards. You basically would have to delay and go after the lizard attacks. Since it is dependent on their actions, and if either one does withdraw you will probably go before the lizard anyway, let's go with the bow shot.

Can we crit? I forget.

A natural 20 allows a second roll as if you had shot twice (though it is still the same arrow actually). So Yes! Go ahead and roll a second attack; if you don't within a day or so I will roll it for you.

Ana's arrow strikes deep in the lizard's torso.

Round 2 Initiative!
Block 1: Ana, Brathas, Wallia, Zynazyr
Block 2: Lizard
Block 3: Ferrous, Fistep

Zynazyr is up. I will bot him if he doesn't post in 24 hours or so.

Second attack (THAC0 20): 20 - 1d20 ⇒ 20 - (14) = 6 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Zynazyr tries his luck with a dagger.

thac0: 18 - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ 18 - (19) + 1 = 0
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Ana's second "shot" fails - it has AC 5.

Zynazy'r dagger strikes home, burying itself in the lizard's shoulder.

15 - 1d20 ⇒ 15 - (13) = 21d10 ⇒ 8

The lizard snaps at Fistep, narrowly missing. It shuffles backwards a short ways back down the hall.

Round 2 Initiative!
Block 1: Ana, Brathas, Wallia, Zynazyr
Block 2: Lizard
Block 3: Ferrous, Fistep

Round 3 Initiative!
Block 1: Ana, Brathas, Fistep, Zynazyr
Block 2: Lizard
Block 3: Ferrous, Wallia

Fistep, Ferrous, Ana, Brathas, and Zynazyr are all up. Fistep gets two actions in a row. Ferrous is pretty badly wounded.

The lizard has moved about 5' back. The hallway is narrow enough that only one person can easily engage the lizard in melee. If two people try to squeeze in the hallway to attack the lizard, both of them will get a -3 penalty to hit and a +3 penalty to their AC while doing so. If Ferrous is one of these two then it will drop to a -2/+2 penalty as he is not as big.

Brathas takes another shot, hoping he can down this beast before it kills either of the fighters.
THAC0 16: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (9) = 7
But his shot glances off the creature's hide.
"These steaks are tougher than I thought!"
Seeing how badly wounded Ferrous is,
"Fall back! I can cover you!"
The dice are not going our way... Except for Zynazyr.

Ana reloads and fires again, the shot bouncing off the lizard's scaly hide.

THAC0 20: 20 - 1d20 ⇒ 20 - (12) = 8 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Fires the bow at the lizard, then picks up his shield as he drops his bow. Pull Ferrous back, let Ana and her big axe through...

THACO: 17 - 1 - 1d20 ⇒ 17 - 1 - (3) = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Initiative: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Would it make sense for me to roll my own initiative before next round?

Would it make sense for me to roll my own initiative before next round?

You can if you want; it's optional. I roll initiative for anyone who hasn't rolled, but you can if you prefer to roll yourself.

Fires the bow at the lizard, then picks up his shield as he drops his bow. Pull Ferrous back, let Ana and her big axe through...

Fistep: FYI Ana has already taken her action and will not be moving up this round, meaning that leaving a gap for her in front of you just leaves you and others exposed.

You're stuck with the roll you made but if you have another idea in lieu of this you can change your action. For example you can step forward if you want.

Round 2 Initiative!
Block 1: Ana, Brathas, Wallia, Zynazyr
Block 2: Lizard
Block 3: Ferrous, Fistep

Round 3 Initiative!
Block 1: Ana, Brathas, Fistep, Zynazyr
Block 2: Lizard
Block 3: Ferrous, Wallia

Fistep ready's his sword to swing at the lizard if it advances forward, his shield out front.