Divine Favor is +3 for you due to Fate's Favored.
I still don't think it makes sense that you can't CDG in a surprise round. CT said we'll play it by ear, which I'm not sure what means.
Haste would definitely be good and long arm surely would not hurt since the major foes will have equal or longer reach.
I play assuming we are using the rules as are. IF he decides different then we will see. While Goliath doesn't mind the gurilla warfare or tactics his honor still will not let him murder even an evil being. He prefers to fight them. Don't worry though he does not judge the rest of you. I'm well aware of how DF works and it is only +2 it is +1 per 3 caster levels. You don't round up unless specifically told too. +1 1-5, +2 6-8, +3 at 9. FF obviously adding +1 so +2 in my situation.
Oh, somehow I was reading that it is +1 with +1 extra for every three caster levels. Sorry about that...
No worries. It is good. Eventually will switch out for divine power.
I have a map drawn for the fight and ready to go!
Kiki's stealth report is up.
Given the small size of the group I think casting spells like haste/divine favor in combat will be unecesarry. It should be over in a few rounds. Of course I could be wastly underestimate the orc/orclike creatures, but I think the fire giant is still the biggest threat.
Xanya's damage has increased quite a bit compared to last level so hopefully she'll be able to take out the fire giant on her own. +9 from PA, +1d6 from sneak, +6 from bull's strength and +24 from combat stamina(spirited charge combat trick) as well as Cryxial getting an extra attack. Could also add smite for an extra +3, but it might be better to use that against someone else. Of course it's probably still worth it for someone else to be ready in case that damage proves insufficient. Do we get a swift action in the surprise round?
@CT: How many rounds away from the camp are we? How close to the camp is it safe to cast spells? Maybe it is possible to cast a short duration spell like divine favor while invisible right before moving close enough?
My suggestion for extract usage is: Long Arm: Goliath/Quassine, Shield: Kiki/Cryxial/Xanya and I'll use the last 1st level summoner spell on protection from evil on Xanya (though it might be more needed on Kik, opinions on that?).
@CT: If Simon doesn't respond, do you think it would be OK to have him cast Bull's Strength on Xanya and Mage Armor on Cryxial?
I think you only get a swift when you have a full round, though I don't think there is a rule about getting one in a surprise. It is up to CT I think. Don't forget level 4 so your PA went to +6 so +18 on charge not 9.
Also you are using the lance 2 handed so Bulls strength will take you from a +13 t0 +16 so +9 more on a charge not 6. You probably won't need to smite I assume you will hit and it's only 3 more damage. What is the IC on your sheet? I mean what does that stand for? Am I brain farting on something?
So looks like your damage will be 3d6+54str+18PA+24Stamina+2d6 sneak
Average Damage will be 113 ish So he is not having a good day.
If Simon has haste then yes I would say cast it, but if you kill the giant you should just charge another creature.
Though it looks like we lost Simon. I don't remember ever having more time then I did in college. If you can't post it's because you don't want to. Your on a computer all the time for doing work and even taking 18 hours Is 3 classes a day, maybe 4 and 2 depending on how you did your schedule.
I meant increased by +9 for PA, but you are correct about Bull's Strength, I forgot the two hand bonus. IC is inspire courage, though if Simon dissapears this might be the last fight with that.
Ah on both accounts. :) Yeah I assume him gone. We will see.
Answers to questions:
You are about 200 yards from their camp, downwind (southeast of them). A large hill and one smaller one block the way. The terrain is rugged, but Kiki reports that the ground near their camp at least is level enough and obstacle free enough for a charge. They appeared to have gathered most of the wood and kindling for the fire. The area has some trees, but is not considered forested or wooded. It would be just open hills, it just hapens that they camped under an area with the trees. There is scarce terrain to hide with on the way there (invis will help).
Casting spells close to the camp is a toss up. It all depends if the enemies hear you. Spells with verbal components require 'a strong voice'. So imagine how far you can hear someone talking at night outside. You could cast short duration spells, sure, but you may waste a round or two of movement, and multiple short duration spells cast in succession rapidly wear away as they start burning as you cast the others.
Simon can do buff spells and the like. I will try to DMPC him, and do minor things, but if he doesn't appear to post for the battle I can't in good conscious award him full XP and might have to sideline him.
Oh, also I am pretty sure you can use a swift action in a surprise round. You can only take one swift per turn sequence (immediate actions count as swift).
So we are 600 feet away, correct?
You say "casting spells this close", do you mean as close as we are now, or even closer? If so we should probably go back a tiny bit before we cast spells eh?
Due to the hell hounds patrolling we should hurry to engage once we decide to move.
Us being downwind of them means we'll smell them but not the other way around right? How would Xanya's Scent (due to beastmorph/mutagen) work? As long as she's on the correct side on the wind does she get to ignore people hiding or what? Perception check?
It would be nice if someone could sneak in to CDG the giant, but a) we might be sniffed out and b) I'm not sure we even can CDG in a surprise round.
@CT: can we pick the following feat from the psionic beastiary (from Dreamscarred Press). There is no psionics required to use it, so I think it should be fine (for Kiki in a few levels). That would help against scent.:
Lurker in Darkness
Your training allows you to foil even magical and unusual senses.
Prerequisites: Stealth 6 ranks.
Benefit: Creatures using unusual forms of sensory perception such as blindsight, greensight, or tremorsense cannot automatically foil your use of Stealth; such creatures must make a Perception check as normal to detect you when you make use of the Stealth skill. This feat foils indirect detection (such as a creature using detect magic to search for your magical items while you are using Stealth) in the manner described above, but has no effect on psi-like abilities, powers, spells, spell-like abilities, and/or supernatural abilities specifically used to uncover information about you rather than enhancing the user’s perception, such as the augury spell.
About spells from Simon, I see that he too have protection from Evil. My suggestion is that he casts mage armor on himself and Cryxial then protection from evil on Himself/Kiki/Quassine and then shield on himself before finally Bull's Strength on Xanya.
Yeah casting is DC 0 to be heard, but it is still modified for range and at 600 feat away it becomes a DC 60 I think we are good on casting here.
We are only downwind until we pass the perimeter of the hounds. So now they only smell us out to 15' once the wind shifts or we pass them and become upwind they will smell us within 60'
At least to where ever the wind is blowing and how much area our scent will be blown to but there is one more other thing. Every time we step, we will drop scent markers so regardless of the wind, we are going to be noticed eventually by the hounds if we do not move quickly.
Where does 15 and 60 come from? The rules for smell are kinda relevant for Xanya too as mentioned.
Q got you covered. Universal monster rules for Scent. I still say we just run in there hit'em hard and fast and see where the chips fall.
I second that!
And Hell Hounds do have scent just like any other canine just in case they are not. Q is just assuming since we already saw evidence.
So how about the following:
We move close enough for Xanya to smell them (60 ft downwind), then right after a hellhound have passed we rush in before the next patrolling dog can get to the same spot. We should have at least 1-2 rounds, but likely much more. Scent, invisibility and wind direction makes it possible to find and use a gap in their patrols.
Practically I'm thinking holding hands is probably better than using Message to talk, but honestly either could work at the kind of distances we are talking about...
@CT: Anything you want to point out that doesn't actually work about the above?
If kiki has spells slots open then firebelly, resist energy, cat's grace and barkskin would all be decent options for prebuffing. Is it correct that she have one of each level? If so I would probably suggest firebelly and cat's grace.
@Quassine: Both you and Kiki have evasion right? The rest of us at least have good reflex saves. I don't think the breath weapon will be a huge problem.
I haven't updated my spell selection since last battle, so if CT allows, fireballs would be an option
Which spell Kiki, fireball is a level 3 Sorcerer/Wizard/Arcanist spell which is gained at 5th and 6th levels? Did you mean firebelly?
@Xanya, yes I do have evasion and I guess at this level, it is pretty good other than straight out immunity.
@Quassine: Yes, stupid auto correct
I just found this spell and realized we could have been using Nature's Paths which could have increased our progress dramatically... Well, at least we know of it now.
@CT: Anything you want to point out that doesn't actually work about the above?
I mentioned a comment in the gameplay thread, that also addresses a question that Quassine had as well.
Thanks. What about Kiki's question? Can she chose now what spells she prepared?
Yes that is fine. Everyone knew a combat was going to be coming, so it makes sense to have some battle spells prepped.
Given that, Kiki: I think Cat's Grace would be great for both you and Quassine and maybe ironskin for yourself in addition? Alternatively you could drop one (or more) of them for some other offensive options like summon swarm.
Kiki's spells:
Lvl1: firebelly, longstride, entangle , snowball
Lvl2: cats grace, ironskin , stone discuss
Still open for suggestions (shaping stone discuss for a cat's grace if Quashing wants )
Yes please, I'll take Cat's Grace for +2 to Hit, Damage, AC, REF Svs, Skills, and etc ... :-)
Everyone should update their profile with all the active buffs and calculate their new stats based on them to make it easier for CT.
I prefer CT say you are close enough to buff but not get discovered. This way, we can get the most use out of our spells. Some spells only last minutes or less.
I prefer CT say you are close enough to buff but not get discovered. This way, we can get the most use out of our spells. Some spells only last minutes or less.
As mentioned by Goliath the DC to hear us is now roughly 60. we decide what risk we want to take in that regard.
After reflecting over that I don't think we'll be able to use any spells lasting a minute or less. What spells were you referring to quassine? I'm pretty sure all the spells I put in my list last at least 4 minutes each.
Looks like the only spell is haste that last rounds.
However, I am sure we can cast spells and prepare a minute out without them hearing us or smelling us. Is that acceptable CT, a minute from the enemy camp to prepare?
A minute away is 800' so you certainly won't be smelled. (double move, 10 rounds, at 40' pace, could be even further if you decided to run but of course higher speeds reduces stealth.) As far as being heard, by RAW a perception check adds +1 to the DC for every 10' which is laughably ridiculous, meaning your average person is effectively incapable of hearing or seeing anything beyond a few hundred feet. Oh Pathfinder, how silly of you.
Even though you are speaking in a firm voice, I will say your casting won't be heard at such a distance.
Kiki scratched out a rough map in the dirt and described the camp. I'll get the map up today yet I hope. Dealing with some crises at work here and the other IT guy is out sick.
Since some of us are already casting, can we say we are a minute out?
Roger for the work issue.
I agree on the rules for perception they are a bit ridiculous :)
Its late, but working on getting today's posts in. I skipped my workout to do it heh.
So, if Simon doesn't pop up again, what are we doing? Just continuing with 4? Simon was really complementing the rest of the party well. His buffs and utility will be missed. It seems like a bit late to bring in someone from level 1... But letting someone build from level 5 feels a bit weird as well...
If it is someone that can keep up with the posting rate I'm fine with whatever.
Yes, well I will bot him for the battle, but after that he will probably join the fey people or something. I will work on a replacement as I do with most tables as they dwindle. The replacement may not be immediate however I will do what I can. Table 7 is down to 3 players but is a few levels lower, and geographically not near. Other tables have survived with 4 players for a bit, so it should be doable, though I understand the dynamics it affects.
Did you want us to move in from where we are?
Just give me arrows of your anticipated path. You can move your token, but i need the paths taken so use the little line or arrow symbol feature. Also do something like: Round 0 Goliath moves 80 north (drawing line on map), Round 1 Goliath bangs a loud gong, Round 2 Goliath moves 40' west and eats some cheese etc.
Can Xanya have castes a bunch of message cantrips on us before going in?
Yes, you declared that earlier and it lasts a good long time. I think each person can only be the subject of one message spell though. You can't stack like 10 messages up to carry on a conversation. It is just one per person (plus the reply).
If the plan is to circle around to the north then it's probably better for Goliath to wait with trying to draw the hounds away until after Xanya have gotten in position. Though circling around isn't really possible given the map anyway. Can we assume that happened?
Does Xanya need line of sight to cast haste? It doesn't break Invisibility so would be kinda nice to cast first. If we all held hands could she do it? Obviously they would hear it, but they still wouldn't see us. I guess it might be a bit late for that now though...
That's not the plan and there is no way to really coordinated that invisible. He allowed you the time to move. A single round for you to move strait up. When he acts and gives away his position it should draw them south freeing a direct charge lane toward the giant. Now it may be awake and walking around the fire itself but you take what you can get.
Let Simon cast haste. I believe it does need line of effect. He could do it after we all become visible.
Sneaking around to the north would be difficult, if we are downwind now we would be upwind then.
But I agree on the idea of Goliath being the distraction for our attack.
Should I use entangle at the start of battle? They are helpless now, so they would fail the reflex save automatically .