Jade Regent
Game Master Will Cooper

Surprise Round
Here they come...let's see how well they hold.
Initiative 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Marduzi charges the pack of goblins on Smoke, leveling his lance to skewer the lead goblin.
Attack (Lance, Charge, Higher Ground, Power Attack) 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 22 May take -4 for squeeze past Malcolm depending what he does.
Damage (Lance, Charge, Power Attack) 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1d8 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 3 + (7) + 7 + 3 = 35

Jordan watches his first force missile fired in anger impact for minimum damage and is eager to go again.
Init 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

This group knows what it is doing. Save the more powerful spell for later, you will need them.

Initiative 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Rommin takes the fact of charging goblin's in stride, taking an almost casual effort at releasing an arrow at an uninjured goblin.

To hit 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Damage 1d8 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Righty-ho. Looks like the goblins go first.

The four goblins continue their headlong dash towards your group. The two in the lead barely slow as they pile into Marduzi and Malcolm, indeed one of them tries to scramble straight through Smoke's legs.

Acrobatics rolls to move through occupied squares: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12, 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

One bangs his head into Smoke's knee, and stops, stunned. Taking Marduzi's attack roll as an AOO Marduzi's instinctive attack with his lance spears the goblin straight through the chest, killing it instantly.

The other goblin dodges straight past Malcolm, and starts trying to scale Halvor like he's a mountain. Up close, the rage looks more like terror, but either way it tries to stick it's knife in Halvor's thigh on the way up. Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6, damage 1d4 ⇒ 3

The following pair of goblins see no way through, and pile straight into Marduzi and Malcolm, ignoring the corpse of their companion, raw desperation in their eyes.

Attack on Marduzi: Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10, damage 1d4 ⇒ 1
Attack on Malcolm: Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17, damage 1d4 ⇒ 4
Think that hits Malcolm?

Jordan's force bolt hammers into the goblin climbing up Halvor, making it squeal in pain. Rommin's arrow goes astray. Ruhk makes it to the middle of the group, level with Kelistra and Jordan.

Finally, I need an attack roll from Iralynash for the readied action, and Marduzi can make an attack. Once those are resolved we can move on to the first full round.

Yep, AC 17.

Jordan reacts quickly to the goblin onslaught and fires another bolt of force.

"Anxious little terrors aren't they? Get 'em Smoke!" He spins and pokes his lance at one of the goblins piled up by Smoke's hooves. Unfortunately, the goblins are milling around much too quickly and he nearly puts the lance through Smoke instead.
Attack (Lance, Higher Ground, Power Attack) 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 - 1 = 9
Damage (Lance, Charge, Power Attack) 1d8 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 3 = 11

Smoke lashes out, kicking and biting at one of the goblins by his feet. One of Smoke's hooves connects, showing why goblins are so fearful of horses.
Attack (Bite) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Damage (Bite) 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Attack (Hooves 1) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Damage (Hooves 1) 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Attack (Hooves 2) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage (Hooves 2) 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Iralynash impale the first goblin to arrive at his reach.
Surprise round attack
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
2d12 + 6 ⇒ (2, 9) + 6 = 17
He quickly swings free his polearm going for the next avaible target.Filthy things.
First round attack
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
1d12 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Round 1, AC: 17, HP: 10/14, no conditions

Malcolm swings his Bastard Sword at the goblin that attacked him.

BS ATT: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
BS DAM: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Halvor will attack the one on top of him, or if the magic missile took care of it, will attack the nearest one

Unarmed Attack 1d20 ⇒ 12
Damage 1d4 ⇒ 3

Greedy...and quick! I doubt there will be any left for me.

I'm not clear if the "goblins go first" post refers to taking their actions from the Surprise Round or is for the First Round. If that was their Surprise Round action, the following will happen after their first round action. I just don't want everyone waiting on me if it was supposed to be their first round.

Just like target practice, Kelistra thinks as she knocks her arrow. Then she sees the goblin hit Malcom. No, that doesn't happen at target practice. She draws the bow, aims at Malcom's assailant, and releases the arrow.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 2 - 4 = 1 (-4 for shooting into melee) Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

"But that was totally like target practice," she says with a sigh.

I just realized I didn't roll init.
Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Enoch soars above the battle. Azmythe takes a defensive stance.
Full defense

OK, looks like some good rolls in the mix there. Let's work this one out.

Iranylash's readied attack with braced polearm messily disembowels one of the goblins. Smoke gets a good good blow in with his left fetlock, but the goblin remains on its feet.

End of surprise round. Start of first proper round.

The two remaining goblins hack wildly with their rusty blades, grimacing and gibbering. The sidestep into the swap, trying to get past the group, but only making it a paltry few feet down the party's line.

Attack on Marduzi 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19, damage 1d4 ⇒ 2
Attack on Halvor 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15, damage 1d4 ⇒ 4

Jordan's force bolt hammers into the same goblin that Smoke injured, and it collapses in death. Seconds later Iralynash carves bloody ruin down the torso of the last remaining goblin. It shrieks and huddles it's arms around the wound, dropping to the ground and looking up with pleading eyes. It is clearly close to death and trying to surrender.

Halvor and Malcolm miss with their attacks, and Kelistra's arrow strays wide.

Ahead, in the direction that the goblins appeared from, an indistict humanoid figure appears, carrying a dark child-sized bundle.

"I'll see to the goblin. You take care of whatever that is." Azmythe closes the distance between himself and the gobin. Without touching him, Azmythe assesses the goblin's wounds.

Turning to Ruhk, Kelistra says, "Don't worry, there will be more goblins for you in the village." She then notices the approaching figure. "If the mysterious stranger up ahead didn't get them all first."

Marduzi's eyes dart to the figure on the path ahead, "Hoy! Who goes there?"

Jordan looks to Malcolm "Check if that is evil quickly another silver says it is."

Here comes trouble...

Malcolm concentrates as much as he can on the advancing humanoid, and he calls upon the power of Abadar.

Light the way Abadar - is it evil?

I am a little confused on initiative order, and who is up. Can someone list the order, and say who is next?

I think we are out of combat for now, not sure. Who s in the front line?

Iralynash brace his poliarm again looking suspiciously at the stranger.

Perception check to see if I recognize anything about him.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Rommin nocks another arrow and watches the approach of the stranger.

Is it medium sized?

I think the initiative looks something like this. As I'm reading it, Ruhk, Marduzi, and Malcom still have Round 1 actions available. The order in Round 2 (assuming we're still in Initiative) will be: Iralynash, Jordan, Goblins, Malcolm, Kelistra, Ruhk, Azmythe, Marduzi, and Rommin. Of course Will can override any or all of that.

Good ninja, Rommin.

Good ninja, Rommin.

This is the Jade Regent AP; ninjas are to be expected! :)

I had it a smidge different, but may have missed something. Add Rommin and Halvor to those that have not acted in Round 1. But, I think we're out of combat until we figure out what's up with the stranger.

Surprise Round Iralynash (25, readies weapon, polearm attack), Jordan (20, force missile), Goblins (18, attack), Ruhk (14, moves forward), Marduzi (10, AoO+Lance/Bite), Rommin (5, fires arrow), Halvor (no Init, unarmed strike)

Round 1 Iralynash (25, polearm attack), Jordan (20, force bolt), Goblins (18, attack, surrender), Malcolm (18, sword attack), Kelistra (17, shoots arrow), Ruhk (14), Azmythe (13, full defense, speaks to goblin), Marduzi (10), Rommin (5), Halvor (no Init)

You're right, Marduzi. Rommin didn't act in Round 1 yet. I even had Rommin as not acting on the silly spreadsheet.

Round 1, Rommin will delay, unsure of what to make of the stranger.

Ruhk will continue to move forward, seeking to be in the front should the strange prove to be hostile as well as making an attack against any surviving goblins.
As he moves forward he allows Bethany to trail behind him, utilizing the full upper torso twist that proved so effective before, sending her edge slashing at his foe.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Sorry for the brief absence. Note to self, don't buy all three hunger games books when there's other stuff to do. Still, they're finished now! We're still in combat rounds. I'll resolve the actions above and advance things tonight. Sorry again!

OK brief situation recap. You're arranged in a rough line on the swamp trail, two abreast. First line is Marduzi and Malcolm, second line is Iranylash ans Halvor, third is Kelistra and Jordan, at the back is Rommin and Azmythe and Ruhk. There is one remaining goblin alive, barely. Azmythe moved up the line meaning to talk to, perhaps heal, the goblin. Ruhk had already moved halfway up the line and was looking to finish the goblin off. Ahead on the track is an indistinct humanoid of medium size carrying a small bundle.

Ruhk, in no mood for mercy, reaches the stricken goblin where it lies cowering. His blade makes no mistake, and the goblin is dead before Azmythe reaches it.

Malcolm gets a strong feeling of evil from the advancing stranger. This provides only a brief advance warning for him over the rest of you, as the figure gets close enough to see clearly. The hairless humanoid lurches on back-bent, dog-like legs, its hideous fanged mouth flanked by tiny arms with three-fingered hands. In its talons it holds the remains of a fifth goblin, and it licks and gnaws on the stump of a severed limb. It has pulled apart and devoured the goblin, and was evidently chasing down the other goblins when you interrupted.

It stalks towards you on its unnatural legs, relishing its blood-soaked meal, and utters a horrible barking laugh. Shockingly you hear the sound repeated, to either side of you, close.

Knowledge of dungeoneering or of arcana might help identify the creature(s).

Are we still in initiative, or can I charge the evil foe?

Kelistra watches the hideous creatures' approach. I think I've heard of these in one of Sandru's stories, maybe...

Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

"Oh, yes. The infamous swamp dwelling gobchompers... Actually, I'm just making that up."

Know Arcana/Dungeoneering/Religon [yes, Jordan is a bookworm] 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 181d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 191d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Jordan compares the creature to those of his studies.

I am sure glad I had access to the family library.

"I have no idea what it is, but hopefully, my lance does as well against it as the goblins. Let's go Smoke." Marduzi kicks his heels against Smoke, urging the horse forward against the creature.
Attack (Lance, Charge, Higher Ground, Power Attack) 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 28
Confirm (Lance, Charge, Higher Ground, Power Attack) 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 10
Damage (Lance, Charge, Power Attack) 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1d8 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 3 + (1) + 7 + 3 = 24
Extra Damage if Confirmed (Lance, Charge, Power Attack) 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 1d8 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 3 + (7) + 7 + 3 = 32

Ruhk does not look back to see the anger flash across Azmythe's face. It is there for only two or three heartbeats before Azmythe turns his attention to the newcomer.
Know (Arcana) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

"I don't know what that is, but it looks even less friendly than its table manners would suggest." Ruhk quips.

Rather than go towards the obvious foe, Ruhk instead attempts to position himself in the path of one of the two hidden enemies should they reveal themselves.

Ready an attack Vs Approach.

Well, that sort of answers my question ...Marduzi snaked me. Let us know about initiative, eh, GM?

If the one right in front of me is not obliterated by Marduzi's attack, then I will also charge it. If it is, then I too will ready an action to charge the nearest evil creature to make itself known.

Round ???, AC: 15, HP: 10/14, Charging

Malcolm raises his Bastard Sword high over his head as he rushes heaqdlong into combat.

BS ATT: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11
BS DAM: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Heh, if we're still in the same initiative, you'll go first, but I like my chances of hitting better :)

Absolutely!

I am a little lost here. Whos turn it is? Do we see the creatures companions? Can i try a perception to spot them?

One other question: When the GM says something like this:

Knowledge of dungeoneering or of arcana might help identify the creature(s).

And you have more than one of those skills, does that mean roll for one or roll for all of them?

@Kelistra IMHO you roll all the skills asked for and some YOU might think relevant. In a PbP, giving more information can speed things up as extraneous information can be ignored. If you notice, I added a religion Knowledge check too -- it might help.

Jordan is waiting for another injured creature to put down with his bolts of force.

I'll post in the discussion thread with some thoughts on how we can keep fights flowing and comprehensible. I think this will be a learning journey for all of us and especially me; for now I'll just beg your patience.

@Malcolm, we're still in combat and technically on initiative rounds, but I am happy for you to declare a charge target and roll attack. If the situation changes before your turn then I will usually adapt it to a sensible attack - as with Marduzi when the goblins appeared and won initiative.

@Iralynash, don't worry too much about posting actions in the right order between players, just tell me what you'd like to accomplish and give me any rolls you think are relevant. There were chances to notice the flanking beasts earlier, albeit at high perception rolls.

@Kelistra, yes Jordan is right, if you have multiple applicable skills then roll them all.

Action!

Marduzi spurs Smoke forwards towards the foul unnatural creature, a heartbeat ahead of Malcolm. Marduzi's lance finds vile flesh, while Malcolm's swing hits naught but air. The creature barks a sound of half rage and half pure unholy light as its flesh is rent and torn. Wounded but not to death, it claws and bites at Marduzi, dropping the remains of its goblin meal.

Attack on Marduzi:
Claw 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16, 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5.
Claw 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4, 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4.
Bite 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6, 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2.

As Marduzi and Malcolm charge, so do two more of the monsters, one from each side where they were hidden, towards the rear of the party. Rommin and Azmythe are their targets, now that Ruhk has moved to the front of the group.

Attack on Rommin:
Bite 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 2 = 22, 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6.

Attack on Azmythe:
Bite 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9, 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6.

Everyone but Marduzi and Malcolm now take a turn. Not quite right by the rules but close enough I hope. I'll deal with the knowledge rolls in a moment.

Seeing the beasts attack Rommin and Azmythe, Kelistra thinks, Time to show the guys why they brought me along. She starts singing:

Up ahead rides Marduzi on Smoke,
Mar says he's the boss, but we know that's a joke,
A horse with a face that looked like Mar's
Would join the Chelish Army!

Bardic Performance: Inspire Courage. Everyone gets a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. 7 rounds of Bardic Performance remaining.

Finally seeming the enemies he felt lurking earlier the elf reverse the direction of his attack and goes to defend the party's rear. But in his haste his first swing goes wild missing its mark.
Move and attack Azmythe's beast
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
1d12 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Damnit...I should have stayed in the rear!

Ruhk will quickly turn around and start heading towards the monsters in the rear.

running if needed, charge if possible.
possible charge: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Kelistra's song puts fire in your hearts, as Ruhk dashes back to aid his friends, and Azmythe swings wide. Ruhk stumbles slightly in the press of bodies, and his attack, like Azmythe's, fails to draw blood. Ichor. Whatever these things have.

Marduzi tilts his head at Kelista's song. Hey! She's singing about me! Wow! Let's get them!

Not nice :) But, Marduzi's not the brightest bulb in the bunch.

Halvor will cast Bless on the party (+1 to hit, +1 to saves vs fear)

Enoch caws angrily at the enemies.
Azmythe back peddles and casts a spell of slumber (sleep dc 15) upon his enemy.