Heh, luckily, since Dragomir mentioned that he was stepping back, I think Raj was the only one in danger of being splashed by the acid, and given I don't use maps I will give him the benefit of the doubt and say he's just out of range. Might want to wipe off his boots though. And the ivy starts smoking.
The zombie struggles to free itself again.
And fails. Again.
The musk creeper tries to stabilise:
And succeeds. You notice the sap flow diminishes as the plant's wounds seal over.
Team PC's Actions
Raj: murders plant. ; )
Septimus: loses another crossbow bolt in the ivy.
Rose: discovers disrupt undead doesn't work on this particular zombie.
Lem: activates inspire courage.
Theron: fires an arrow at the zombie, and hits, but deals no damage.
Dragomir: readies an action to chop the zombie if it gets down.
Walter: waits.
Karrik: almost burns Raj with acid.
Lem: 23
Raj: 20
Rose: 4
Dragomir: 17
Walter: 16.
Karrik: 10.
Septimus: 13.
Theron: 17.
As the zombie's frenzied struggles captivate everyone's attention, only Raj and Lem notice as the surface of the pool begins to ripple in a strange fashion...
Average = 17 (round down)
...and as the two stunned would-be heroes watch, three white skulls slowly emerge from the pond...followed by shoulders, and rib-cages, and it becomes quickly apparent that these three skeletons intend to drago you down to join them at the bottom of the pond. They slowly begin to wade their way toward the water's edge--in an utter and eerie silence...
###
Team Musk Creeper
Yellow Musk Creeper: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead
Yellow Musk Zombie: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead
Team Skeleton
Skeleton #1: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead
Skeleton #2: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead
Skeleton #3: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead
###
The musk creeper is no longer a threat. The zombie is struggling to free itself. But you do have three more creatures to fight. They are within charge range--and they have the initiative (see behind GM screen for rolls). Anyone who specified they had readied an action (in this case I'll give it to both Dragomir and Walter) can redirect that readied action to deal with the skeletons if they wish. The skeletons won't be able to reach Septimus, Karrik, Rose or Walter this turn (none of them specified any movement as part of their actions so I have made an assumption that they're around thirty feet south of the water's edge, whereas Raj would be pretty much getting his feet wet. Lem and Dragomir were already nearby, and Theron moved around to get a better shot at the zombie, so all four of them are legitimate targets.
Now...to begin Round 3--with a skeleton attack! Rargh!
This round will end at 7am AEST on Wednesday morning.
The three skeletons attempt to charge up onto the shore of the pond, but due to the water they still have to slog through, they wind up looking ungainly:
...as they all stumble and fail to reach the shore.
The skeletons are fifteen feet from the shore, in water that reaches their knees.
Seeing the new threat, Rose redirects her focus to the skeletons, creatures she believes her spell will have better effect against. She fires another ray of positive energy at the nearest one before moving to the shore.
Raj jumps back from the spray of acid as he notes the skeletons emerging from the water, perilously close. He barks out a quick warning, "'ware the water! We've got company!"
Rose: you'll have to move to the shore first to be within range (30'), but otherwise--you take advantage of the skeletons' momentary stumbles to fire a beam of energy that seems to erode the bones from a skeleton's shoulder.
(We'll say you hit Skeleton #1.)
The skeleton's left arm dangles, seemingly useless, by its side.
Team Skeleton
Skeleton #1: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead
Skeleton #2: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead
Skeleton #3: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead
###
Raj: under normal circumstances I'd say you'd have to roll Knowledge (religion) to know that, but (a) what you say is indeed common sense and (b) with Raj's upbringing and exposure to temple doctrine, it wouldn't surprise me to know that he had some sort of instruction in this area. So yes, Raj can know that stuff.
Karrik swings around at Raj's warning, regarding the skeletons. The Professor had taught Karrik much. But there were a few things that Karrik had taught himself, and fighting was one of them. Fight from solid ground, and make the opponent fight from weakness.
"Meet them at the water's edge!"
He hustles to a spot at the edge of the water where one of the skeletons looks like he will end up, readying a strike to force the skeleton to fight him from in the water.
As he waits -- blade held tightly in two hands -- Karrik risks a glance back over his shoulder at Raj's smoking boots, "Sorry about the acid.."
Raaaarrrg.... Oh s##&, what the hell?, exclaims Dragomir mid warcry as he waits to cut the Zombie down... he shrugs and then wheels and charges the third Skeleton.
Pharasma take you!, he screams and tries hammer his blade through the body of the skeleton.
To Hit
- Charge factored in
Confirmation if needed
Damage
Crit if needed
Theron spins around towards the skeletons because of Raj's warning. After muttering to himself for not noticing them earlier, the inquisitor moves in close enough and then casts Disrupt Undead on an already damaged skeleton to finish it off.
AC 16 T 13 F 13
CMD 14
F/R/W +3/+3/+6
Effects/Conditions:
None
Rajuna notes the headlong charge of his cohorts towards the skeletons but focuses on threat assessment. Not knowing the capabilities of the now recovering, nefarious plant and sure that his allies have the skeleton situation in hand for the moment, he falls back on basic principles.
First Rule: NEVER leave an enemy alive on your flank.
He buries his dagger in the nearly severed rootvine and finishes the job.
Dropping his crossbow to the muck, Septimus walks purposefully toward the pond, even as his fellows rush headlong toward the waterline. "You all are certainly eager to meet the welcoming committee," he smirks. Undoing a latch on his pack, he draws forth a glass vial full of swirling pinkish liquid - definitely different from the draught he distributed to the group earlier in the day.
He takes aim at the group of skeletons, waiting to see if any are still standing after the furious onslaught from Karrik, Dragomir, and Theron.
Wow, you folks are keen! Let's go!
No, Karrik's throw wouldn't have hit. For your edification, the zombie's AC is currently 19, mostly thanks to the cover it's getting from all the ivy vines. But you are correct about the splash weapons bit.
***
Karrik's actions:
All good. Thanks.
***
[Dragomir] wheels and charges the third Skeleton.
You can reach the skeleton just fine--but you'll have to make a DC 10 Acrobatics check to keep your feet in the shallow water, just like the skeletons did. I am happy for you to convert your action to something similar to Karrik's--waiting at the water's edge to strike with a readied action. The result will be the same (sadly for me!). ; )
***
Yes to both.
***
Everyone except Septimus, who remedies that with his very next action.
***
Theron spins around towards the skeletons because of Raj's warning. After muttering to himself for not noticing them earlier, the inquisitor moves in close enough and then casts Disrupt Undead on an already damaged skeleton to finish it off.
Your ray hits the same skeleton that Rose burned, and consumes most of its skull and upper rib cage. The now-inanimate bones fall in a heap and make quiet plop noises as they disappear into the water.
***
Raj's actions:
Raj's blow finally severs the plant's main stem. It shudders momentarily as the flowers further up on the vine spasm open and closed, and then lies quiescent.
***
Heh! Nah, you deserve your chance to shine, threatening crits all over the place--and gaining a fair number. But Raj is also right, I'm not quite finished yet. : )
***
He takes aim at the group of skeletons, waiting to see if any are still standing after the furious onslaught from Karrik, Dragomir, and Theron.
There won't be, unless Dragomir elects to charge into the water and fails his Acrobatics check. : )
***
Hilariously, one of the links in the 'Recent threads' panel to the bottom right is to Garden Tool's Suspicious Minds Campaign. : D
###
Rose: cast disrupt undead.
Karrik: readies an action to smush a skeleton.
Dragomir: charges/readies an action to smush a skeleton.
Theron: casts disrupt undead.
Raj: finishes off the creeper.
Septimus: readies a bomb.
Lem: casts virtue on Dragomir?
Walter: TBD.
Team Plant & Zombie
Yellow Musk Creeper: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead
Yellow Musk Zombie: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead
Team Skeleton
Skeleton #1: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead
Skeleton #2: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead Man Walking
Skeleton #3: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead Man Walking
The zombie is starting to like its home. ; )
###
Just Walter to act, and then I will give the zombie its chance to escape again, and then we can watch the skeletons explode in glorious technicolour as they try to take the beach. : D
Walter, dumbstruck in the flow of combat, watched with wide eyes and an open mouth. With a clumsy motion, he drew his longsword from his belt and then focused, hard. He visualized the red strands of fate that ran taught between everyone here, hard enough to make it real, and then reached out and tabbed at them with his mind's hand.
A subtle feeling of solidarity and impending victory flooded the battlefield.
Skeleton Knowledge - -
Lem moves in behind Dragomir and lays a hand on the warrior.
Desna's blessing upon you, friend. He then raises his voice to all of his companions.
Let us put these creatures to rest with resolve, not anger, in our hearts. For they were men such as us once, and there but for the grace of Desna go we.
As he approaches the water, he sees something churning below the surface.
Karrik, do not advance any further. There is something else in the depths.
Walter's prayer floods the grounds of Harrowstone with divine energies. As they cascade over each of you, you feel renewed of purpose...but the prison seems to somehow grow more angry, as though determined to rid itself of your intrusion.
###
The zombie attempts to free itself once more.
And continues to feebly struggle.
Thus endeth Round 3.
###
Don't want to hold this up so I'll type my action, but I can't post too much 'cuz I'm going to see Avengers. W00t!
Avengers is awesome. For those in the know, the facility at the beginning of the film is apparently Project Pegasus. Which makes sense.
And it goes without saying that you should stay until the end of the credits. Apparently there has been a second easter-egg scene inserted at the very end.
Heh. He probably needs it. ; )
Going to have to do some work folks, no further updates for a while. Sorry!
Dragomir does wait at the waters edge... heavy armour and water... don't mix
Excellent!
Round 4 will end at 7am AEST on Wednesday, or whenever you've all acted, whichever comes sooner.
Team Skeleton's Turn
The two remaining skeletons, heedless of the fate of their comrade, lurch toward the shore, their arms outstretched as they seek to tear into the warm, living flesh of the people on the shore...
...which is when they are cut down mercilessly. Karrik's slim blade finds joints in the skeleton's spinal column and neatly separates the skeleton into two pieces that flop down into the shallow water, inert. Dragomir's much heavier, broader blade, however, slams into the skeleton with the force of a landslide, shattering skull, ribs, spine, pelvis and femur on the way out.
Dragomir finds himself coughing momentarily as he inhales a bit of bone dust.
Neither of the skeletons are a threat any longer.
After Lem's warning, though, it becomes clear that the water in the pond is indeed beginning to churn. Something is stirring in the depths...
###
Team PC's Turn
Dragomir: executed readied action, smushed skeleton.
Karrik: executed readied action, sliced skeleton.
Raj: TBD.
Walter: TBD.
Rose: TBD.
Lem: TBD.
Theron: TBD.
Septimus: TBD.
The zombie's still up there.
Septimus gazes into the pond, trying to see if he can discern what type of creature might be making the water react so violently. So much danger - and we haven't even yet crossed the threshold!
After he studies the depths, Septimus takes few cautious steps back and holds his vial aloft, ready to let loose at the first sign of whatever lurks below.
Well struck, Dragomir! Two-fold blessings of Desna upon you!
The priest holds his holy symbol and blesses the stout warrior again.
As he retreats from the pool, Lem again speaks to the others.
Steel yourselves for what lies beneath the surface! Desna's light shines upon that creature--it cannot hide in the depths from her divine sight!
Definitely too murky. It's brown rather than clear.
Raj puts his back to the vine-covered wall, adjacent to where the zombie should drop. He keeps one eye on the zombie and one on the roiling water, preparing to attack whatever opponent presents itself first.
Theron stays where he is and pulls back an arrow. I don't know what's coming, but we're going to give it quite the greeting...
Given the amount of rain in Ravengro over the last few days, you doubt it would burn well at all. If the fire does catch, it will probably produce copious amounts of smoke.
Just Rose and Walter left to act before our friend the zombie makes his futile attempt to break free. ; )
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With all of the power at his disposal, the entire mental universe of a young burgeoning genius and the divine gift of some strange otherworldly essence, Walter reached down and picked up a loose piece of stone.
He chucked it at the zombie.
It smacked it in the eye.
"Got him!" he declared, triumphant.
Rose readies to strike whatever appears from the roiling water, charging her weapon with arcane power first.
Neither of the skeletons are a threat any longer.
As the bones glop down into the water, Karrik cocks his head to the side in slight confusion, "I thought these things were tougher." He shrugs as his attention is brought to the strange water movements, "But who am I to complain?"
Karrik, do not advance any further. There is something else in the depths.
Karrik gives a toothy half-grin over his should without taking his eyes off the water, "I hadn't intended to, preacher, but I appreciate the warning."
Hello folks! Hope you are having a good week. : )
With all of the power at his disposal, the entire mental universe of a young burgeoning genius and the divine gift of some strange otherworldly essence, Walter reached down and picked up a loose piece of stone.
He chucked it at the zombie.
It smacked it in the eye.
"Got him!" he declared, triumphant.
With a +10 awesome bonus on your attack roll, you did indeed hit the zombie. : D
###
Also:
Skeleton Knowledge -
I am more than happy for Walter to speculate on the origin of these skeletons--it's not like they usually spontaneously pop into existence, after all.
###
Team PC A
Karrik: cuts down skeleton.
Dragomir: destroys skeleton.
Team PC B
Septimus: readies a bomb to attack the submersed threat.
Raj: readies an action to attack the zombie/submersed threat.
Theron: readies an action to attack the submersed threat.
Rose: readies an action to attack the submersed threat.
Team Skeleton
Skeleton #2: cut down.
Skeleton #3: cut down.
Submersed Threat: churns water ominously.
Team PC C
Lem: casts resistance on Dragomir and backs away from the pond.
Walter: beans the zombie with a rock.
Team Zombie
The zombie appears forlorn as it rubs a hand over where its eye used to be, but then resumes its attempts to escape the ivy vines that have been its prison for so many years.
But it seems to have lost the will to (un)live...
Thus endeth Round 4.
###
The PCs are now split into three teams due to the way readied actions alter initiative counts. Dragomir and Karrik have risen to Initiative Count 17, and because their Dex is higher than the Thing's, they get to act first. They could choose to ready an action, retreat, do whatever they like--but they have to act next.
Then Team B--comprised of everyone who has a readied action...err...'ready'--can interrupt the Thing as it acts.
Then Team C can act after the Thing has completed its actions.
All make sense?
Basically, I can't move ahead until Karrik and Dragomir declare their actions. Then I will post the Thing's intended actions and Team B can use their interrupts as they see fit--although we already know what Rose and Theron are doing and the results of their actions.
Sound good? Hope so! : )
###
Round 5 will end at 7am Thursday AEST or...you know the drill. : )
Dragomir, Rose and Karrik are right at the water's edge.
Raj is about ten feet from the water's edge, pressed against the wall.
Theron is around fifteen feet from the water's edge, with a clear shot to the water.
Walter, Lem and Septimus are around twenty feet from the water's edge; Septimus can have manoeuvred himself into a position to get a clear shot too, if he wants.
The zombie is still entangled on the wall.
The thing in the water is still in the water. The churning is localising itself to around sixty or seventy feet offshore.
Thing in the Water: Healthy---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead
Zombie: Healthy (but sad and lonely)---Bruised---Wounded---Near Death---Unconscious---Bleeding Out---Dead
I think that's everything. Have at it! : D