Bad to the Bones (A Rappan Athuk campaign) (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Swanson

I thought that we were going to stick on/near the road as the other areas were unexplored and we were told that the unexplored areas were considered dangerous.

Malzii draws her mace and moves to stick close to the others as suggested, cocking her head to listen for any further howling. "Malzii didn't prepare any fire today, but can wrap them up with the plants if need be. Or anything else that tries to slow us." As they continue to travel, she keeps her eyes open for anything that looks like it might make a good, defensible campsite.

Survival (Aid Another; Untrained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Kn. Nature (Wolves on the Hunt?): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

The howling does not repeat itself.

Malzii realizes from hearing about other encounters her band has with wolf packs before they like to try drawing out one or two of their prey away from the rest into an ambush.

The kobold shaman is able to find a defensible position fairly easily, an upraised hillock where you can fight in a defensive circle and not get separated from one another. As you prepare to set your positions, you hear the howl again, this time followed by by multiple barks and yips in reply.

And they are getting louder...

I will get a COMBAT MAP posted up later this evening.

Varg looks at the short rotund goblin.
If you have any of that magic that protects, I could use it.

Chugs nods to the dwarf, and starts rubbing his ring. He then jabs his crooked fingernail into the dwarf's thigh, and lets magic run through it. Using bonded ring to cast Mage Armor on him.

Varg smiles, if a duergar can ever be considered to be smiling.

Thank you. Now, lets see what these dogs have.

AC 20 with Mage Armor.

"Ambush tactic didn't work, now they all come at once!" Malzii hisses as the howling and yipping grows louder and closer. She assumes a defensive position, circling up with the others as necessary. "Malzii calls on great kobold and wyrm ancestors! Help us stay brave and strike true!" she calls once everyone is positioned.

Casting Bless hopefully right before the wolves get here or on her turn, whichever is appropriate here!

Grey hefts his staff and stands with his fellows, quietly anticipating the coming violence.

Not much choice now... The replies to the second call is a signal to the fetchling that things are about to get interesting. Forming up with the others, Keil draws a short sword from beneath his cloak and waits.

Shadow Blending in affect dogs have a 50% miss chance |

Brok takes a knee, clutches his loaded crossbow and stares out into the dark, trying to focus his hearing on the approaching sounds.

Under his breath he can be heard muttering "Dog .... bad ... dog ... bad ... dog ... bad ..." over and over again.

Arlok leans on his glaive and stares out.

"Arlok tired of waiting on doggy. Doggy come try and get Arlok so Arlok can get some rest."

Guys, I apologize for the delay here. Let's get this ball rolling!

As you set your defensive positions at the top of the hillock and prepare yourselves for the attack, you see the wolves encircle the hillock cutting off your escape. You count a total of seven wolves, with one of them being larger than the others, the alpha male most likely. With a bone chilling howl, the wolves move to attack!

Round 1: Keil, Chugs, Brok, Vargrenz, Malzii, Praetor, Wolves, Arlok, Raaz.

OK, the COMBAT MAP link is posted at the top of the Campaign page. Feel free to position yourselves on the hillock as you wish as you do have time to set up in advance. Also the hillock is considered higher ground so you will gain a +1 to hit for melee attacks.

As the wolves come into view, Brok aims his crossbow and lets fly.

Crossbow at Wolf #3: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Confirm Critical?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 x 2 = 2

cue sad trombone sound

after the crossbow bolt barely creases the wolf's fur, he grimaces, drops his crossbow, and draws his sword

you don't multiply criticals. You roll the dice again.

Ohhh, good catch there Arlok...

Crit damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3 Total damage 4 points.

Brok's shot sinks much further into the wolf's flesh than he realizes.

Spitting on his sword the fetchling gnashes his teeth and beckons one of the wolves to come closer, Here puppy, come and get it.

Keil delays...

"Oh, splendid! The pups have arrived. I was starting to get peckish." Chugs waves his hands in front of himself and casts Shield. AC is now 17.

Round 1

Vargrenz begins to growl.

Run away little doggies, while you can.

As he speaks, you see Vargrenz begin to concentrate, and as he does so, his form begins to swell and grow to twice its original height and probably eight times its original mass.

1 Round action: Use Enlarge Person spell like ability.

Note, Vargrenz will be size large and has Combat Reflexes.

AC 20 with Mage Armor, 18 once Enlarged with size and dex modifiers.

Grey waits for the first one to close in.

Ready action Slumber Hex, DC 15 will save. I want to make sure it is next to one of us when it passes out.

Also, Grey has a Reach weapon. If one passes through his threat zone, he'll whack it.

Seeing so many wolves, Malzii waits for them to begin their approach and draw closer to one another...

Readying Entangle (DC 14 Reflex) to try and catch some of the wolves on Malzii's side of the map once they advance close enough.

Raaz Al'Zuul will first cast 'Shield of Faith' on himself if no wolves charge him.

AC 21 with Shield of Faith

His longspear has Reach so after casting is ready to make an attack of opportunity on any wolf trying to attack him.

Keil readies for the approach of the wolves while Chugs elects to defend himself further. Vargrenz swells his body presenting an inviting target for the wolves whilst Malzii tries to slow their progress...

Wolf #4 Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 success
Wolf #5 Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 success
Wolf #6 Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 failed, entangled

Two of the wolves are able to avoid the grasping branches and roots, but the third is held fast.

The wolves close to attack you...

Wolf #1 Bite vs. Brok: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 2 = 18; damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 miss
Wolf #2 Bite vs. Arlok: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8; damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 miss
Wolf #3 Acro vs. CMD 19: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 fail
Wolf #4 Acro vs. CMD 19: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 fail
Wolf #5 Will DC 15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 success
Wolf #5 Bite vs. Praetor: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 2 = 16; damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 hit
Wolf #5 Trip vs. CMD 12: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 = 10 fail
Wolf #6 STR check vs. DC 14: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 fail

...the ones charging Brok nearly catching the goblin who just barely dodges out of the way. Arlok has an easier time avoiding the clumsy charge however. Another pair of wolves charge at the enlarged duergar who anticipates their moves...Vargrenz, you may take two AoOs here vs. Wolf #3 and #4.

Another wolf charges at Praetor who tries to enchant it, yet the spell washes over it without effect! It sinks its teeth into the orc's flesh, a shallow bite and tries sending him to the ground. Praetor is able to maintain his footing. Praetor takes 2 points of damage.

The final wolf struggles against the roots entangling its paws, but to no avail.

Raaz takes a defensive posture, enhancing his defenses as no other wolf charged him. He does note the large wolf out there still eyeing him however.

Round 1: Keil (delaying), Chugs, Brok, Vargrenz (AoOs), Malzii, Praetor, Wolves, Arlok, Raaz.

Arlok smiles as the wolf bites and nips at his legs. He finally brings himself up from his lean on his glaive. He quickly jumps back to put the beast at reach and gives it a mighty slash.

Glaive Slash: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Don't forget that Bless is active so everyone gets a +1 to attack rolls and saves vs. fear effects :)

Seeing the wolves charging towards his companions, The now much larger dwarf swings out with his huge stony fists.

Attack(AoO)@Wolf#3: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8 <-- +4 Str, +0 BAB, -1 Size, +1 Bless
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Attack(AoO)@Wolf#4: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Unfortunately, with his size still expanding, his blows fall short of their mark.
Slow down stupid dogs.

Bloody horrible rolls to start the game.

Round 1 Init 4

As Praetor begins his dance with the wolf, Keil senses an opportunity and lashes out. Unfortunately the violent movements between canine and witch doctor get in the way and Keil's sword swings wide.
Att vs. Wolf@ I28: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Shadow Blending in affect wolves have a 50% miss chance | MA to J28

Vargrenz stumbles slightly on a rough spot on the hillock which throws his blows off balance. Arlok is ready for his opportunity however, and he nearly cleaves the wolf in twain with his massive polearm. Keil moves to assist the orc witch-doctor, but he stumbles on a loose patch of dirt as well that throws of his attack.

Round 2: Chugs, Brok, Vargrenz, Malzii, Praetor, Wolves, Keil, Arlok, Raaz.

Round 2
Growling that his earlier blows missed, Varg picks up the pace, swinging two massive fists at the wolf before him.

Time to die dog.

Attack-FoB@Wolf #3: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Attack-FoB@Wolf #3: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Much to his frustration, the nimble wolves continue to duck under his swings. I assume, perhaps the 14 hits.

Brok stabs at the wolf trying to bite him.

don't know which number it is, I thought it was #3, but the above description says #1 tried to bite me, +1 for bless, +1 for higher ground

longsword: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 17

damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Forgot we have +1 for higher ground. Please add these to my prior attack.

Not sure if it would help, but the attack rolls would have been 9 and 15, clearly the 9 still misses unless the wolves are asleep.

Chugs crouches behind Arlok and lets loose a Magic Missile at the wolf trying to gnaw on Brok.

Wolf #1: Magic Missile damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Chugs and Brok team up on one of the wolves, wounding it pretty badly. Vargrenz manages to catch another wolf with one of his fists cracking several of its ribs. That wolf is also looking the worse for wear.

Round 2: Chugs, Brok, Vargrenz, Malzii, Praetor, Wolves, Keil, Arlok, Raaz.

"Wolves won't eat us that easily!" Malzii cries as she draws her mace and takes a swing at the wolf snapping at Praetor.

Attack (Heavy Mace): 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

+1 for Bless and +1 for higher ground if it applies!

If he does not post, we can probably assume as a witch that Praetor would use his slumber hex on the closest uninjured wolf.

I'm just waiting on the wolves to go again but with the holiday weekend I probably won't be back on here till monday.

Grey moves back a step and brings his thick staff down.

Attack Wolf 5, bless: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The kobold shaman teams up with the orc witch-doctor to gravely wound another wolf.

As you all brace for the wolves to presss their attack, a single howl echoes from the side of the hillock which is answered by several barks and yips by the other wolves. They then turn tail and flee away from you as fast as their legs can carry them. The wolf still entangled by the roots finally manages to wrest itself free and joins its pack mates.

Wolf #6 STR check vs. DC 14: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 success!

The wolves all take Full Withdrawal actions.

The barks and yips soon fade into the night and you are left alone once again.

COMBAT OVER! Well done!

With the attack over before the fetchling had a chance to wet his blade, Keil is a little irritated. He lashes out at one of the fleeing wolves in hopes of staining his blade, then, mutters curses in a language non of you have yet heard. While the others regroup Keil spits at the fleeing curs and sheaths his blade and waits for the group to assess the situation.

With his reach, Varg probably would have gotten an AoO or two. Really does not matter since I doubt they have much loot and were not pressing the attack.

Varg looks down at his companions, including the no longer as large Arlok.

Stupid dogs.

A few moments later the grey dwarf begins to shrink, changing back to his usual size.

Good fight all. Good defensive spot to fight.

Brok finds a place to set up camp.

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

"Seemed like something out there called them off. Could be that whatever it is wanted to test us." he says.

Varg nods his head:
Probably the big dog. He looked smart.

"Ah Arlok wanted doggy stew. Now Arlok eat dry ration again. Arlok ready to get rest now. Arlok think if big dog smart. Dogs come back. It is in open but keeping high ground good. Arlok think we camp here. What does goblin friend Brok think?"

What is the tree cover like here? I don't know, but eight ugly evil types lounging around at the top of a hillock for a whole day will probably draw some attention.

Actually you had just broken camp an hour earlier before the wolves attacked you, so you still can travel through the rest of the night.

You all travel on from the hillock unwilling to risk further appearances by the wolf and his pack. Fortunately, you do not see any signs it has followed or tracked you.

Soon after a long hard night of walking the early breaking dawn announces it is time for you to make camp. You find a suitable site in an area of gently rolling hills and are able to set up several lean-to to protect you from the glaring sunlight.

As you all settle in for the day, you take your assigned watches. Again, nothing troubles you during your watches.

Praetor, you heal 1 hp for resting.

Once the sun sets in the sky, you break camp ready to move on. The temperature is a tad warmer than the previous night which should make traveling more pleasant.

Go ahead and indicate on the Wilderness map the direction you wish to take.

"I say we go straight west, passing through the north edge of those woods and maybe making it to those low hills."

Varg listens to Brok and then looks at the map.

Maybe we investigate this on the way. Varg points to where the number 5 is inscribed on the map. We are going close. Better to know what is there, than to have them find us.

Not sure how to edit the map...straight line west past 5 to the interesting looking pair of hills ;)
Sucking back some liquid from his hip flask, Keil turns his head to face the goblin and duegar. The corner of Keil's lip curls as he squints one eye. Not wanting to waste time looking of trouble, the shadowy man wipes his mouth, The Barbazu devil does not require us to sight see Varg. If we must, it should be on the sly.

*slaps forehead* I suppose, "What does that number mean?" might have been a good question to ask Komm when we had the chance :/

Wolves move more quickly than I thought. Fire might be more effective than tangling plants if we run across any others.

After her rest and meditations, Malzii shoulders her pack, once again ready to continue onward. "Good plan," she nods at Keil. "Malzii agrees that we can 'sight see' later, after we finish what Komm sent us to do." Scoot, who sits on Malzii's shoulder, waves two of his legs and chitters in a manner that suggests agreement as well.

Chugs watches the wolves flee with barely disguised disappointment. Well, there goes dinner.

After a rather fitful night's sleep, Chugs furiously pores over his spellbook and rejoins the party. "I believe I must agree. As fun as a little detour might be, I'd rather get this over with."

Varg shrugs:
Don't blame me if enemies show up behind us.