Aubrey's Rise of the Runelords campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Aubrey the Malformed

Sounds right to me.

I think Cam was scouting in the lead, but then Alwyn did most of the speaking. Sef had indicated she didn't want to be just behind Camlo in lead.

Maybe Camlo->Hudak->Alwyn->Sef->Illes?

Scout + toughs, caster in the middle, weak melee in back.
If Cam can tumble past him, he can flank with Hudak.

I like that too. I'll head towards the rear once I finally get to act.

Map.

Initiatives:
Hudak 16
Redcaps 13
Illes 11
Camlo 9
Sefayll 7
Alwyn 3

Hudak.

Map requires permission if you are still around.

Changed.

Move to O9 before attacking the gnome's weapon using Lunge and Power Attack. Attack roll 12+21-3(PA)=30 versus its CMD, damage 1d10+19+9(PA)=32 verus the scythe (minus its hardness).

Gnomes, in two weeks.

Hudak slices through the redcap's scythe handle and the blade drops impotently to the floor. The redcap looks furious. "Yooo! Yooo! Aaaargh...!!" It steps up and kicks at Hudak's shins with its iron-toed boots.

RC1 attacks Hudak.
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 to hit, damage 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Meanwhile, the other redcaps don't seem inconvenienced by the narrow tunnel. The two in the middle crouch down, and the one at the back runs up and uses them as steps to jump on the shoulders of the one in front. Then the two redcaps weave forward, scythes swinging.

RC2 and RC5 both attack Illes. He gets some cover from round the corner.
RC2 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 10 - 2 = 21 to hit, damage 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 1) + 10 = 12
RC5 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 2 = 14 to hit, damage 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (3, 4) + 10 = 17

Map updated.

Illes.

As I figure out what I'm doing, I have partial cover from the corner and all of us are squeezing... That sound about right?

You have partial cover. You aren't squeezing.

After seeing the redcaps 'mount up' and come at him with scythes on dual layers Illes blinks and mumbles, "Someone remind me you can't just eat random mushrooms you find on mountain trails..." until once of them slices his arm with a scythe. "Hey now! That's about enough of that!" The bard brings his rapier up on guard and begins darting in at the bony kneecaps on the supporting 'cap.

5' to H9
MA: Inspire Courage w/ Badge of Valor +4/+4
SA: Keen Rapier: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 4 = 18, Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 4 = 8
Keen Rapier: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 4 = 16, Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 4 = 11

FF AC with partial cover is 21. 12 damage.

Camlo

Camlo forces his way past the redcap attacking hudak.

MA: Move to Q9 Acrobatics: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (11) + 22 = 33

SA: Atack! Atk: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23DMG: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5Sneak Attack: 5d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2, 5, 2) + 6 = 19

I mean... you don't have to take it if you don't want to, but you have another +6 to hit (inspire and Hudak's lunge is still active for flanking) and +4 to damage (inspire). If you want them ;)

Sef

Illes makes a few probing feints with his rapier, but the leaning tower of redcaps avoids the keen tip of his blade. Camlo slithers past Hudak and behind his foe before stabbing him in the back in classic style.

Map updated.

Sef.

I mean... you don't have to take it if you don't want to, but you have another +6 to hit (inspire and Hudak's lunge is still active for flanking) and +4 to damage (inspire). If you want them ;)

This is why Aubs is no longer allowed 2 week holidays.

Sefayll steps toward the beleaguered bard, halberd extended more defensively than anything. Spying another redcap down the hall, she commands, "Aid my friend!" Irresistible Demand, he has to have eight or fewer HD and gets a Will DC 20 or is affected as a dominate monster spell.

With cover or spell-like abilities, is it necessary to do this defensively? She doesn't this round, but she may be learning from the experience.

I'm casting Shield of faith on myself before moving closer to the action. With Sefayll's spell, I assume that means I end up in J9.

"Illes, you're in my spot."

Hudak slices through the redcap's scythe handle and the blade drops impotently to the floor. The redcap looks furious. "Yooo! Yooo! Aaaargh...!!" It steps up and kicks at Hudak's shins with its iron-toed boots.

Hudak easily parries the gnome's kick. "Nice boots, gnome. I think I might keep them as a souvenir," he smirks before laying into the sputtering redcap.

No move; full attack on RC1. Attack 1: 9+21+6(bard)+2(flank w/Camlo)-3(Power Attack)=AC 35, damage 1d10+19+4(bard)+9(PA)=39.
Attack 2: 13+16+6(bard)+2(flank w/Camlo)-3(Power Attack)=AC 34, damage 1d10+19+4(bard)+9(PA)=40.

If this drops the redcap he 5' steps to N9.

Redcaps!

Sorry, when I said +6 before it was bard and flanking combined. I'm only providing +4/+4 right now. I doubt it makes any difference here but I mention it to avoid confusion.

Hudak sprays the walls with redcap, before turning back towards the main fight.

RC1 down. The first attack killed it, so I'll move Hudak back a full move action.

Sef has partial cover. The rules suggest that that also negates an AoO, so defensive casting is not necessary. However, it is normally necessary for spell-like abilities.

RC3 Will save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

OK, "Aid my friend" is a bit vague and since the redcap is basically unwilling, it'll interpret that to be as minimalist as possible. So it will do the Aid Another action to improve Illes' AC. It can't miss AC 10, so Illes AC is improved by 2 this round.

As Sefayll's will invades the redcap's mind, it tries to help Illes - as little as possible. It moves up behind the two redcaps attacking the Varisian and begins flicking the ear of the lower one.

Meanwhile, RC2 and RC5 will continue to attack Illes.
RC2 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 to hit, damage 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 3) + 10 = 14
RC5 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 to hit, damage 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (4, 2) + 10 = 16

Map updated.

Illes.

Heh, perfect. Next round, I'll push harder.

Heh. Thanks to his aid they both miss. Good enough for me :)

Illes winks at the redcaps, "It's been a pleasure guys, but my friend is ready to cut in. He's a fantastic dancer. Enjoy." Illes blows them a kiss a darts back beyond his allies.

Versatile Dance for Acrobatics to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23
Move to M9. Because acrobatics movement costs double it is a double move.
Maintain Inspire Courage +4/+4
Sef

Map updated.

Sefayll.

Illes: Excellent!

Sefayll uses her force of will to telepathically command the redcap: Great prank! You know what, it would be hilarious if you tripped him! Quick! While he's busy with the tallpockets!

Rolling with the thought that pranks are in his nature...

Alwyn pushes past Sefayll; his face lights up when he sees the mass of redcaps around the corner. "Excellent! Enough for all of us!"

Move to H9 before attacking the bottom redcap using Power Attack and Vital Strike. Attack roll 11+11+4(bard)-2(Power Attack)=AC 24, damage 4d6+5+6(PA)+4(bard)= 29.

"Ghhhhnnnngh! Move aside, tiny wizard! Nualia's Tongue thirsts for the blood of tiny, wrinkly sprite-men!" Hudak paces frustratedly as Illes and then Alwyn engages the enemy around the corner. Finally, he steps closer, grabs Safayll by her belt, lifting her up and shoving his way past her. "Hudak's here, dwerrowlings!", he yells, poking his head around the corner. "I will cut your iron boots off and hang them behind my chariot!"

Hudak spends his turn moving himself into I9, pushing Sefayll into J9 in the process. Should I make a combat maneouver roll?

Yes, since she's not moving willingly.

Generic combat maneuver check (probably a grapple, though Hudak does have Improved Bull Rush) 13+17+4(bard)=34 versus Sefayll's CMB.

I think you want reposition. I considered it or drag for my action until I realized I should just waltz out of there on my own.

Sefayll's busy concentrating on her spell effect, so she gives Hudak little resistance to his effort to reposition her. I expect it would be easily done.

RC3 trip attempt
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 v CMD 21[/dice]

The redcap tries to kick away his fellows legs but his heart isn't in it.

Alwyn provokes an AoO by moving.
RC2 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 2 = 13 to hit, damage 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (4, 3) + 10 = 17
RC5 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 2 = 12 to hit, damage 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 4) + 10 = 15

Alwyn then slashes his sword across the bottom redcap's face. It sways but stays up.

Initiatives:
Hudak 16
Redcaps 13
Illes 11
Camlo 9
Sefayll 7
Alwyn 3

The redcaps try to slice Alwyn to pieces.

RC2 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 to hit, damage 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 1) + 10 = 13
RC5 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 to hit, damage 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 1) + 10 = 13

Illes.

Map updated.

The redcaps' scythes all bounce harmessly off Alwyn's platemail. He shakes his head in theatrical disapproval.

Four misses. Hooray for heavy armour!

"Alwyn I swear by the gods if you don't lay those mouthy gnomes out quick I'll be singing the ballad of Agnarrsson's Demise by Gnomegeddeon up and down the Shoanti trails by the end of this year."

SA: Cast Virtuoso Performance
MA: Begin Inspire Greatness for Alwyn while maintaining inspire courage.
Everyone else +4/+4
Alwyn: +6/+4, +1 fort, +2 HD HD: 2d10 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 2 = 7
This burns 3 rounds of performance per round. I need to go back and see how many I have used up soon.

What does Virtuoso Performance do?

Camlo.

"I can assure you that that particular fear is completely unfounded, good skald. If we do go on the trails, it will be to show off our collection of ridiculous miniature iron bootlets."

4th level spell, lets you run two different bardic performances at once.
I would have started dirge of doom to inspire us while leaving them shaken, but they have to see me for doom to work.

Camilo continues watching the tunnel.

RC3 should get a Will save DC 20 last round (sorry) and this round to see if he is still dominated. If so, Sefayll maintains concentration and mentally orders him to use the scythe to hook and yank the top redcap off his 'mount' just because of the chaos it will cause.

The scythe! Use the scythe to pull the fellow on top off-balance! You know he's been coveting your boots!

I remembered after but since he missed anyway and doesn't have many options if he's not dominated, I hand-waved it.

Will save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Alwyn.

So - what happened with the double-stacked redcaps? Are any of them prone?

Meh - it might not matter. I keep attacking the one I hit last turn. Attack 1: 10+11+6(bard)-2(Power Attack)=AC 25, damage 2d6+5+4(bard)+6(Power Attack)+5(Destructive Smite cleric ability)=28.
Attack 2: 12+6+6-2=AC 22, damage 2d6+5+4+6+5=27.

Any bonuses for proneness or distraction are not included.

Hudak hacks away at the (remaining?) redcaps in H10.
Attack 1: 10+21+4(bard)-3(Power Attack)=AC 32, damage 1d10+19+4(bard)+9(PA)=36.
Attack 2: 11+16+4-3=AC 28, damage 1d10+19+4+9=41.

Redcaps!

Alwyn, Hudak and the redcaps trade blows. Finally, Hudak cuts down the one holding up his fellow. The other falls to the ground and Hudak slices a cut across its back.

H2 down.

Initiatives:
Hudak 16
Redcaps 13 (RC5 prone)
Illes 11
Camlo 9
Sefayll 7
Alwyn 3

The one at the back (RC4) mutters, "Bugger this!" and runs off back up the tunnel. The fallen one (RC5) gets back up (provoking AoOs) and tries to follow, but his compatriot does his best to knock him back down again.

RC3 trip attempt against RC5 - of course, this might be moot if RC5 is killed by the AoOs, in which case it just stands around confused.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 v CMD 21
Fail. If RC5 survives the AoOs he scarpers back down the corridor.

Illes.

Map updated.

AoO Alwyn: 11+11+6(bard)-2(Power Attack)=AC 26, damage 2d6+5+4(bard)+6(Power Attack)+5(Destructive Smite cleric ability)=27.

AoO Hudak: 12+21+4(bard)-3(Power Attack)=AC 34, damage 1d10+19+4(bard)+9(PA)=35.

Continue:
Inspire Courage +4/+4
Inspire Greatness (Alwyn) +2 attack
13 rounds of performance used today.

Camlo.

Did we knock out the redcap?

Camlo is still watching and waiting. Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

Sorry, yes, he didn't survive that. The only live redcap now in sight is Sef's friend. And now it's Sef's turn.

Map updated.

He gets another DC 20 Will save as she tries to maintain the effect.

Speaking out loud this time, "Drop your weapon. Tell us what you know about these tunnels. Where they go, who or what else is down here, everything."

It's a standard action to maintain the effect, so that's all she can really manage.