[5e] Rappan Athuk in the Mwangi Expanse (Inactive)

Game Master Zizazat

Since Akmenos and Lysander only really missed one fight that amounts to a 10 XP difference, I am not sure it's worth the bookkeeping :)

Since nobody was injured from the prior long rest, and didn't really expend any special abilities I don't see a reason you shouldn't just level up and we can continue.

HP Gained 5+CON=8
New HP= 19
One new First Level spell slot
One new spell prepared
Channel Divinity 1/rest
Turn Undead or Guided Strike

HPs gained 5 + con = 7
New HPs = 17
Gained Cunning Action

Works for me!

HP Gained is 4+1 = 5 for a total of 12
Two new spells in the spellbook: Earth Tremor and Mage Armor
One more prepared: Mage Armor

Arcane Tradition: Transmutation
Transmutation Savant and Minor Alchemy gained!

Level 2 Goods:
-HP gained: 6+2=8
--New HP total: 20
-Lay on Hands pool increased to 10
-Fighting Style gained: Defense (+1 AC while wearing armor) (Was thinking about taking Protection, but that would probably get really muddled in a PbP format, so I'll just grab the AC bonus and tank away)
-Spellcasting gained
--Typical spells prepared: cure wounds, detect evil and good, searing smite, thunderous smite
-Divine Smite gained

Ah! I have been screwing them up! I'm sorry!

I wasn't paying enough attention.

Akmenos, not a problem :)

I have some health issues that may take me away from the forums for a few days or more. I will keep things rolling when I get back.

Thanks for the heads up Cererithil, I hope for a speedy recovery for you!

Back but need some time before posting and playing - give me a few days

If you guys don't mind, I'd like any feedback you have on the monster you just fought. The Clockwork Hound. It is a playtest creature from a 5e Kickstarter from Kobold Press called Tome of Monsters. I replaced the fight in that room with this playtest creature to see how it played out. I have my own opinions and observations but I would really like anything you'd like to share about this encounter from your perspective.

Also, I didn't create this creature. Though I did submit one to the user created submissions. Your feedback isn't going to hurt my feelings. Though it wouldn't even it was my creature :)

Thanks!

Seemed really tough(ie lots of HP/defenses)...but it was easily managed with a high AC person taking most of the hits.

I can see it fulfilling a role as a "tank" for a spellcasting monster.

I ran it was presented even though it was obvious the HD/hp formulas were not followed :)

It had 84 hp, but it should have really been 42 because of resistance/immunity. I was too worried though since it was trying to hit AC 18 or 20 guys with only a +5 on the roll :) I did start to worry just a little in round 2 where I think everyone missed but Akmenos who did 1 damage. Lol

I also spared you the 2d12+5 bite since you guys had it down to 4 hp it seemed a little pointlessly mean spirited to go out on that. It actually has 2 tongue attack types (trip or disarm) which I was trying to use before unsuccessfully as the bite seems a bit OP at that damage.

Personally I think the fight wasn't too tough for us, mainly because we were able to get our tanky frontliners up fighting the thing while the more squishy types stayed in the back.

It definitely sounds to me like this monster is supposed to be a bruiser type, though: the ability to eat up lots of damage, through HP and resistances, as well as a strong attack that doesn't necessarily have a great chance to hit. I agree that number seems a bit much for low-level characters... but depending on the actual CR of the creature and where it's meant to be used, that could change. By even 4th or 5th level even a critical from that might not bring down a strong character, so it doesn't seem too bad.

I would need to know it's HD and such to give full feedback. It seems like a good CR 4-5 creature though with the resistances and strong bite.

Here is the full original stat block. It also looks like I forgot to Explosive Core you guys ;)

CLOCKWORK HOUND

Medium construct, unaligned

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)

Hit Points 84 (13d8 + 26)

Speed 50 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

16 (+3) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 1 (–5) 10 (+0) 1 (–5)

Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +4

Skills Athletics +7, Perception +4

Damage Immunities poison, psychic

Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14

Languages understands Common

Challenge 2 (450 XP) [PLAYTEST TARGET TO CONFIRM]

Immutable Form. The clockwork hound is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.

Magic Resistance. The clockwork hound has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Diligent Tracker. Clockwork hounds are designed to guard areas and track prey. They have advantage on all Wisdom (Perception) and Wisdom (Survival) checks when tracking.

ACTIONS

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) piercing damage.

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) bludgeoning damage.

Tripping Tongue. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) slashing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Disarming Tongue. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) slashing damage and the target is disarmed unless it makes a successful Strength saving throw with a DC equal to the damage done by the attack. If the saving throw fails, the weapon drops at the target's feet.

Explosive Core. The mechanism that powers the hound explodes when the construct is destroyed. All creatures within 5 feet of the hound take 7 (2d6) fire damage, or half damage with a successful DC 12 Dexterity saving throw.

Yeah, seems much too tough for a CR2 creature.... I'd have placed it at least CR4.

Here is a CR 2 creature from the MM
Ettercap
Medium monstrosity, neutral evil
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 44 (8d8 + 8)
Speed 30ft., climb 30 ft.
STR 14 (+2) DEX 15 (+2) CON 13 (+1) INT 7 (-2) WIS 12 (+1)CHA 8 (-1)
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4, Su rvival +3
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Percept ion 13
Languages -
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Spider Climb. The ettercap can climb difficult surfaces,
including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an
ability check.
Web Sense. While in contact with a web, the ettercap knows
the exact location of any other creature in contact with
the same web.
Web Walker. The ettercap ignores movement restrictions
caused by webbing.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The ettercap makes two attacks: one with its bite
and one with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.
Hit: 6 (ld8 + 2) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) poison damage.
The target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw
or be poisoned for 1 minute. The creature can repeat the saving
throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself
on a success.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage.
Web (Recharge 5-6). Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range
30/60 ft. , one Large or smaller creature. Hit: The creature is
restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained creature
can make a DC 11 Strength check, escaping from the webbing
on a success. The effect ends if the webbing is destroyed. The
webbing has AC 10, 5 hit points, res istance to bludgeoning
damage, and immunity to poison and psychic damage.

One of the things I find a little on the nose about 5th Ed is the HP aspect of rocket tag. ACs are low, hits are often but HPs (for monsters at any rate) tend towards high. So every round everyone is taking hits - the key is can the adventurers do more damage than the monsters? Damage bonuses for adventurers tend towards being lower than monsters as well so it is a weird balance - there are more adventures than monsters but they do less damage. The monsters have a lot more HPs, and do more damage. At that point its a question of who has crappier roles.

That's really only true in early and in late levels. Levels 1-3 are over quickly, but it is easy for things to spiral out of control in combat. The 5e "sweet spot" is like levels 5-15 where the PCs have more options, can take a few hits and retreat when necessary.

Then in late levels monsters are immune to almost anything and the best strategy is meta-gaming saving throws so long as it isn't a legendary monster which will take luck and tactics together.

EDIT

It's also why TWF is common early in 5e and then changing to great weapons with bonus spells or action surges.

The creature definitely felt like the toughest opponent so far. It might be fun to fight another one utilizing its bite attack in a different part of the dungeon.

Full disclosure - I have a spreadsheet that does (corrects) most of the math for a given CR, so I have already created a 'fixed' CR 2 version of the creature that I was planning to have you guys fight at some point in the future :)

If you are lucky at some other future point I will also unleash my CR 4 submission on you guys ;)

Hey guys, I'm taking my family on a mini vacation tomorrow through Sunday evening. My ability to post will be limited.

I hope nobody is too upset at Akmenos' illusion fun. Unknown to the wizard there was a hugh cobra sleeping in one of the fire bowls, and so his whole bit about pretending to be in danger while you were all on the precipice of real danger amused me greatly.

Happy holidays :)

lol - my character was not amused. I had no issues with it at all :)

I just saw an opportunity to let my outsider nature bleed through.

No, definitely, it's fairly amusing. Lysander's just too straight-and-narrow for his own good.

Sorry guys, the holidays took more out of me than I expected. I am back in the saddle again though...

Cererithil, I haven't been tracking. I did go back and skim your posts. It looks like you have shot about 22 times, but following the spirit of the recovery rule after each fight means you would probably have something like 9 or 10 arrows left after the last fight. This is a problem you guys can probably buy your way out of when you return to town, though I believe you got some additional arrow off the gnolls. So let's call it 10 arrows each left from your starting 20 for Cererithil and Uilisfuen and you can just assume 50% recovery after each fight.

I took an extra quiver from the gnolls show it should be ok for the short term

I will be delayed in posts for a while and may need someone to bot me... going through some s%@~

No problem Cererithil, thanks for the heads up. I hope it all turns out well!

Sorry guys, another long day today. I hope to get caught up tonight or first thing tomorrow morning.

I went over the posts to double check the XP. Oddly doing a search for “XP” in the gameplay thread didn’t show the latest xp awarded after fighting the leeches. So I used the brower’s find function on each page to get posts that Paizo’s search didn’t. Thankfully, the only discrepancy in XP posts was in the XP for the leeches combat. I put a list of hyperlinks on my character sheet to help minimize future xp questions.

Thanks for the effort, it's really convenient.

Thanks for double checking Uilisfuen. I have a spreadsheet I am keeping track of things in and 730 is the total I have as well :)

Sorry for the delays, but this week was much rougher than I expected.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this message.

It has become increasingly clear to me the last two weeks that I am presently unable to manage this game as it deserves. That sucks big time. I also had to turn down another Paizo freelancing oppurtunity. I have enjoyed this game, and your characters thus far! Switching things over to 5e has been an interesting project and I have enjoyed it emmensely. I know these things happen but I hate being the guy who has to pull the plug on something. I appologize. Thank you for being excellent, colorful and creative players!

I appreciate the heads up GM. Thank you for the game.

Much better to know instead of just letting the thread die. Good luck to you!

Appreciate the heads up mate - I think better of you for it and sorry you needed to turn down the freelancing op. Hoping that you get freelancing opportunities as things improve for you.

I'll echo the sentiments of the others: Thanks for the game, and thanks for the heads-up. It was a great time while I was here!

Are you able to close the campaign down?

Thank you for running the game. It was interesting to play DnD 5E on the boards. Good luck with your future freelancing opportunities. And to the other players, thank you! You made the game fun and memorable.