Heh. I'm not suggesting we call the encounter because Bjorkus is down. I'm suggesting we call the encounter because it's effectively over and I think we'd all like to move on to whatever happens next.
On the plus side, even partial experience for failing this encounter is certain to level us. Right? Right? =P
I'm considering what Dalton would do in this case. He may run or he may decide the chance of escape is so slim, he'd be better at some last-ditch effort. I can force a random one of these, at level 3-5, but there are only a few that would make a difference.
Oh, Heff - why do you take more than a round to show up?
There are ways. There is one way that has a reasonably high chance of success.
Targ isn't stupid, you were briefed that and have seen it. Uneducated, cruel, evil, but not stupid. He immediately attacked one of the two paladins doing massive amounts of damage to him, focusing on him until he went down.
Then suddenly he turned and attacked the extremely weakened, unarmed slave who has done nothing to him yet instead of attacking the other paladin who left two deep gashes in him. Now why would he do that? Why would he suddenly lose his focus on who's important to kill...
I, for one, was expecting some sort of JRPG giant summon attack.
I'm kind of looking forward to chatting with the other prisoners again.
Because he has an ego.
Well if you're going to keep rolling, you had might as well go for it.
Since Gabe can't fight this turn anyway, he could heal Toramin to keep him from bleeding to death.
Some questions.
1. Is it possible for Dalton to exit the room without AoO?
2. Can you describe which chained slave looks the deadliest and the appearance of the bindings of that slave?
3. If 27-32 were to occur, can they be miniature stuffed platypi?
I have no idea how this will work.
In other news, we got a hefty number of posts in tonight.
It's a shame they weren't all in gameplay. =P
@Gabriel - Oh come now, think beyond that. Suddenly he seems to have lost control of who is important to be attacking...
@Dalton - Yes. Targ is not adjacent to Dalton, and despite being large does not have reach.
The halfling looks the most savage, but the strix is most likely the most deadly of the three. The human looks about as dangerous as a well trained puppy.
Absolutely, and from now on it's a requirement for that primal event.
@Gabriel - Ah, I didn't read your gameplay post yet. Well done, let me get to responding to that.
Maybe this will buy us enough time for our Heff summon attack to go off.
Were Break to be cast on the a slave's bindings, would Dalton assume they to be free to move?
Ooh, nice Dalton. Yes, a break spell would do that job nicely.
Non-magical, unattended items do not get saving throws. Since the prisoners won't resist being set free that means there will be no check made, they will simply automatically break.
It was more a question of size; the spell wouldn't work if they were chains meant to hold a dragon, for example.
Oh, yes they're exactly what you would expect when you hear "chains". Something you might have out in your garage. Your break spell is certainly within it's size limits to destroy one set of chains.
Oh my god, he lost his weapon. I... can't believe it.
I have a question. Did that attack constitute the round that Gabe was bound? If Gabe held his action, could he attack at the top of the round next turn?
Talking is a free action (despite whatever the volume may be :P). Yes go ahead and attack twice.
Yeah, that's a sweet ass weapon too. Wait until you learn what it is.
Oh dear Dalton, that is an incredibly hard concentration DC.
Oh dear Dalton, that is an incredibly hard concentration DC.
No, it's not. Dalton intentionally failed the first check to cause entropy. The modifying check is only 18 (CR = 15 + level of spell used (in this case, haste = 3))
Also, to those affected: "Heal enables you to channel positive energy into a creature to wipe away injury and afflictions. It immediately ends any and all of the following adverse conditions affecting the target: ability damage, blinded, confused, dazed, dazzled, deafened, diseased, exhausted, fatigued, feebleminded, insanity, nauseated, poisoned, sickened, and stunned. It also cures 10 hit points of damage per level of the caster, to a maximum of 150 points at 15th level."
Hopefully Bjorkus gets a bit of his spunk back now?
Oh my god... Gabe is going to lose his sword...
Second time you've crit with a smite. If I were you I'd pick up a keen weapon.
I'm going to take that as a joke rather then an actual suggestion considering Gabe hasn't ever had the choice of magical weapons...
XD But in all seriousness, that was AWESOME! I can't believe that worked!
Oh dear god I just read Dalton's edits. Dear. God. That is hilarious and marvelous and the most brilliant thing...I'm at a loss for words. Between Dalton and Gabriel you just completely turned the fight and the rest of the situation on it's head. I have to get some rest (it's LONG past my bedtime, my Dad is waking up right now), but in the morning I'll get a massive post written up.
Dear god, best level 5 healer ever. That even completely gets rid of the effects of the poison and the mental instability Bjorkus has been dealing with. What a time to have the dice gods be in your favor.
I'm glad you guys were able to turn that around.
Now I need to construct another reason for Bjorkus to not give up.
Originally, I was crossing my fingers for the magic jar or harm version, but this works too. Hopefully the positive effects on the slaves leave them positively disposed towards us.
Regarding Bjorkus's morale, possibly excepting Gabriel, I don't think that was a glorious battle for any of us. Dalton is actually more concerned about his knowledge of the arcane - or lack thereof - after that stunt, and I know being unconscious isn't the most fun thing. Better than dead though, I think.
Now, if Targ bites the bullet, I don't know which I'm looking forward to most:
1. The *Bambi eyes at GM* level we will get.
2. The *Bambi eyes at GM* goodies we will get.
3. The *shady eyes at GM* reaction Heff will have.
4. The *loopy grin* next time Dalton uses that ability and does roll a 27 - 32.
Today, I have professional development, so while I will be able to access the site, it may be spotty during the AM in EST. Dalton will offer Bjorkus an apology for him having to go through this whole affair and suggest/agree the uprising begin immediately in earnest.
Actually Dalton, the way I understand it you raised the CR of the primal magic event which means it manifests at a 7 CL and actually heals 70 HP (actually important for Bjorkus considering his massive HP pool). That should put everybody at perfect fighting shape with the exception of Bjorkus, who is currently at 55 hp.
1) Yeah...yeah. He was a level 8 barbarian who I built like a f@&&ing monster. Everybody is now level 6.
2) Will be covered in gameplay momentarily. He's got some real nice stuff.
3) Hehehehe.
4) Hey now, that was completely by RAW. You could have just as easily got the harm version and caused a TPK. It's a dangerous ability.
You do not have time to identify the magic items right now, so you're not currently aware of their function. However, when you have time this is what you find on Targ.
+1 Furious Chthonic Steel Bastard Sword (large size) (8285gp) (12 lb.)
Belt of Giant Strength +2 (4000gp) (1 lb.)
Headband of Havoc (8000gp) (1 lb.)
Bonebreaker Gauntlets (6000gp) (2 lb.)
Shawl of Life Keeping (1000gp) (1 lb.)
Pale Green Prism (Cracked, attack rolls) (4000gp)
Masterwork dagger (large size) (302gp) (2 lb.)
Dalton will identify the items nigh immediately, pending there are no visitors or emergency reactions from the slaves; this isn't because he's feeling particularly covetous at the moment, but rather he is looking for some sign of Acera's influence.
Also, I think the actual cr was 5. 3 from the spell level used, then 2 more from the successful concentration check.
If she fails this check, she expends the spell normally as if she had cast it, but its actual effects are replaced by a primal magic event with a CR equal to her caster level...
Unless I'm missing something, I believe it begins at your CL, which is 5 at the moment (although now it's 6).
Oh P.S. don't level up right now. Wait until you get to a safe resting place.
Don't worry Bjorkus, there's plenty of other big baddies in the area to kill. Acera for one, still Raul to get rid of, that puppet witch if you run into it again, that mysterious figure who is Targ's left hand. Although you guys have certainly kicked the revolt forward with Targ's death.
Is nobody concerned about what just happened to Dalton? :P
I assume you meant Toramin and Gabe in that last post?
Bjorkus is too busy having the last bits of his pride broken to notice Dalton's touch of divinity.
I was on death's door! Having visions!
It manifested long enough for you to see after you woke up. Sorry, I should have specified that.
Did the torturer have any loot?
Ah right. Torturer stuff. He has a lot of scrolls on him, he's a busy man. Also I forgot that Targ has a steel symbol of Gorum around his neck worth 1gp.
+1 Morningstar (2308gp) (6 lb.)
Masterwork Dagger (302gp) (1 lb.)
Silver symbol of Zon-Kuthon (25gp)
Scroll of Curse Water (50gp)
Scroll of Protection from Good (25gp)
Scroll of Restore Corpse (25gp)
Scroll of Admonishing Ray (150gp)
Scroll of Deathwine x2 (150gp each)
Scroll of Gentle Repose (150gp)
Scroll of Silence (150gp)
Scroll of Status x3 (150gp each)
Now the question is, will the party make use of or sell off the more evil inclined scrolls?
On the plus side, I've decided that Bjorkus no longer blames the party for his failed attempt at revolution and capture/torture.
Updated the NPC registry.
So does this mean Gabe technically Talked Targ to death? Or that he killed him with Diplomacy?
The sword helped, I'm sure.
At least the fight (and discussion thread) was exciting to read. Was Rilka purposefully left off the initiative list or was it an accident? Since Targ’s AC was beyond Rilka’s abilities to hit, I guess it doesn’t matter in terms of combat, but she would have tried to free the two chained people, at least. That might have mattered.
I understand I’m the slowest player when it comes to posting. Sometimes I’m playing catch-up. Normally I don’t mind. Hopefully you don’t either. Getting caught up in the moment is easy whenever a few people are posting at the same time. More so when a climatic fight is happening.
Missing out on this fight sucked. Nothing can be done about it at this point. Nonetheless, I just wanted everyone to know how I felt about it.
In the future, DMPC Rilka as needed, if I'm absent during a frenzy of posting. I don't mind that.
Maybe! But Gabe would be a big mess on the floor, wall and ceiling if it weren't for that fumble from Targ. I'm still bloody reeling about that!
When is it appropriate to talk about the loot, by the way?
Gabe's grabbing the morning star for now but its definitely not something he'll be using long. Just until he can find another sword. XD
Most of Targ's loot looks like its for a barbarian, but that cracked Prism looks quite nice. Does anyone else want it? (I like accuracy. XD)
I'm sorry Rilka. I didn't remember you were with us in the torture room or I would have said something. You definitely could have helped since Targ's AC was hittable by anyone. Or freed somebody.