DM Harpwizard’s Heroes of Elsir Vale (Inactive)

Game Master GM Harpwizard

Well hot dam on a stick!!

I slither back outside, (Stealth: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (2) + 23 = 25) then skip jauntily to the group (I trust I can find them easily enough?)

Assuming we're in a place where we can talk discreetely, I'll saunter up to them, and hold up the letter, taking care not to damage the seal.

Hey Tirion--looks like we don't need to forge a damning letter after all!! Hehehe I just witnessed, with my own eyes, the Duke write and seal this letter with is signet ring--careful, don't break the seal!--and hand it to a servant with instructions to deliver it to "House Kzlashtarr in the Darklands," which as we know is a Very Bad Thing. I lifted the letter from said servant only moments ago, and read it. Here; I'll hold it up so the seal won't break, read it!! hehehe!!

I carefully hold the letter so folks can read it. it's in the last spoiler to me under the Duke's posting above

"We will do what is needed to correct this matter, Tirion."

I look at Bofus - Yes, we have some VERY incriminating evidence, but perhaps we should make sure that the letter gets delivered. Only, with some changes.

The other option would be to prepare a little trap when these drow emerge from their tunnels. Either is fine with me. Obviously eliminating them is key, but more important is to show that the Duke is corrupt and to make sure that the waste of a life Duke is not allowed to bring his arrogance to this land.

Did anyone else learn anything more about the Duke? What forces he has here and so forth?

Thordak walks up with his tankard of ale still in hand, having missed everything. "So here ye all are! Oi was wonderin why it was so quiet in the dining hall. Everyone started tae leave. I hope it wasn't my joke about the troglydote and the priest. Oh, greetings mam. Oi didn't meet to interrupt and a'. There's some mighty fine ale there that ye are all missin!"

"Here; I'll hold it up so the seal won't break, read it!! hehehe!!"

The Lady Nesten appears greatly relieved as she hears the letter.

"Very interesting, House Kzlashtarr is not the noble house where my father's friend Xzartice came from. I wonder if this is a rival house. This would explain a lot! You have done well, Master Beerswizzzler. Now, I will kindly take that letter from you,! For indeed this is all the evidence that I need to ruin the Duke and his plans. We can then get on with the plans of saving as many of my people as we can!"

"Did anyone else learn anything more about the Duke? What forces he has here and so forth?"

"Master Tirion, he has a small entourage of guards and servants, but they will not be a problem. The Duke himself is the most dangerous of all of them. I cannot thank you enough. Tonight, you will stay as my guests of honor, but first would you be kind enough to assist my own guards and capture the Duke. Let's put him in my dungeon so as to prevent him from causing any more trouble!"

"Oh, greetings mam. Oi didn't meet to interrupt and a'."

"That is quite alright, Son of Throtgar. You didn't miss much. If you are still quite able, perhaps you could help your companions with the last of this little episode! Let's at the very least capture Duke Murandal and send him back to Lord Jarmaath in Brindol where the High Lord can deal with this breach in his trust!"

Tirion, I do like the way you think, but I see three problems with your idea.
First, we're on a bit of a time crunch here. We need to leave, and we have no idea how long it would take the servant to deliver this message, or how long--or even IF--any drow would respond.
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Second, from what I've heard, these drow are preeeeety nasty. could easily be more than we can handle, particularly in a public place where there's a lot of potential for collateral damage.
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Third, Grampy Bozak used to say "K.I.S.S.--Keep it simple, stupid!!" We've got the Duke by the short hairs already. Further deception on our part brings *our* honor into question, and just adds layers of complexity that are impossible to predict. He's handed us his manhood on a silver platter; I don't see any need to try to gild the platter as well!
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I think we should take the good Lady's suggestion: take the Puke into custody, and have him delivered in chains to Brindol, with our compliments. That way we've left no loose ends, and we can continue our mission first thing in the morning! What say you, boys??
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Besides, i'm very much looking forward to stabbing this guy with his own dagger!!

Were any of you knighted of given any legal authority from Brindol? The fastest method may simply be to arrest him. M'lady, if you have the authority, I would ask you to deputize us. Then we shall arrest and bind him so that you can take him to Brindol for trial and to be held.

The more important question is whether he is also tied in with the Horde? The queen if dragons is known for being evil and chaotic. Likewise, drow tend to follow a similar chaotic and evil tendency. So, do you think that they are working together? Perhaps we should seal this entry. Thordak, should we look and see what comprises this entry to the underdark. Sealing it will not keep them out permanently, but it will certainly slow them down.

Drow eh? Oi never seen 'em much but Oi hear they're elve's o' sorts... 'course they're prob'ly better'n regular elves as they live underground. But who knows, there're some nasty critters under there... Oi'll take a look. Thordak says.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

Thing is, we haven't got time te mess with tha Duke. We've gotta stop tha horde! Oi say, toss him down there with the Drow an' shut tha door! We'd prob'ly never hear from him again, eh? There's more than Drow that dwell in tha dark o' tha Underdark, ye know...

Thordak, were you planning on leaving for the next leg of our journey in the dark of night?? We can capture this Duke tonight, have a celebratory drink, get a good night's sleep, and still save the world in the morning!! c'mon, this'll be fun! Tell me you don't want to smack the flat of your axe-blade against the duke's forehead. Go ahead, tell me!! You'd be lying!!
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Mantooth is a Brindol Knight. I'm not extremely well-versed in Brindol law, but I'll bet crowns to corncobs that there are laws for fraternizing with evil races, blackmail, and murder--all of which are confessed to in this handy-dandy document!
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I agree that sealing up that door or portal or whatever is a wise move. Maybe we can all put our heads together over a pint later.
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But may I point out that we should move NOW--because the duke's servant is going to notice he doesn't have the letter, and he's going to go to the Duke, who will either know something is afoot, or write a new letter, or both. Anyone object to moving, and moving right now??

as i speak, I pull out my sap and swing it a few times.

"Perhaps we should seal this entry."

"There is no worry of that. My father, Lord Nesten, has ensured that the entrance is sealed up. It is held shut by a locked iron portal, and there is no way that anyone can get in or out unless it is opened from this side by the key around my . . . Oh dear. It is missing! I wonder if the Duke has taken it! My key is missing! Quick, by all means go and arrest the Duke, find the key and let's prevent any more disasters from coming our way."

Who goes where? Please post your plans. Use bold if your character is talking, but regular print for what your character actually doing!

Even without a key, any door can be passed, it simply takes the time and the will. We will go and give the Duke a welcome. Come on lads, we have a corrupt noble to deal with.

OK, then, its time for action!! Follow me gents, we'll start at the ignoble Noble's room!!

I lead them toward the Duke's chamber. I keep hidden as we move, making myself visible to my friends as needed to lead them to the right place.

Stealth: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (16) + 23 = 39

Bofus leads his companions through several hallways and reaches the doorway to the Duke's chamber. As you following him he disappears into the shadows and then emerges out of nowhere calling you forth. Soon you reach a solid oak door with a rounded archway that Bofus gestures to. The door is closed but appears to open inward.

Battlemat

I quietly address the Lady. M'Lady, may I suggest you step back? I don't want to put you in any more physical danger!

I'll pull out the EoD (trying to keep it hidden from her view) and check the door for traps, determine if it's locked, AND listen! I'll stow the EoD as soon as I'm done with searching.

Perception (traps): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23
Perception (other): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

"M'Lady, may I suggest you step back? I don't want to put you in any more physical danger!"

"I will not feel safe until the Duke is safely captured and in your custody. So until that time, please permit me to stay nearby. I promise that I will not put myself in any unnecessary harm's way."

DMHW: I want to determine whether I heard anything through the door before unlocking it, if you please. :-)

OK then. I unlock the door, then stand back and let The Law (ie. Mantooth) kick it open. I'll stand just to one side of the door and hide.

Disable Deivce:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (18) + 19 = 37
Stealth: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (3) + 23 = 26

Bofus unlocks the door and Mantooth opens it. Immediately bolts fly as two guards covered behind a table and bed shoot their readied shots from crossbows.

Crossbow 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage 1d8 ⇒ 8

Crossbow 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Damage 1d8 ⇒ 4

Surprise Round

Two bolts fly through the air toward the Paladin, but Mantooth is able to easily deflect them off of his shield.

Initiative

Bofus Initiative 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Mantooth Initiative 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Tirion’s Initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Mutamba Initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Thordak Initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Guard's Initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Round 1

Bofus (unresolved)
Mutamba (unresolved)
Tirion (unresolved)
Guards (unresolved)
Thordak (unresolved)
Mantooth (unresolved)

Battlemat

I would have cast Message earlier as usual in these situations.

Whisper: Let me do some preparatory work before we begin.

First, I cast Mage Armor --> +4 AC for 6 hours
Second, I cast Spectral Hand --> 6 minutes duration - I take 1d4 ⇒ 4 temp damage which I get back when the spell expires.
Third, just before Mantooth goes charging into the room, I cast Haste on the party.

Let me know if any of these do not work, then I will subtract them from my daily totals.

DAMN - Ninjaed by the DM by 29 seconds - this would have been my prep work. A standard before any expected combat.

No problem, Tirion. Consider it done! Be sure to deduct your spells.

Thanks - everyone is hasted, make sure you know the rules.

1 extra attack, +1 dodge AC bonus, +1 Reflex, +1 attack bonus, +30 movement(+20 for me and Bofus)

Mutamba digs deep into his back of bag of heavenly gifts. Raising his hand and pointing to the nearest guard, Mutamba roars, "Lay down your arms!"

Cast Command to drop crossbow on nearest guard. DC 16

ROUND 1

Hmmm . . . usually going first is a good thing, but since they've already shot and are not flat-footed, it behooves me to wait.

I'll delay until everyone else has made an action.

FREE ACTION I'll catch the Lady's eye, and signal for her to move out of the line of fire.

I will also delay and allow the muscle finish these guards. My guess is that the Duke is about and I would prefer saving my spells for him.

Round 1

• Mutamba commands one of the guards to drop their crossbow.

Will Save 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Accustomed to following orders and struck by the forcefulness of the command, the Duke's guard drops his crossbow. However, his companion looks at him with disdain, reloads and shoots off another bolt from behind cover.

Crossbow 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage 1d8 ⇒ 4

Round 1

Round 1

Guards (resolved)
Thordak (unresolved)
Mantooth (unresolved)
Bofus (unresolved)
Tirion (unresolved)

Round 1

Thordak charges in with his axe drawn and double moves to E12.

"Oi would learn to wash yer hands fella, yer fingers musta have butter on em!"

Thordak, don't forget you have an extra 20' on your move, I think you should be able to get to him and hit him twice from the haste spell.

get to him, yes. Hit him twice--NO. You only get the extra attack on a full attack action

Round 1, Continued

Thordak reaches over the table and sends his axe slicing into the defenseless guard.

Battle Axe 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Damage 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Round 1 - Mantooth

Mantooth smiles at the guards as he steps forward to G12.
You chose a poor path, may Iomedae have pity on your souls.

Attack-F13: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 <-- His character sheet says 1d10, but if this is a longsword it should be 1d8. Here is a 1d10 if there is a reason for the difference. 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Perhaps the worse rolls in history, or at least close.

Round 1

• Mutamba cast Command on the Guard at E13 and the guard dropped his crossbow.
• Guard shoots but misses.
• Thordak attacks the Guard at E13 and delivers a deadly blow.
• Mantooth steps forward to G12 and attacks, but misses.
Bofus (unresolved)
Tirion (unresolved)

Battlemat

Round 2

Mutamba (unresolved)
Guards (unresolved)
Thordak (unresolved)
Mantooth (unresolved)
Bofus (unresolved)
Tirion (unresolved)

Round 1
I go full defense. I do not plan on using any more spells unless absolutely necessary.
+4 to AC so my AC should be 23 with the Mage Armor and Total Defense

Round 2

Thordak swings his axe back and forth with great force, attacking both guards with two slashing sweeps.

Glimdraath 2h PA Cleave:1d20 + 11 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 4 + 1 = 17
+11 2h, +4 Favored Enemy, +1 MW Axe
Damage:1d10 + 6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 4 + 2 = 17
+6 2h, +4 Favored Enemy, +2 Magic axe

Glimdraath 2h PA Cleave:1d20 + 11 + 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 4 + 1 - 2 = 33
+11 2h, +4 Favored Enemy, +1 MW Axe, -2 PA
Damage:1d10 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 4 + 2 + 4 = 17
+6 2h, +4 Favored Enemy, +2 Magic axe, +4 PA

Thordak, you might want to check things. You missed by default on the initial swing - you rolled a 1. But as a full attack at level 6, your BAB is +6, so you get two attacks as a full attack with the second being at +1 (+6-5). Thus, your second roll/ cleave attack - where you rolled the 19, should have been your second attack - which would have resulted in a 28 after modifiers. And then you should get one more attack roll at -5 for the cleave against the second guard.

Waiting to see if his skills are still needed, Mutamba holds his actions for moment.

Hold action

ROUND 1

I move to G13 and Feint against the guy at F13.

Bluff (to feint): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

ROUND 2

Stab F13 dude

Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 + sneak attack 3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 3) = 9

Use Butterfly STing to give Thordak the crit if this hits:
crit confirm: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

if he falls, move to threaten the remaining dude.

You might consider surrendering now, sir.

Something tells me that this guy is going to suffer some extreme pain in a few minutes.
Bofus - you cannot assign the hit to someone, it is the next person to hit that person. Although if it is only you and Thordak, it is a good chance that it will be Thordak.

Tirion: Those attacks were both at full I thought because of haste. Does that clear things up? Also, is it two rolls for a cleave attack or just one?

Ah, then you get a third attack at -5. At level 6 as a ranger, you get 2 attacks BAB/BAB-5. Haste gives you an extra attack at full, so you would get BAB/BAB/BAB-5. I just realized that you could not use Cleave as that is a standard action. You are better with the Haste doing the Full attack. If you have Great Cleave and there were 3 or more, then cleave would be better.

What I am trying to say is you should get one more attack at BAB-5. This will not be the Butterfly Sting from Bofus as he went after you in round 1. You will get the auto-confirmed crit from Bofus as long as one of your 3 attacks in Round 2 hits.

Tirion: thanks for the reminder on Butterfly Sting. Forgot how that worked.
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yeah, Thordak, Tirion is right: you're better using a full attack action when you're Hastened. If you have to move first, then Cleave is a better choice--just don't forget you get -2 AC for the rest of the round when you use it.

Okay, thanks. Then DMHW: Can I just forget the cleave part of that attack and call it a day?

DMHW is out for the day.
By my calculations, you should have:
Attack: +6/+1 BAB, +3 Str, +4 Favored Enemy, +2 Magic, +1 Haste, -2 Power Attack = +14/+9 on the attack
--> Because of the Haste, you get an extra attack at your highest BAB, so you are +14/+14/+9 on a full attack.
--> No MasterWork bonus as your axe is magic, you just get the magic bonus
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Damage: +4 Str (2-handed=+3*1.5), +6 Power Attack(2 handed), +2 Magic, +4 Favored Enemy = +16 (+13 1-handed)
--> 2-handed is x1.5 Str, but also increases the PA by x1.5
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Based on this, with a full attack you should be doing
Attack 1: [dice]1d20+14[dice]
Damage 1: [dice]1d10+16[dice]
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Attack 2: [dice]1d20+9[dice]
Damage 2: [dice]1d10+16[dice]
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Attack 3(hasted bonus): [dice]1d20+14[dice]
Damage 3(hasted bouns): [dice]1d10+16[dice]
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Thus, you should make one more roll for your extra hasted attack and restate the rolls from above to make it easier on DMHW. Your first attack was an auto-miss with the 1 roll.
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Note: You have 2 favored enemies, Human and Goblin. One should be +2 and one +4, it is your choice which is which as at level 5 when you got your second FE, you could add an extra +2 to one other FE, including the one you just chose. You do not get +4 against both of them at present.
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Also, I would put all your feats, including the Ranger Bonus feats under the feat section and just list them as being Ranger Bonus, I was wondering where yours were until I checked the Ranger spoiler to see what your Favored Enemies were.

Tirion: I thought that the MW bonus was for the attack, and the magic bonus was for the damage? As for the favored enemy, I am thinking the +4 against humans is most logical, given our history...

Attack 3(hasted bonus): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
Damage 3(hasted bonus): 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

Magic is Attack and Damage - essentially the first +1 replaces the MW bonus, thereafter, whatever the + for the weapon is, you get that + on attack and damage.

I find it helps to remmber "types." Masterwork grants a +1 "enhancement" bonus to hit. Magic plusses grant "enhancement" bonuses to hit and damage. Because they're both "enhancement" bonuses, they don't stack. If you were to enter an anti-magic field, a magic weapon would still be masterwork, so you'd still get the +1 enhancement to hit (since it's not a magical bonus, but due to the quality of the weapon).
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Bonuses are "typed" unless specified "typeless" (example: Defending weapon). Forgetting that there are bonus types can lead to confusion real fast!

Round 1

• Bofus moves to G13 and attempts to throw the guard at F13 off balance with a feint. The guard cannot sense what Bofus is attempting.

• Tirion defends himself with full defense.

Round 2

• Mutamba holds his actions for a moment.
• Guard responds with force attacking Thordak and Mantooth with their maces.

Mace attacking Thordak 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Mace attacking Mantooth 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

• Duke Murandal steps out of nowhere and attacks Mantooth.

Rapier 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 2 = 31
Damage & Sneak Attack 1d6 + 3d6 ⇒ (5) + (3, 4, 5) = 17

• Thordak's Glimdraath delivers a mighty a blow with one of his three attacks, seriously wounding his opponent.

• Mantooth (unresolved)
• Bofus attacks the guard at F13 and hits.

Tirion (unresolved)

Battlemat

Round 3

Mutamba (unresolved)
Guards (unresolved)
Duke (unresolved)
Thordak (unresolved)
Mantooth (unresolved)
Bofus (unresolved)
Tirion (unresolved)