The Borderland (M&M): A Villager's Perspective (Inactive)

Game Master Rocan

Erm, repeating here. A GENERAL.....look at the picture, that guy must be over lvl 6, not to mention that huge battleaxe.

Should they be so brash as to attack the general and he does indeed fight back, Nathaniel would consider knocking down a friend or 2 with non-lethal.
It's better to drag one or 2 a mile than for all to outright die meaninglessly :P. This is the 1st (ok, only with a joke spell and a teasing bluff) time i would ever resort to friendly fire.

We fought a cyclops foolishly. Elenzar thinks this a far better fight in the risk reward calculator. He also doesn't think in levels. I do and I am thinking letting a general get away is a bad in and out of character.

As much as i'd normally agree with you, i'm saying this seems higher a CR to me than a cyclops. He said he armwrestles them and Taliesin feels his backslap as a sack of rocks. I'd figure a swing with a battleaxe would leave him with more trauma than that. Strong or deadly NPC are named and presented as such. But hey, go for it.....

I'll try to bargain us out if it has to come to it ^^. A paladin is to protect the innocent...it doesn't say what my methods have to be to ensure your survival.

So we can kill a level 10 character with the 6 of us :) sure he might / probably kill and or put characters in a coma but its doable. The risk vs reward is absolutely in our favor. Forfax gets his mount to duel the warhorse while we all wail on him... Taliesin did consider it for a moment but he dismissed it having been gently "yelled" at after the cyclops is he was going to be the only one to attack. Now Nathan could have also detect evil on him :) Taliesin is ready to Die if that means we can achieve something that will save life and tip the scale in our favor. And taking a Named War Leader most certainly qualifies for that. And we did about 90hp to that cyclops just under 2 rounds...

@Nathan: No wanting to push but we are the innocent here, they are trying to invade our land. How many civilians will die or worse if the breach Heartam? this guy chose this life and chose to lead on the goblin army while he own countrymen gather up to march against us :) They are all warriors that chose to be there. We didn't...

Init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 after the possible surprise round :)

Couple of things. I think Nathan's point is that we are the innocents and he may feel the best way to keep us alive is keeping us out of the fight. Not that we are the bad guys.

Just reading the Ear Piercing Scream spell. Only the horse hears the noise and may or may not be dazed for 1 round. I am hoping the horse bucks ;)

The GM is welcome to treat my provocation as too much to late I wasted the proper time to strike on sensing his motives.

I think its hilarious that we are treating this guy like he clearly general Conaan of 34th level when he could just as easily be the genie scouting us out and that will explain the mists.

Also this is probably one of the best Wisdom verses Intelligence discussions I have ever had in DND. Intelligence says we can't take him. Wisdom says we might not take him but our side won't get this chance again and he'll be a lot more dangerous at the head of an army.

init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

*Facepalm* and laughs....
I know mate, i know....*still chuckles*

"Wait, you're not actually going to attack a general are you? We had backup vs a cyclops we barely handled and this guy arm wrestles them for fun."

Seeing his friends actually preparing he sighs, This must be one of the craziest things we've done....

treating this guy like he clearly general Conaan of 34th level when he could just as easily be the genie scouting us out and that will explain the mists.

Yeah.....to your character he could be that genie. I'm seeing the gm posting a link that screams Mortal Kombat's FINISH HIM vaguely, but this is misty terrain after all XD

"Well at least this time we are not leading children into battle with a Cyclops. He'll be more dangerous at the head of the army."

El does not actually think this guy is the genie it just crossed my mind as even worse than big high level barbarian.

When it comes down to it would you rather see this guy alone or with a whole band of goblins at his side. And for the argument with the cyclops I would like to remind everyone that he was also not alone, there were (don't quote me on this number) like 4 goblins with him taking some of our damage away from him and hurting us which would have raised the CR of that encounter to one that would be higher then this one barbarian, who may have a lot of strength but not much else.
"Scout and I are ready when you are."
Init: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Round 1

there you can blame it on me now :) Taliesin is going for the kill... Heading out for the rest of the day so posting round 1

Spell Combat: Rimed Frost bite, Arcane Accuracy (swift), If talisin his going before him (most likely no need to concentration check to cast def since he is flat footed

Spell Strike Rimed Frostbite: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 7 - 2 + 4 = 231d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Subdual: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Spell Strike Rimed Frostbite: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 2 + 4 = 291d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 Subdual: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Free Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 for first attack

Free Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 for second attack

Please add +2 if by any chance someone is flanking him with taliesin

Damaged target is: Fatigued (takes a –2 penalty to Strength and Dexterity until healed), Entangled (1rd) (takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity) and possibly shaken (–2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks)

Edit: Crit Conf Spell Strike Rimed Frostbite: 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 7 - 2 + 4 = 281d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Subdual: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

If i die Today then it will be worth it if you take the General of the enemy's force out. MORTAL COMBAT !

Now that is some nice damage output... :) a possible 51 damage...

2 things on Taliesin's post:
1) Wow.....the GM surely didn't see that total coming.
2) You're in for a beating ^^

Edit: MORTAL KOMBAT ^^.

Lol three hours away and all hell breaks loose. Very well then, I accept your challenge.

Fort Save horse: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
The horse whickers badly, but isn't troubled too much by the noise.

Crag Hack turns and looks menacingly back at Elenzar. "RAAH! I've tried to be nice. Let you go. YOU'VE BROUGHT THIS ON YOURSELVES!"

Actually Taliesin you might have to roll that concentration check. I've built him quite well and sturdy.
Unarmed AoO, Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 6 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 6 - 3 = 251d3 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 6 = 13
As Taliesin tries to cast his spell, he is suddenly confronted with a fist into his face, he had just enough time to turn his cheek else his nose would've been surely broken.

Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Init Nathaniel: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Init David: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

I'm assuming you all stand close to him within 5 feet else you wouldn't be able to see him, so no charging at him.

Round 1
Forfax --> We're here
Taliesin --> Roll me a concentration check.
Nathaniel
Crag Hack
Elenzar
David

DM quick question since he hasn't acted yet and is behind Taliesin he doesn't have any Aoo and shouldn't he be Flat footed?

Concentration: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 for defensive casting

Go party go :)

There is no reason to hit the horse if he is not on it. Your last post had him on the horse. I was hoping that the horse would throw him or be dazed. Granted I am sure both those things failed. But I figure he would be on the horse.

Round 1

Elenzar draws his sword while moving and moves to flank if there is a place to.

Elven Curved Blade: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

He has Combat Reflexes Taliesin, you can be flat-footed and still take AoOs.

Elenzar misses, his blade glancing off the well-polished armour of the human.

i'll learn then :) but more probably not since taliesin will be butchered soon. SO if we are all withing 5ft of him he is most likely flanked :) don't forget about the penalty to his dex and a possible flank for poor Elenzar (i know i ma trying my hardest to get bonus and penalty on him....)

Don't worry Taliesin I'm here to help you.
Round 1
Forfax will position Scout so he is flanking with Taliesin, make a proclamation "Crag, by my honor as a member of the Order of the Dragon, shall not allow you to join the goblins against my fellow countrymen" (Challenge against Crag, my allies receive a +1 circumstance bonus on melee attack rolls against the target of his challenge whenever I am threatening the target), he will grant Taliesin Precise Strike as a bonus feet for the next 4 rounds (while you and I flank Crag we get to add an additional 1d6 damage that cannot be multiplied by a crit) Since I was first in the Init you should be able to add that 1d6 to your first round attack. That will end Forfax's turn, but Scout would like to get his 2 hooves in. He will kick Crag with both of his hooves.
1st hoof: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10
2nd hoof: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8
Well that didn't work so well.

19 misses. Great! :( uh-oh

But the real question is does a 20 hit do to the bonus you just got from my challege.

Eh..we're actually in combat? I'd never had expected that. :) *5 slices of sarcasm on my burger please ^^

"If we live through this, by the father i swear..):(

Attack Hack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Dmg: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

A 20 does hit, but Crag Hack is before Elenzar, it depends if Forfax and Taliesin remain standing after his turn if he gets the bonus or not.

Taliesin hits twice, slashing the mighty warrior before him with all his power, the blood running down his armour and his muscles only seems to anger him.

Taliesin you still got hit for 13, you never said prior to the hit that you casted defensively. The spell still goes off, but the DC was 24 that time.

Crag Hack's muscles bulge and his voice becomes a roaring fury even more so then when he last bellowed.

"RAAH! I HATE BACKSTABBING MAGES!"

With a swift motion he grabs his axe and swings once at Taliesin.
Attack, Greataxe, Entangled, Rage, Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 6 - 2 + 2 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 6 - 2 + 2 - 3 + 1 = 311d12 + 12 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 9 + 1 = 27

He then turns his gaze at the other spellcaster that caught him unawares, focusing on Elenzar.

Second Attack, Greataxe, Entangled, Rage, Power Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 6 - 2 + 2 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 6 - 2 + 2 - 3 + 1 = 81d12 + 12 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 9 + 1 = 32

His AC is now at 16. Also before you ask, yes he has shed his Fatigued condition.

Survivors it's your turn now.

Ah, but the +1 was from my challenge not the flanking so he gets it as long as I stand.

Challenge: 1d6 ⇒ 3 added damage on first attack

Challenge: 1d6 ⇒ 5 added damage on second attack

And Taliesin fall hard almost having his head cut off

Finish him guys :) and that does mean that Elenzar did hit woot nice going there ...

Roll me a Fort Save Taliesin, if it's a 20 you live, else you're dead. Your negative hitpoints equals your CON now.
The thing is Forfax if he decided to attack you and you were killed, Elenzar wouldn't receive the bonus. Not that it mattered as he was about to Rage and lower his AC himself.

Adding 8 damage from Taliesin's Precise Strike. Good job so far, you did him 48 lethal damage and some subdual.

It's David's turn now, I'll bot him in the morning if he hasn't acted by then yet.

Ok, after Taliesin's hint, 5ft step to flank with horse.
Mace: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 = 21
dmg: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Ffs

i am not dead yet DM the roll happens on my next turn giving time for some one (aka david by now) to actually heal me :)

Nathaniel if you can 5ft step you can probably flank with forfax's horse and then you would hit with the flanking bonus :) (did you do your bonus wrong cause a +3 to hit is rather low? you mace show +8 to hit (giving you a hit on the target)

Knowing, the hulking brute before him is going to put out more damage than what David could ever hope to mend; he searches his brain for any help. The spells he knows and has are not going to be effective against their fir, he feels useless to this point.

David, magic missile, color spray, slep, clw

either Magic missile of CLW and both are great options. As said no worries taliesin was readied to die (even if i should have avoided the Aoo and not have taken that 13 damage he had a 50% chance to "obliterate" me with that second attack...

Actually Taliesin

When a creature's hit points drop below 0, it becomes unconscious. When a creature's hit points reach a negative total equal to its Constitution score, it dies

Normally you may roll once to see if you automatically stabilize after going into negatives, the next round if you fail your Fort roll, you lose 1 hp. This case you're actually already dead, but I'll give you this chance for rescue.

Round 2
Forfax --> We're here
Taliesin --> Awaiting Fort save roll or die.
Nathaniel --> Posted actions
Crag Hack
Elenzar
David

Also Nathaniel that 21 is a hit, what're you angry about?

Stabilization: 1d20 - 15 ⇒ (14) - 15 = -1 => not an outstanding success :)

David will step to the side and heal his downed companion.

1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Ah GM, i forgot to remove that comment, sry :)

Lets see if I can do more than buff a dead guy. Attacking Crag.
Forfax attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11
Oh come on.
Scout attack 1st hoof: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Scout attack 2nd hoof: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Well that stunk.

Fortunately for Taliesin, some healing aid is nearby to tend to his wounds, though he's not conscious to thank his saviour. Stabilized at -4hp

Also mind you I don't think the flanking with the horse bit works that way. In my view he threatens the same squares as Forfax does. It does put Nathaniel next to Elenzar in the small overview I have.

Forfax, Elenzar and Nathaniel are still in the fight, David is sitting at the side healing Taliesin, Taliesin himself lies unconscious on the ground also within Crag Hack's reach.

Nathaniel hits Crag Hack squarely in the chest with his mace and the the barbarian turns his gaze towards him.

"HAR HAR! You're a strong one aren't you! You're next. Let's have a little fun shall we!"

He grips the axe tightly in both hands and swings down on Elenzar first, but tries to power it through to Nathaniel.
Attack on Elenzar, Greataxe, Power attack, Rage, Cleave: 1d20 + 8 + 6 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 6 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 181d12 + 12 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 9 + 1 = 27
Attack on Nathaniel, Greataxe, Power attack, Rage, Cleave: 1d20 + 8 + 6 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 6 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 251d12 + 12 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 9 + 1 = 29
Elenzar is hit squarely in his chest by the axe, a sickening crunch of bones and armour is to be heard and the half-elven scribe sinks to the ground. Nathaniel is just slightly more Lucky as the blow comes in hard, heavily denting the side of his armour, causing a lot of blunt trauma within. Nathaniel still stands, albeit barely.

"Ha Ha Ha! You've had enough yet punks?!" Crag Hack shouts, obviously delighting in the fight, in contrast to Taliesin and Elenzar.

His AC is still 16. Survivors may take their turns now, Elenzar is down.

*OOFFF*......
He looks at Crag with a smile, wheezing though.
"You know, i'm kind of enjoying the fight general Hack, even though i didn't want to start it."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
"Us lot are no match for your prowess. Shall we call it a day and have a better fight another time? You take us with ease here, would it not be more glorious to beat us when we're better trained to put up actual resistance?"

Total defense after that.

I'll try to bargain us out if it has to come to it ^^.

......^... XD

I'm afraid that check didn't quite make it Nathaniel, you're looking for at least a DC 25 check to try and persuade him to cease his attack. You'll get a +2 bonus on the next check because you didn't attack him this turn.

Waiting on Forfax to decide what he wants to do so we could finish this encounter...

Forfax proclaims to Crag, through gritted teeth (he is still being challenged by me right now) "He is right we are amazingly out matched and the fact that you haven't even broken a swet while taking out two of my companions shows just how boring this whole thing is for you. We would humbly request a gracious retreat before we are all just lumps in the dirt."
Diplomacy check: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 30
Of course, this I crit, but if it was an attack roll I would have gotten like a 5.

Well apparently the dice roller knows what's important and agrees with me.

Crag Hack looks at Forfax qith squinting eyes, raises his axe and drops it laughing out loudly.
"Har har! You're damn right to ask for a retreat. Playtime is very short for non-barbarians!"
His muscles seem to relax somewhat and he looks a little queasy for a moment, then drinks a potion from his pack and looks fine.

He looks at the wounded Elenzar and Taliesin and scoffs at them and gently kicks them onto their backs.

"Take these two backstabbers with you and bugger off. I don't want to see them anymore or it has to be on the other end of my axe. You should make yourself scarce too lad. Speaking high and mighty atop your horse about honour got you nowhere. Honour is facing your enemy face to face, not suddenly jumping on them when they're not even armed. You'd do best to remember that."

With that Crag Hack slides into a comfortable position atop of his horse and looks down on the three conscious companions. "I'll be leading the assault on yer town, if ye value your lives you'll not be there when I come."

That said he spurs on his horse and it jumps over the unconscious body of Taliesin and it trots away through the mists, heading in a somewhat north-western direction.

Nathaniel puts his shield and mace back. He looks over at Forfax after Crag Hack has left.
"A good appeal to his barbaric sense of honour. Now let's get these taken care of as much as possible."

He squats next to Elenzar.
Lay hands, 4/5 left.
Healing: 1d6 ⇒ 4

"So.....you're awake."
His smile turned to a big annoyed frown.
"He's not going to spare you next time he sees you."

Likewise he steps over to Taliesin.
2/5 left.
Healing: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Healing: 1d6 ⇒ 6
With arms crossed he stands up, so as to shadow Taliesin with the same frown.

Through bloody spittle Elenzar looks about wide-eyed, "You didn't kill him . . . how are we alive?"

"Some polite and meaningful words from myself and Forfax, who seemed to strike a string with Hack. Besides that, you have David's healing and my lesser healing to thank for that."

"You let him walk?" He flashes angry a moment. "I would rather be dead and goblins still leading the army." He calms. "I'm sorry. Thank you. We are still here to fight another day."

as taliesin comes back around

So i take it you have finished him off since i am alive ? looking around him

Well since i don't see his body that means he got the best of us and you persuaded him not to finish us off i take it. That means he will join and lead the army.

he looks at Everyone

Well if someone can pray that we can meet on the field I would be grateful for a round two re match. he says picking himself up

Thanks for the healing and saving my life he finish sounding hard but grateful to everyone.

"He reassured us he'd be at Heartham and we'd be shown no mercy if we were there. That's all that was said. No prayers needed."

Well i do hope to be there to stop him or at least to see him fall rapidly to the best warrior we have on our side. So what now ? we continue our way south and rest as soon as we can?

"I reckon that would be for the best. We can all use some proper rest. Perhaps some of the cityfolk know a thing or two of defending against a siege."