GM Niles WotR |
Two uses of Mythic power and Brighton manages to encase the Rift in stone using Stone Shape.
Merry Christmas, everyone is level 7! Please post your level up results in the discussion thread
After the vescavor swarms are cleared, it's only a few more hours of marching before the Army nears the ruins of Drezen. The riverbed rises at a noticeable slope for these last few miles , rising up out of the Ahari gorge, and a stink of smoke and grime can be detected on the wind-a telltale sign of a city fallen to filth and horror.
Unfortunately, Citadel Drezen fell to treachery in 4638. Now, cultists devoted to Deskari and Baphomet control the ruins as well as the city's formidable stronghold-their fires light the city's battlements, the nearby spawning grounds, and the mountain pass where valuable prisoners are taken deeper into the Worldwound
for sacrifice or worse. The Abyssal influence on the surrounding terrain has also dried up the tributary of the Sellen River running through the city, creating a wide gulf separating its once-green banks.
As you get closer to the city the Army comes to a halt. Aron, Anevia, Lann and the Kellid scouts all leave to gather information on the situation in the city.
Sosiel and Irabeth sketch out a Map of Drezen
GM Niles WotR |
Well I was gonna wait for Konny or Barundar to chime in, but its been almost a week.
The Scouts return with news The Spoiler titles correspond to places on the map.
human cultists alike are camped in Drezen's southern district, and they're guarding a large amount of what appears to be captured crusader gear. Not only will defeating these cultists decrease the city's defenses, but the gear could augment the resources of the Crusader army.
reinforcements for the army.
Barundar Hammerfist |
Barundar listens to the reports from the scouts with great interest, stroking his beard thoughtfully as he considers the group's options.
"Several options here...i'm o' th' mind that we shuid secure th' watchtowers first...then recover th' gear from th' Southbank 'n' rescue th' prisoners from Paradise Hill 'n' arm thaim wi' th' gear we recovered fae Southbank. Efter that, ah think we shuid clear th' cemetery o' th' undead thare, then...not sure if it'd be better tae tackle th' haunted vault or th' Ahari Bridge foremaist. Mibbie th' vault sae we kin be fully dedicated tae taking back th' bridge wi'oot worry o' interference."
"All that bein' said, a'm na tactician 'n' ithers ur free tae offer thair suggestions as well."
Konny Hammerhead |
"It depends on the range of the catapults on the watchtowers. We might postpone that attack. Anyway I guess we should clear the south bank and the bridge before proceeding north. I do not even feel comfortable leaving the vault in our back. It sounds more like a job for a strike team than an army anyway." Konny voices his opinion.
Barundar Hammerfist |
"As long as we ain't leavin' tha vault behind us, I agree tha it oughta coom last. An' I dinnae think we oughta rescue any prisoners afore tha catapults are handled, else thay might harass anybody we set free tryin' ta rejoin tha main army. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
GM Niles WotR |
Ok the Southbank is a mass combat so refresh your mass combat rules. Choose a commander for the two allied units. You have the Rangers of Neatholme and the Crusading Knights. The Kellid Barbarians were destroyed as a unit. Once you guys have decided on commanders, choose tactics and roll a d20. It will take the Tiefling army about 4 turns to get into position to attack you, so your armies have a shot at fighting only one foe at a time.
Barundar Hammerfist |
"Bah...alright, then. Ah will stae wi' th' Knights but I still think Irabeth should lead thaim. If we reclaim th' gear foremaist ah say we shuid take Paradise Hill next...it wilnae do ony good tae git th' supplies back if we dinnae hae an airmie tae give them tae. I still say we need tae tak' doon the siege engines bonny quick."
Do you want me to go ahead and make the offense rolls for the knights? Or wait until the others have chimed in? Also, would it actually be more beneficial for Irabeth to lead the army? Does she have a CHA bonus/Pro(Soldier) ranks/Leadership feat? Any of that stuff that benefits an army from the leadership's perspective?
GM Niles WotR |
Irabeth can absolutely command an army, she has both ranks in Prof:Soldier and a positive CHA modifier. Lann can also command the Rangers leaving you guys free to do other things if you would like. I'm ok with resolving the Mass combat on my own and letting you guys move on to the other encounters.
Barundar Hammerfist |
Doing the mass combat off camera and having us move on to the other encounters actually seems the most preferable option to me.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Konny Hammerhead |
I agree
GM Niles WotR |
Would you guys rather a combat encounter to replace the Mass Combat one? Ie you guys fight the "bosses" of the army while the NPC's and the Army fights the mass of creatures.
Barundar Hammerfist |
I second that agreement.
-Posted with Wayfinder
GM Niles WotR |
OK, I'm working on the maps and such. Will try to have them up today. MY internet was down all day yesterday due to weather, sorry.
Belledonna |
My son & I went to Mom's viewing last Tuesday. He had questions. I gave him the best answers I was able. Now we are awaiting the Death Certificate so that I can try to unravel the snarl that several years...
Suffice it to say that I could only wish it was as simple to deal with the bureaucratic aftermath of my mother's death as it seems it is to deal with other things.
That said, while my posting likely won't be as often as I originally imagined, I'm back.
The near total loss of her kinsmen, following her dream no less, has had a sobering effect upon Belledonna in the days since. Saying little & otherwise interacting less, she has begun to seem less a woman & more an erratic engine of destruction.
Brud, son of Brud |
One of the sole surviving members of the Kellid Barbarians approaches Victrix & the others during their war council.
"Tawera, e kore e te kaimau o te mamae to matou whenua o te korero. E kore ia e kata. E kore e karanga ana ia, e kore ano te aue ia. Kua hapa katoa o koutou hohonu o te mamae i whakapangia ki nga tahutahu rewera ki runga ki o matou whenua, engari e wehi ahau hoki ia, ki te kahore ia i matau ana ko tenei..."
GM Niles WotR |
Just waiting on Konny to update his profile. But I'll forge forward.
@Belle They aren't all dead, actually the fatalities should be about 25% its just that the unit was destroyed as a unit. The remnants are considered to be fighting with one of the other Units. Mass Combat rules are really vague.
The Crusaders march to engage the Tiefling and Cultist armies on the Southern Bank of the Sellen River. Irabeth over leadership of the army, with Sosiel, Aron and Anevia acting as her lieutenants. Lann and his rangers march in a loose formation, with many of the Kellids as skirmishers. Irabeth believes that taking control of the Southern Bank will provide the army a foothold. Brighton remains behind with the healers, citing an urge from Torag to provide defense instead of attacking.
Seeing the Crusader Knights coming, the Tieflings muster but the larger cultist army isn't as fast and so Irabeth must only deal with one army at a time.
The party is in the Vanguard of the army, which dismounts to fight in the ruins. The battle is joined and goes well for the Crusaders, until a shout arises, a small knot of tieflings and demons is cutting a swath through the Crusader lines, the Heroes of Kenebres are needed!
The entire battlefield is considered rough terrain because of the mass of combatants so no charging or 5' steps. The darker squares are double rough terrain, and cost 4 squares of movement instead of only 2.
Konny Hammerhead |
As soon as we decide to go for them, Konny tries to cast Shield.
spell failure chance: 1d100 ⇒ 49
successfully
Belledonna |
Belledonna is going to try out leading with her Rallying Cry.
Confronted with this new focus for her ire, Belledonna calls forth for her ancestor's aid.
Standard Action: Rallying Cry; Belledonna & all allies within 30' gain a +2 Morale Bonus to all attack & damage rolls for the next three rounds.
Brud, son of Brud |
Brud's spells for today: Orisons: Create Water, Detect Poison, Purify Food & Drink, Stabilize
1st: Cure Light Wounds x 3, Faerie Fire
2nd: Barkskin, Fog Cloud, Resist Energy
3rd: Cure Moderate Wounds, Neutralize Poison
Not going to list his Domain spells because I doubt very much they will come into play today.
Brud calls upon the forces of Nature to toughen Victrix' skin, making it as durable as bark.
Cast Barkskin (+2 Natural AC/50 minutes) on Victrix.
Victrix Bloodmane |
With a plan in motion, it was time for Victrix and company to take the field.
She nods at Brud as he invokes the blessings of Nature upon her. She feels her skin toughening. "Thanks!"
She turns to the rest of the party as she draws her greatsword. "Now, COME WITH ME AND TAKE THIS CITY!"
GM Niles WotR |
Correct, its a crowded battlefield, so no running/charging.
Round 1
Konny casts Shield
Victrix holds?
Barundar holds?
Belledonna uses Rallying Cry
Brud casts Barkskin on Vic
Barkskin 5 mins Victrix
Shield 10 rounds Konny
Bad guys will go tomorrow morning.
Barundar Hammerfist |
Barundar is going to take the most direct route he can to close the distance between himself and the bad guys. Two move actions, so eight squares of movement...if I'm figuring right, I think I can make it to 8-S in one round. Is that right?
GM Niles WotR |
Decided to forgo initiative and just do blocks. You guys, then them. So essentially you "won" initiative by default. Also, for movement, grey squares are "difficult terrain" and dark grey areas are considered "Difficult terrain and Obstacles" Acrobatics will allow you to move through the terrain as per the skill, also spells like Freedom of Movement et al. will allow normal movement. Those spells will also make the Dark Grey areas into difficult terrain and allow you to pass through them. Basically what I was trying to do with the map was simulate a crowded battlefield where dozens/hundreds of combatants are milling around.
Moved Vic and Barundar.
Bad guys moved and cast spells. Perception DC 20 to discern anything about them. Kn:Planes DC 21 to identify the demons.
Good Guys are up.
Barkskin 5 mins Victrix
Shield 10 rounds Konny
Brud, son of Brud |
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Well, I guess Brud notices something...
With the surge of martial pride granted him by Belledonna's Rallying Cry, Brud quickly strings & looses an arrow at the most threatening of these foes.
Longbow attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 2 = 26, Longbow crit.: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 2 = 20
Longbow damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5, crit. damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5, for either five or ten Piercing damage, depending on if the crit succeeded.
Belledonna |
Her ire raised, Belledonna calls forth a cloud of glittering dust to blind & impede her foes.
Standard action: Cast glitterdust DC 17, centered at the four-person group. It doesn't allow spell resistance, so I am not going to roll for Penetration.
Konny Hammerhead |
Round 1 addendum (as I was not aware it is combat already)
Konny moves to the north (25 ft in dificult terraine).
Round 2
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Knowledge(planes): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 maybe next time, Highlander
Konny continues moving to the north trying to nimbly blend among the fighting soldiers. His aim is to circle the opponents unseen.
double move
Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30 I have not found how exactly it may be used in this situation, but just in case.
GM Niles WotR |
Konny and Brud notice that the teiflings are heavily armed and armored, and wield scythes. Two of them Wooden and Grey Square cast spells, the other two tieflingsgreen and purple exude an aura of evil that is almost palpable. The final two creaturesblue and gold are demons, but you cannot tell of what variety.
Brud scores a critical hit! 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 longbows are x3 weapons.
Belledonna casts Glitterdust WillGold: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10WillMetalSquare: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20WillPurple: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24WillWoodensquare: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Gold is blinded, the others resist.
Basically Konny, since you are moving through a bunch of occupied squares its an Acrobatics roll to beat a CMD to treat the terrain as normal. Like I said, I'm making this up there isn't any rule for it.
Konny makes it behind the enemies, he doesn't think they have noticed him.
Vic and Barundar
Barundar Hammerfist |
Second verse, same as the first. Without a ranged attack the best I can do is just use my full move to get as close as I can every turn. If it's double movement cost, then I can get four squares. I'm thinking 8-R might be the best place to shoot for right now.
GM Niles WotR |
Vic moves up as does Barundar.
The enemies move forward.
Wooden Square casts a spell and a Magical Scythe appears to attack Victrix Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17Force: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Barkskin 5 mins Victrix
Shield 7 rounds Konny
Spiritual Weapon 4 Rounds Victrix
Party is up!
Konny Hammerhead |
Round 3
Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34
Konny sneaks behind the brown tiefling and attacks silently with Biggie
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
damage: 2d6 + 5 + 3d6 ⇒ (6, 6) + 5 + (1, 6, 3) = 27 assuming he has not noticed me
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 if he has not noticed me, he is probably flat-footed so we will see
extra critical damage: 4d6 + 10 ⇒ (6, 4, 6, 2) + 10 = 28 Biggie is x3
Seeing as his aim was true, Konny tries to finish his opponent.
Surprise strike: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 for this one he is certainly flat-footed
damage: 2d6 + 5 + 3d6 ⇒ (3, 5) + 5 + (2, 3, 1) = 19
Current AC 25 (Shield, Defensive Offense)
MP 6/7
GM Niles WotR |
His FF AC is 21, so no crit.
Konny smacks the Cleric of Deskari hard hitting for a total of 46!
Barundar moves forward to engage the demon, Radiance hums with power, sensing its chosen foe nearby.
Belle Brud and Vic
Victrix Bloodmane |
Round 3: Actions
Move Action: Move to K-10
Standard Action: Total Defense: +4 Dodge bonus to AC until my next turn
Victrix pushes on, heedless of the spiritual scythe trying to break her skin. The spell Brud worked on her was able to deflect its blade for now.
She stops short of the tiefling combatants, adopting a purely defensive stance. "Come on then! Show me what yeh're made of!"
Konny Hammerhead |
Are we waiting for something specific?
"Uh-oh" Konny realizes that he is alone behind enemy lines and his plan to take the Tiefling down quickly did not work, even though he surprised him and was able to land a blow twice. "I have a bad feeling about this."
GM Niles WotR |
It has been well over 24 hours since Belledonna posted in Gameplay.
Brud shoots his bow again 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 missing.
Belle moves a little closer to the action.
Gold Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 is still blinded and roars in annoyance.
Blue moves forward to engage Barundar, the demon attacks with a powerful swing of its sword Sword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 but the Stonelord easily deflects it on his shield.
Wood Square turns on Konny Lord Deskari will feast on your soul! and attacks with a scythe Scythe: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 but the nimble dwarf dodges aside.
Green moves forward and chants in Abyssal, Victrix feels weary. Litany of Weakness
Purple also moves forward to engage the warrioress.
Metal Frame casts a spell DC 17 to identify as Sonic Scream he shouts a scream that is magically enhanced Vic Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Vic takes 4d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 4) = 12 sonic damage.
Spiritual Weapon attacks Vic Force: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 missing.
Good Guys go Round 4
Barkskin 5 mins Victrix
Shield 6 rounds Konny
Spiritual Weapon 3 Rounds Victrix
Konny Hammerhead |
Round 4
The mention of the foul demon lord drives Konny to attack quickly taking advantage of the tiefling's wide swing.
Surprise strike: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
damage: 2d6 + 5 + 3d6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 5 + (3, 2, 1) = 17
"More likely some scavangers will feast on your body soon!" he shouts and follows with another attack...
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 4) + 5 = 11
AC 25
MP 5/7
Victrix Bloodmane |
Round 4: Actions
Move Action: Move to K-11
Standard Action: Total Defence again--+4 to AC until my next turn
Whatever sorcery the tiefling cast on her that tired her out, it paled compared to being screamed at.
Still not as harsh as some of the Crusader's drill instructors.
Victrix approaches the three warriors and remains in a defensive stance. It was only a matter of time until she unleashed sheer hell...
GM Niles WotR |
Still waiting on Belle and Barundar, I'll bot in the morning if nothing is posted.
Belledonna |
Sorry! Posting now.
Knowing from past experience that her martial companions are more than equal to the task of dispatching their foes if allowed the opportunity, Belledonna focuses instead upon denying her foes the chance to escorcell them.
Action: Held action to cast Dispell Magic if either Metal or Wood attempts to cast a spell again.
Brud, son of Brud |
Seeing his spiritual leader's hesitation & concentration, Brud contemplates how best to disrupt the fell magician's magic. Nocking an arrow to his bow, he awaits the perfect opportunity to loose it.
Held action: bow attack on the next foe that looks as though they are about to cast a spell.
If I go another extended period of time without posting, these will be my default actions for both Belledonna & Brud as long as there are casters.
Barundar Hammerfist |
His enemy coming to him, Barundar heaves his hammer in a heavy swing, glad for the opportunity to put more effort into bringing this foe down than actually getting to him.
Swift action: Activate Stonestrike. +2 Atk/Dmg
Full-round action: Full attack
Attack 1: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 = 17
Damage 1: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12
Attack 2: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11
Damage 2: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13
Stonestrike uses left: 6. Hmm...DM Niles, would it be possible to have Radiance use its own legendary power to augment that attack? I hate to waste a Stonestrike on a total whiff and I think if the sword is capable of taking an action separate from my own to use a legendary power surge it would put me over the edge.