Mended Wall's PBP for beginners (Inactive)

Game Master Hoary and Wizened

Not liking seeing his friend Kairon burning up like this, Dolok will again cast his anti-fire spell, but this time focused on Kairon.

Drench, cast on Kairon.

Just as the flames are near to spreading and taking hold of the Sarenite priest, in body and mind, Dolok's burst of water quenches the blaze. Yet the healer pays no notice, it seems, as he turns back to the rocky passage with purpose. As he strides toward the cluster of bombardiers, charred tunic and trousers trailing steam that wraps his frame in mist, the lurid glow from Kairon's eyes persists, casting an ugly, ruddy light to accent the magical torchlight. His heavy footsteps crunch and grind into the fallen form of the lead bombardier, and he raises his hand toward the three -- a vision of terrible retribution.

His friends, just yards away, hear a thing in Kairon's voice . . . but darker, harsher than ever before. It could not be him, but it is.

For the record: I wanted to do this in the Black Speech of Mordor, or *maybe* Dothraki or Klingon, but it would totally break precedent and protocol. Google translate it is!

Narren! Du weißt nichts von Feuer. Lass mich dir zeigen.

Fire of his own lashes out to cover the trio, sharing the pain, and more beside.

What the Hells just happened? (Burning Hands): 3d4 ⇒ (3, 2, 4) = 9
Reflex DC 13 for half

Token assist, please, to the square adjacent to the nearest bombardier. Move, cast, wait for Mended. :)

And thanks again, Dolok, for setting that up! We did finally get an AoE on them!

Kobold Group 2 (Red, Dashed Blue), Choker, Kobold Bombardiers (Green, Cyan, Crimson, Orange).

Reflex Save Cyan Kobold Bombardier: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 - 1 = 8
Reflex Save Crimson Kobold Bombardier: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 - 1 = 12
Reflex Save Orange Kobold Bombardier: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 - 1 = 24
Reflex Save Orange Eagle: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 25

Dolok usually the one to evoke fire, this time proves to be fire's foe, and drenches his friend Kairon in a dump of water so quick and thorough it not only puts out his flames but also dilutes and spreads the lamp oil on the ground near him. :D Because good for you Dolok, that was very selfless, and helpful!

Kairon's gout of magical flame engulfs all three of the remaining bombardiers and he exults in the shrieking howls of all three as their robes and scaly hide burn triumphantly, though, the kobold furthest from him (orange) is able to avoid the brunt of the flaming spray by quickly ducking behind his comrades. Unfortunately Kairon's magical flame also burns righteous hell out of one of Illiam's summoned eagles (orange).

The kobold in the southwestern corner of the room, tries feebly to lift his dead mount off of him, and in so doing depletes all his energy reserves and falls unconscious.

Seeing the kobold below him still struggling for life Skiirsh climbs down until his hands can reach the wretched scaly bastard (blue) and reaches out to squeeze the damned life out of him.

Claw/Tentacle 1: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18
Claw/Tentacle 2: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18
Claw Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5
Claw Damage 2: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6
Grab's Free Grapple attempt 1: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 = 16
Grab's Free Grapple attempt 2: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 = 21
Constrict Damage 1: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6
Constrict Damage 2: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

His hate-filled claws tighten so quickly and so forcefully around the neck of the hapless kobold that he literally squeezes the head right off the poor bastard. The scaly noggin' goes rolling down the passageway to the east. Everyone in the vicinity gets sprayed by a jet of arterial blood and hears a sickening pop and crunch as Skiirsh's claws rip through sinew, cartilage, and bone.

What happens next draws an unholy roar from Kairon's gullet the likes of which none of his party have ever heard, it is both deep, resonating off of the stone, and fearsomely unnatural, almost as if the priest of Sarenrae were channeling an alien creature.

Kairon watches the bombardiers, thoroughly outmatched, and having no close range weapons at all, turn tail and run. Withdraw action, double movement, but do not provoke AoOs. He quickly jabs his spear out to try and catch the back of the kobold nearest him but catches only air. As they swiftly depart. In his unearthly roar, Kairon calls out after them, "That's right RUN!!! RUN to Merlokrep and tell him the Hollow is coming for him! WE'RE COMING FOR YOU MERLOKREP FIRST AND LAST OF YOUR NAME!!!

It's only after calming down and regaining his composure that Kairon makes the realization that the fleeing kobolds might not understand common, and probably had no idea what he was yelling after them. He could have been yelling a recipe for pumpkin pie, for all they know... Oh well, such is the rage that battle brings about.

Edit: Kairon pointed this out to me in a PM, and I still have time to get it in this post.

Likewise after calming down, Kairon remembers that at the exact moment that his mouth was spouting a language both foreign to him, and beyond his ken, he felt a sudden powerful wash of weakness bust upon him and radiate out from him. Whatever boon Sarenrae had granted to him because of his previous prayer disappeared most suddenly, and left a temporary bit of quavering weakness in its wake.

Okay folks, it's all over but the coup de graces and the looting... So, we're out of initiative. Nice work everyone, that was one of the most fun combats I've ever run, even with all the elements I had to keep track of. Post at your lesiure. Realize, though, that the remaining kobold forces here in the warrens are, at this very moment, organizing themselves to defend the king. :)

Wow. You really do hate kobolds! Maybe more than I hate weasels and tiny vipers!

Yes, yes I do. :D

Can we chase them? My eagles have a fly speed of 80ft, which is enough to get in ahead of them and still attack. Also, a withdraw action only saves you from AoO for moving out of the square you start in, not other threatened squares you move through. I'd really like to catch the others by surprise if possible...

Dolok is willing to give chase if the party wants too. Otherwise he will cast Detect Magic and start looting the bodies. - And yes, Kairon has helped Dolok before and I seem to recall Dolok making a promise of having Kairon's back because Kairon had helped Master Figueroa feel much better so ... it only made sense for my character to do as he did.

I mean... yeah, of course you can give chase if you want, but if you do we're still going to operate in initiative, and the prayer boon is still gone either way. Also, you'll be heading "blindly" around corners into areas you have not explored before. The reality that you pop around a corner to a shield wall of kobold fighters is, at this point, highly likely... You guys let me know how you want to proceed here. Also, Illiam, I know about the Withdraw rules... :) When I said no AoOs I meant because the lead kobold was the only one moving out of a square considered threatened, and it was, IIRC, the only square anyone threatened. It's possible the eagles threatened the square after the first, I guess I wasn't paying that close of attention. If I missed that I apologize.

Not sure what the map looked like immediately before they moved. I believe I had two eagles over the first kobold and one over the second. If the one out front is the one who died, the one who was behind him probably still provoked an AoO on his second square of movement from one eagle. If the lead one survived, he probably provoked from two eagles.

I was also thinking ahead to when the eagles get ahead of them. With 80ft of flight and a direction to block their escape, the eagles can move just ahead of them, then drop down one square into range. This would give them one attack and put them in a position where the kobolds can't continue to withdraw in that direction without provoking again.

I wasn't planning on chasing them myself, but certainly send the eagles after them. Other party members should at least be able to get into range for ranged attacks...

We should set the eagles on them. The eagles will disappear and we will probably have to deal with the kobolds later. Besides, all kobolds must die!!

Surging ahead of the fleeing kobolds with their superior flight speed, the summoned eagles move to block their path, surrounding and attack one in front. Two in front of him, blocking his path, and once above the second in line to provide flanking.

Eagle Talon: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 241d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5
Eagle Talon: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 231d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5
Eagle Talon: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 231d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Passing the good deed forward, Kairon uses the rush of water from his orison to rinse Goruck free of the entangling slime, and then proceeds to finish off any slurks and kobolds still clinging to life with his spear.

Glory to Sarenrae! That was pretty dicey for a stretch, wasn't it? And still more to fight through! . . . . Work, work, work, he says, but with a smile on his face and relieved lightheartedness in his mien. There is no sign at all of the fury that overtook him but moments ago, not in his voice, the set of his eyes or shoulders, or in the way he pauses and looks north once more.

We're gonna get this done, friends! Think about it for a minute! The five of us -- well, I mean nine -- he amends as Skirrsh descends to the cavern floor and Gloria, Athena, and Gurtlekrep make their way out of the side room, . . . of us are going to take on an entire kobold tribe and rescue two prisoners! Seven kobolds, four 'slurks' dead; their bombardiers chased from the battle, and their . . . ummm . . . 'mounted warriors' dealt a harsh blow!

Kairon draws himself out of his reverie and goes back to securing the battlefield. Then he asks Dolok to check on his spear's condition, considering its near-immolation, and checks with the party if anyone has wounds or injuries that need tending.

Gonna 'pass priority' on giving chase/advancing into the warrens further -- I've stolen my 'spotlight time' for the present. :D

Illiam's summoned raptors heed his call and give flying chase to the fleeing bombardiers. From ahead in the tunnels the party hears the loud screeching cry of the eagles as they strike, followed by another howl of draconic pain. Unable to see around corners, though, Illiam has no idea the extent of the damage they caused. Time to give chase!

Okay so initiative-wise it's the entire party as one block, and the bombardiers as another block, until other combatants enter the fray. So post at your leisure, don't forget that you'll need light to maneuver through the hallways so Dolok will need to bring his Dancing Lights along.

Chillel turns back into the room she is in an calls Athena and the fenec to follow her and the others. She then adresses Gurtlekrep before setting off after her comrades and the fleeing kobolds, saying:-

Gurtlekrep, are you coming with us. If you don't come now we won't be able to protect you, and you may have throwns your lot in with us by now.

Just noticed that Illiam was still giving the eagles the extra +1 from the prayer blessing from before. Just so everyone is aware, that blessing is now gone no more +1 to basically everything. :D

Does anyone want to pursue, or should we just let the eagles continue to attack until they go away (one more round of attacks, plus any AoOs they're able to get this round and next)?

I say we let the eagles do their thing while we recover and prep to advance cautiously. Though we have plenty of reason to "rush", now that we've cleared this particular hurdle I am more inclined to move forward in as sure a way as possible. It is a break from my usual "Get 'em!" attitude, but we may need to have a brief war council in-character -- we need to be prepared to leverage every tool we have!

Yeah, I also want to take 15 minutes to prepare some spells in my open slots.

I tend to agree with the waiting plan, letting the eagles do whatever they manage, but just remember that the more we wait, the more time we give them to 'prepare and dig-in', so they could become more entrenched than they already are.

Fair enough, we wait. Illaim having access to spells is a big deal.

As Kairon pulls his spear free from the last slurk he confirmed dead, he tries to review their options. Speaking aloud, though almost to himself:

So, we've got wands of healing, summonin', and magic bolts, all runnin' pretty low. Couple of silver daggers, Dolok's crossbow, . . . , at this he leans over to pluck the small javelin off the floor and tucks it into his belt, and continues -- a li'l dart, quarterstaff, my spear, the Glintaxe, Goruck's blade, and a handful of other weapons. I've scarcely used any of Sarenrae's spells, and I can call upon her healing a fair bit more . . . . What do we need to do to be ready? 'Cause it's likely going to be harder from this point on . . . . He scans his compatriots' expressions, looking for any fresh input.

She was *with* us there for a while -- but now that . . . sureness is gone. What'd I do?

I can use my invisibility trick one more time today, but I need time to prepare it. With that, I can sneak in and get a lay of the land, maybe even nick a couple of things that will make it more difficult for them to put up a fight. Then, I can cause some havoc with this before I leave. Illiam holds up the wand of Summon Monster. The big problem will be seeing where I'm going if they don't have light sources in there already. Kairon, I'll probably need to borrow your light again, cast on something I can cover to keep from giving away my position. Question for Mended: Though it doesn't mention it in their entry, I assume that a fire elemental, being made of fire and all, would shed light, at least equivalent to a torch?

Illiam doesn't wait for a response before continuing. It sounded like other than the king's inner circle, most of the kobolds we'll meet from now on aren't as tough as those we just fought. This one... Illiam pulls out the wand of Sleep ...should be pretty effective against them. Illiam offers the Sleep wand to Chillel and Dolok. Maybe you can make use of it while I sneak in. They should be able to cast as a standard then hand it off as a move, allowing the wand to be used twice in one round, right? With a DC of 11 and a 4HD limit, that wand won't be useful much longer. Probably be lots of 1HD kobolds in the next area, so I say we make it count now.

"Fire elementals are quick, cruel creatures of living flame. Fire elementals vary in appearance—they usually manifest as coiling serpentine forms made of smoke and flame, but some fire elementals take on shapes more akin to humans, demons, or other monsters in order to increase the terror of their sudden appearance." Mmmmm, there's another reason I love this game. The idea of a flaming/smoking snake coalescing out of thin air in the middle of a small militia of kobolds is entirely too appealing. And, yes, to answer your question, I'd rule a small fire elemental sheds normal light to a 20' radius and dim light beyond that another 20' for a total light radius of 40'. :D

I don't know if I changed it when we leveled after clearing the crypt, or if it was a holdover from this morning's preparations, but my profile page actually indicates I don't have light prepped. I'll go back and check the opening of this last combat to see if I correctly remember indicating I used it on one of Kerrdremak's group, and if so, I'll swap spark for it.

EDIT: Yup, sure did. Making the change now.

I don't know the disposition of the bombardiers, but the eagles should have one more round of attacks. If they don't move, the eagles can full-attack. If they continue to flee, there should be two rounds worth of AoOs. Either way, that should come to 9 attacks total, so I'll just roll them all. Allocate them as appropriate to whatever's going on.

Eagle Talon: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 = 211d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Eagle Talon: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 = 201d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Eagle Bite: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 = 231d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Eagle Talon: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 2 = 161d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Eagle Talon: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 = 201d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Eagle Bite: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 141d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Eagle Talon: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 121d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Eagle Talon: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 = 231d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Eagle Bite: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 = 181d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Just for the ease of my own use, I took the amount of hit damage and distributed it in the most effective way, whether or not that's the way it would have actually been distributed is besides the point at this point. Since, however, Illiam can only hear, not see, what has happened with his summoned eagles, the group will have to discover that when they finally gird up their loins to leave the relative safety of the elevator room and move further into the warrens. That, btw, is what I happen to be waiting for. As of yet, there has been no in-game declared actions, I thinking, because everyone is still making sure they have everything square for a plan in the discussion thread. I'm fine with that, I just didn't want people to be waiting on me to post something, as what happens next is entirely up to you all... So, until I see something posted about the troops moving out, or a post that specifically needs my attention in discussion, you probably won't see a whole lot of posts from.

The sound of screeching eagles and the guttural agonizing screams of dragon-kin come resounding off the stoney walls of the northern corridor, sharp and loud, and then are heard no more. Whether the bombardiers made it to their allies will have to be discovered later. With no conceivable targets nearby the group watches as Skiirsh the choker disappears around the corner to the east, he waves a humble good-bye as his small form disappears into the darkness.

Whenever the rest of the group decides to depart this room, Dolok will cast Mage Armor on himself before leaving. (AC adjusted accordingly.)

Illiam prepares Invisibility for the next phase of his plan, plus a Vanish in case things go badly. He then casts Detect Magic and checks the corpses for anything useful.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Better give me a couple more of those healing potions before I go in. It might make the difference between getting Hollin and Tyran out of there alive or not. This assumes that he doesn't find any on the dead kobolds...

Illiam finds zero magical auras within this room or the adjacent one, except those emanating from the magical items adorning his allies.

Here. Take this one, and give it to the elf when the time comes. Kairon pulls the strong healing potion out of the backpack and passes it to Illiam.

Potion of cure moderate

I'd like to take two potions, one for each character to be rescued. Anyone else have one?

I don't. Already gave away my last one.

Leaning against one of the walls, the swordsman fishes a potion out of his bandolier, and hands it to Illiam. "I'm afraid that's all I have."

Potion of cure light wounds

Goruck, you should be at max HP after the channel Kairon dropped a few minutes ago in-game.

All right, then! Got that rock picked out, Illiam? I can light it up for you when you're ready.

Illiam thanks Goruck, then selects a stone small enough for him to easily conceal in one hand and holds it out to Kairon. This one will do.

Then once the spell is cast, Illiam says Let's go. and waits for Gouck to lead the way up the tunnel to the North.

φως, the priest murmurs, causing the pebble to glow. Use that whistle if you get in a bind; we'll get there. Sarenrae guide you, little man, when the time comes! I'll renew it before you make your run; it's ready if you gotta move out fast.

To be clear, Illiam does not intend to split off until the group is closer. Probably in or just outside area 29. We definitely need to figure out whether or not we want to take that route before he casts invisibility. I want to make sure we won't run into anything else between here and area 30 that could cause a delay that would result in the invisibility being wasted. That last comment sounded like you expected to wait here while Illiam does his invisible thing.

Post adjusted accordingly.

Let's get this show on the road. I've moved everyone up in the marching order I think we should use. I guess it's time for perception checks as we move into area 25?

Illiam scans with detect magic (just in case) as the group moves forward.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Dolok will cast that Mage Armor on Illiam as they prepare for this next phase. Since it was stated at some point - Game or Discussion? Not sure. - that Illiam did want that before separating himself from the group.

"OK guys, I have only a Web Bolt, a Snowball and a Frost Fall spell remaining. And my hexes of course. You can carry the sleep wand I think Dolok, I can put people to sleep anyway." Says Chillel as she readies herself to proceed to further hazards.

I have read the plans on the discussion thread and approve. Chillel asked Gurtlekrep if he was coming with the party some time back. If there was a response I missed it.

After bidding adieu to Gurtlekrep, who refuses to go any further in the tunnels, but instead promises, via his draconic interpreters, to stay right here and wait for them to come back, the group continues on with Dolok's dancing lights leading and following. After no more than a few paces, the party reaches a juncture in the tunnels. The passage west turns south just for a bit, and that is where the party sees several kobold bodies, one of them with a floppy, over-sized ear, and wearing red robes. Obviously Kerrdremak's bid to have a quick bloodless coup failed miserably, for here he lies, he and his warriors, all pierced through and dead. The cavern they lay in has, by appearances, five separate adjoining passageways, which perfectly matches up with Kerrdremak's hastily drawn map of the area. If his map is correct, the passage that continues north and east would lead directly to the slurk kennels. Listening intently, Chillel does think she can pick up the gurgling, mucus-filled breaths of some of the toad-like creatures coming from that direction. It did appear as though the fleeing bombardiers went that direction. Illiam's magical vision detects nothing, and first glimpses show nothing noteworthy so far as the eye can see. Now the choice must be made, west, or north and east?

That way next. Illiam says, indicating the north passage as he looks at the map. Looks like there are some stairs down then a fork. We'll want to check the left fork carefully before entering, because Kerrdremak seems to have indicated that there's something there, but he never said what. If it's safe, I'll go that way and you can wait there.

I can hear slurks down there,remarks Chillel indicating the passage to the left and I am all for going the other way. There has been enough mucus fired at us for at least one lifetime.

If the ceiling's low enough, we can handle 'em. Though I don't want to get frog-snot on me. Can you imagine trying to clean that gunk out of Gloria's fur?!

Because I don't want to hijack where people go, and the details matter at this point, please move your icons into room 27, or closer to it, as you see fit. I'll wait until everyone has their icons moved (including dancing lights) before narrating what you see when the chamber is bathed in enough light to see by.

Token assist to square immediately south of "7" on "27", please, with the understanding that Kairon moves toward the front as they draw nearer to "Snotsville". And because I can't help it (for some strange reason), go ahead and play Remy Zero's Smallville theme music in your minds as part of this brief "travel montage". "Save Me", indeed!

Uuummm, Kairon, has the group decided to move to 27? I believe both Chillel and I have talked about/asked/suggested going the other direction.