Bright Morning's Reign of Winter (Inactive)

Game Master JankInTheTank

Easlis watches with amazement the release of trap and wonders how much amount of effort did the bandits put into setting up this trap which Nyalis and Grimgisli destroyed with so much ease.
"They certainly seem strong, I'll give them that. Making tree trunk traps and carrying a heavy chest like that in this unbearable cold. It really makes me wonder what would they gain from having the Lady prisoner, a ransom maybe? After proving that a rescue mission is of no use..."

He gives another go on following the tracks now that a new type of footprint has been added to the bunch paying no heed to the chest.

following tracks: 1d20 ⇒ 14

"I'm with you Easlis. C'mon gentlemen! I highly doubt there's much of interest in there seeing as it was meant to kill us. If you really want whatever rock they put in there, get it on the way back."

Diplomacy to convince the party to hurry up
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

"We should at least look inside the chest, " Nyalis says. "The bandits did miss the gemstones and jewelry in the wagon and there might be something else in here. It will be quick to do and we can be on the way in no time."

Nyalis rattles the chest and sees if he can lift the lid or otherwise get inside.

The human mumbles as he the elf talks about looting the chest. "Whatever." He works his way back down to the trail, and returns to following it as best he can.

Survival for tracking in a forest: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 22 +2 additional for tracking humans.

Nyalis opens the chest, which is not locked.

When Nyalis looks up, he sees that the rest of the party has already started down the path. following the tracks.

The tracks that Easlis saw look to be wolf tracks, and lead off deeper into the forest at a right angle from the trail of the human bandits.

If you are moving on (it appears to me that you are, unless Nyalis or Bazikian want to do something else here), please arrange yourselves in your marching order. I have put up a new map of a pathway. arrange how you would be walking to move towards the top-right corner

As the party heads out, Bazikian begins musing on what has occurred so far. "You know, I'm trying to figure out exactly why the lady has been kidnapped. They didn't look too hard for items of value, like the gems and jewellery, which are a much easier way to enrich oneself than taking a noble and trying to negotiate a ransom, so assuming it's not quick riches they're after, what could it be? Is it something specific about the lady herself? Could it be revenge, or some other more complicated reason?"

Nyalis would like to do more here but also doesn't want to get separated. I'm going to try to do something small, then catch up. If anything unusual happens, maybe a quick retcon?

Nyalis opens the chest to find nothing in there. "Maybe Brominate is right and this is just a distraction." "Yeah, nothing in here that I can see. " He looks at the chest, mostly trying to figure out if there is a false bottom or other secret compartment.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

After spending a few moments fiddling with the chest, Nyalis notices that the party has started to go further down the path. "Hey! Don't get too far ahead of me. We know it is dangerous here." Nyalis rushes to try to get caught up with the rest of the group.

Updated the map. Goal is to put Nyalis in the middle of the marching order.

As they leave the woods and enter into a strategic nightmare valley, Brominate stays close to the walls, trying to stay hidden, and keeping a sharp eye for attackers or traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 7 - 4 = 11

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

"Maybe they just haven't found the jewelry, or have been distracted while looting the carriage by whatever froze that poor fellow." Easlis responds, hoping that nothing more sinister was afoot.

The magus stays on the center of the pathway looking around for any signs of life in the snow.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

I've moved myself to the middle of the pack, so that I can reach everyone to give the buffs, and also so I'm not the first one attacked!

Also, just so everyone knows, I have an ability from my luck domain where, five times a day, I can give anyone "advantage" (as per 5e, roll twice and take the best) on a single d20 roll. So if you want that for an important skill roll, just let me know, happy to oblige.

Perception Grimgisli: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Perception Bazikian: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Perception Nyalis: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

The snow becomes increasingly deep in this part of the forest, where a windswept gully carves a path through a tree-covered ridge. A soft cascade of snow falls from an overhead branch, hissing softly as it strikes the ground.

The party is unable to see the danger lurking in the quiet, still, beautiful snow. As they pass by a large snow drift, a white-scaled creature bursts out from under the snow and launches itself at Easlis. The creature looks like some sort of combination of a snake and lizard with a dragon's head.

The creature bites and claws at Easlis

The creature pounces during the surprise round, which allows it to make its normal attacks plus rake attacks
bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 hit!

damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 11 damage Ouch, max damage...

grapple: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 Easlis is grappled

claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 hit!

damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 6 damage

claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Easlis is taken by surprise as one moment he is walking through the snow, the next he is being shredded by a dragon-like creature. the creature bites and grabs him, then scrapes him with its talons, still holding him up as he loses consciousness...

Round 1. Bold may act:
Grimgisli, Bazikian, Easlis, Brominate, Nyalis,
creature

Stat Tracker

Global Condition: None |

Global Condition:

Grimgisli HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:

Bazikian HP: 12/12 - AC: 17/11/16 Status:

Easlis: HP: -6/11 - AC: 15/11/14 Status: unconscious and dying

Brominate HP: 11/11 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:

Nyalis HP: 9/9 - AC: 16/13/13 Status:

NPCS:

Creature: HP: ??? | AC: ??? | status:

Always in the wrong spot when trouble strikes! Brominate thinks to himself. He works on getting around the creature so he can strike from behind. But all this cursed snow is hampering his movement.

Moved as far as I could in difficult terrain, and will try to remain unseen

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 Want to know how to kill it. Weaknesses, then defenses if I get more.

Pulling his bow around, Grim lets fly quickly enough, you're not even sure he drew the arrow . . ..

Bow w/ PBS: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"AAAHHH!" screams Nyalis in surprise, followed quickly by a "EASLIS, NOOOO!"

A dragon! You would think the villagers would mention that there was a dragon in the area.

Nyalis moves up to protect Nyalis and draws his cold iron longsword.

Map updated. Move action to move, then draw sword.

After all of the traps, Easlis was anticipating some form of an ambush, but haven't even imagined that a creature was lurking underneath the snow right under his feet. "Hello there beautiful ..." were the last words the magus spoke before falling unconscious from the byte of the monster. By the time the creature hit him with the claw Easlis was already in the dream world from the shock and the bite wound.

stabilizing: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 -6 =11

Well that was an unexpected turn of events. I'll be supporting you guys from the sidelines.

Brutal!

Bazikian steps behind the fallen Easlis, intending to heal him, but first he calls out to Desna to bless him and his companions.

Casting bless. +1 to all attack rolls for everyone :) Easlis, I'll get you up next round with a channel, hopefully.

Grimgisli reacts quickly to the sight of the Tatzlwyrm, locating it in the snow and firing an arrow that hits home

Brominate moves wide, trying to come in unseen and it does not appear that the Wyrm has taken any notice of him with so many closer targets with the modifiers it can't possibly roll high enough to spot you, you're hidden

The creature shrieks with pain when it is hit, dropping its first victim and turning its attention to the next closest enemy: Nyalis

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

grapple: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

It completely misses its lunge at Nyalis, leaving it open to a counter-attack!

Bold may act:
Grimgisli, Bazikian, Easlis, Brominate, Nyalis,

Tatzlwyrm

Stat Tracker

Global Condition: None |

Global Condition:

Grimgisli HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:

Bazikian HP: 12/12 - AC: 17/11/16 Status:

Easlis: HP: -6/11 - AC: 15/11/14 Status: stable

Brominate HP: 11/11 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:

Nyalis HP: 9/9 - AC: 16/13/13 Status:

NPCS:

Creature: HP: -8 | AC: 18| status:

I hope the plan is for you all to give this thing a beatdown from behind, with flanking, etc. If it is not, this post might not be so helpful and Nyalis should just try to hit it with Yulin's longsword.

"Get behind this thing and unleash your fury!" yells Nyalis to the rest of the group.

Then, in a language he has not previously spoken, "Wux geou ti sone ve naeck, vilklvi!"

Nyalis moves to the west 5' step, map updated and assumes a defensive position, trying to protect himself with the blade of Yulin's longsword. Total defense, +4 dodge bonus to armor class, effective AC should be 20.

"Fire! Anybody have a fire weapon? USE IT!"

The human draws another bead and lets fly again.

Bow w/ PBS: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Better than a miss!

Remember, you are in difficult terrain, so you would not be able to make a 5' step. feel free to retcon your turn, Nyalis, as moving to that location will open you up to a AoO

Grimgisli, Bazikian cast bless , which is +1 to everyone's attack rolls. Please add my buffs to your rolls so I feel like I'm contributing :)

Unsure of his ability to revive Easlis immediately, Bazikian instead moves to Grimgisli, reaching out and imbuing him with the luck of his goddess.

Using bit of luck - next turn you get to roll your attack twice and take the better result.

GM, I totally did forget about that and it does mess up my plan a bit. I guess I'll take the more standard approach. Brominate will need to take the long way around then.

What Nyalis *really* did...

Shouting to the group, Nyalis asks for some help, "Get Easlis away from the dragon! He will get caught in the blast if I try to use my fireball."

Nyalis taunts the dragon in its own language, "wux geou ti sone udoka naeck, vilklvi!"

Dodging away from the wurm's teeth and claws, Nyalis lashes out with Yulin's sword.

Attack, cold iron longsword, bless: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6
Damage, cold iron longsword: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Wow, that's terrible.

Brominate, beginning to really hate this snow, came around the long way and snuck up around the creature 'til he was directly behind it, Nyalis directly in front.

Used Move action and Standard action to move double my hampered speed...But am now in striking position, flanking, and unseen, and I didn't provoke any AoO

"Get Easlis away from the dragon! He will get caught in the blast if I try to use my fireball."

Gulp... It's really funny too see how the tables have turned.

Easlis also has a vial of alchemist's fire, but I'm not sure if it would be the best moment to use it.

Grimgisli is once again able to hit home on the Tatzlwyrm, but doesn't hit anything vital and the creature keeps fighting.

Tatzlwyrm perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Brominate's patience pays off, letting him move through even the difficult footing of the snow to get right up behind the creature. Nyalis draws its attention by speaking in draconic, but is otherwise unable to do anything to it.

The creature is angry and irritated by the arrows that keep hitting it, but it is unable to go after the archer now with the others right up in its face. It snaps its jaws at Nyalis again:

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 hit!

damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 4 damage

grapple: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Nyalis is bit by the wyrm, though not damaged nearly as badly as Easlis. still, the creature rapidly snakes around Nyalis, grappling him. Nyalis can feel the talons on the thing's forelegs ready to slice into him if he's not freed....

Bold may act:
Grimgisli, Bazikian, Easlis, Brominate, Nyalis,

Tatzlwyrm

Stat Tracker

Global Condition: None |

Global Condition:

Grimgisli HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:

Bazikian HP: 12/12 - AC: 17/11/16 Status:

Easlis: HP: -6/11 - AC: 15/11/14 Status: stable

Brominate HP: 11/11 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:

Nyalis HP: 5/9 - AC: 16/13/13 Status: grappled

NPCS:

Creature: HP: -11 | AC: 18| status: grappled

Brominate, finding his moment, strikes with his dagger, in a place he's hoping will hurt a lot!

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Sneak Attack: 1d8 ⇒ 5
Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

It must be this cold! he thinks to himself.

Gulp... It's really funny too see how the tables have turned.

Agreed, it's funny and ironic how things are working here. I just hope we live to tell about it.

On a different note, doesn't trying to grapple somebody provoke an attack of opportunity from the target of the grapple? Alchemist tanking isn't really the usual way to win battles but Nyalis might just stab the Tatzlwyrm in the eye as it tries to grab him. Going to wait to see if Bazikian keeps up with the bless or wades into battle.

If the creature has GRAB, then there's no AoO provoked. It is a side effect of a clean hit with the identified attack.

"I could really use some help, here, gentlemen. I don't know if I can put arrows in it fast enough to keep all of you alive!"

Grim adjusts his position while he talks, before letting another shaft fly.

Bow w/ PBS & Bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

And that should be a miss . . ..

Grim, Bazikian gave you bit of luck, so you can roll your attack roll twice and take the better result

You're right, I had forgotten that! See, he IS helping!

Bow w/ PBS & Bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 8

I'm not, but he is!

You're right, I had forgotten that! See, he IS helping!

I'm not, but he is!

Ha that second roll was karma for your cheekiness!

And Nyalis, the bless lasts for 10 rounds, but I think I'm just going to start channelling now that we have multiple folks with damage, particularly as I suck at melee. :/ As Easlis noted, this is getting a bit hairy!

Bazikian moves away from the combat somewhat and opens himself up to the light of Desna. A wave of positive energy bursts out from him, reaching Easlis and Nyalis, but stopping just short of the enemy creature.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Ha yep, I'm helping!

Grimgisli, Bazikian cast bless , which is +1 to everyone's attack rolls. Please add my buffs to your rolls so I feel like I'm contributing :)

I guess my attack roll was actually a 13, not 12. If it matters!

Bazikian wrote:

Grimgisli, Bazikian cast bless , which is +1 to everyone's attack rolls. Please add my buffs to your rolls so I feel like I'm contributing :)

I guess my attack roll was actually a 13, not 12. If it matters!

You never know, it might! Did you add +2 for flanking?

I was even paying attention. Thanks for catching that! I'm playing a rogue in my IRL campaign, but the rest of the party consists of a rougarou hunter, kasatha gunslinger, and halfling summoner. There's not a lot of flanking going on!

GM, whenever you reach Albuquerque, my attack roll was 15. I hope that's a hit!

Sounds good all, I think we're on the same page.

The tatzlwyrm snakes around Nyalis and keeps him tied up with its long claws digging into his leg. Ouch, ouch, ouch. I just may be dragon dinner yet, he thinks.

After the warm light of Bazikian's magic washes over the battlefield, Nyalis tries to get himself out of his predicament. He keeps taunting the wyrm in its own language, "wux tepoha ve vhira shar si mi ti eschoup ekess sone."

Nyalis then tries to stab at the wyrm with his sword, his job being made more difficult by being entagled by the dragon's body.

Attack, cold iron longsword. Flaking, blessed, grappled: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 4
Damage, cold iron longsword: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

NO, it looks like his job is being made difficult by bad dice rolls.

As much as I want to see the group succeed, if we're going to do some betting around here my money is on the Tatzlwyrm. And if the tides of bad luck/lesser good turn, we might need to set up camp.

Don't be so pessimistic - I'd take your bet for sure! Grimgisli has done 11 damage to it already, if Brom's 15 is a hit that takes its damage up to 18. Rolls have been terrible so far, whereas the tatzlwyrm has rolled pretty well. Sure, Nyalis may die, but surely this thing doesn't have hp in the high 30s... But yes, a rest is probably necessary. I'm almost tapped.

A rest in these conditions might kill a few people without combat. Just sayin'.

One step at a time, hey! Let's get rid of the beastie first, then deal with the weather!

Agreed, let's concentrate on getting the wyrm down. We have been almost comically bad at combat. Hopefully we can get in a max-damage crit or something to save us.

Mostly a tag while GM drives.

Sorry for the delay everyone!

Grimgisli fires well wide of the Wyrm, even with a blessing from Desna. Bazikian manages to heal a little bit of damage from his allies, but it does not seem to make a significant difference. Nyalis is also unable to do much with his sword while being held by the creature.

Brominate manages to get into the fight, however, landing a viscous stab in the creature's blind spot, causing it to shriek in anger. It turns its dragon eyes towards the rogue, but with a live creature in its grip it doesn't go after him yet.

maintain grapple: 1d20 + 9 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 5 = 33
bite damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

It then scrapes at Nyalis with its foreclaws

claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

crit confirm claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

claw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The tatzlwyrm crushes Nyalis with its jaws and slashes him with one claw, but the Elf's armor just keeps him alive. Seeing bigger threats closing in, the Wyrm drops his unconscious body and turns towards Brominate....

Bold may act:
Grimgisli, Bazikian, Easlis, Brominate, Nyalis,

Tatzlwyrm

Stat Tracker

Global Condition: None |

Global Condition:

Grimgisli HP: 12/12 - AC: 16/14/12 Status:

Bazikian HP: 12/12 - AC: 17/11/16 Status:

Easlis: HP: -5/11 - AC: 15/11/14 Status: stable

Brominate HP: 11/11 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:

Nyalis HP: -7/9 - AC: 16/13/13 Status: unconscious and dying

NPCS:

Tatzlwyrm: -18hp | AC 18 | Status:

Don't be so pessimistic - I'd take your bet for sure! Grimgisli has done 11 damage to it already if Brom's 15 is a hit that takes its damage up to 18.

If Brom's strike wouldn't have hit it would have been a lot messier. The way things are now, I think we might just make it.

A rest outside when you have severe wounds would probably not be the best idea but one option would be to take turns on resting in the carriage.

Your rolls as a collective have been pretty bad, but you have managed to do a lot to this thing. Easlis is right, if Brominate had missed his sneak attack things would be pretty bad right now... As it is I think you all might actually survive!

Grim says nothing as he draws, aims, and lets loose.

Bow w/ PBS & Bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Really? A 2 and then two 1s in a row?

Go get him, guys!

But he lets a curse out after he pulls his bow as he releases the arrow . . ..

Bazikian sees Nyalis fall, and Brom left alone to face the creature in hand to hand combat. The little gnome's face sets in an expression of grim determination, and he rushes forward, drawing his starknife, to stand over the body of his fallen friend and help Brom.

Was going to use total defence but looks like it's going for Brom. Hopefully the flanking bonus plus sneak damage gets us over the line!

Bazikian slashes at the creature as he reaches it.

Starknife: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Woo!

We may just make it yet, but it isn't pretty. Here's to trying to pull it out.

After the Tatzlwyrm drops him, Nyalis fights to maintain his hold on life.

stabilize: 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (15) - 7 = 8

Uh oh, that's not good!

So it looks like my earlier post didn't make it due to the site maintenance. So here it is again: Is Easlis currently conscious? If so, does he currently threaten the Wyrm? I ask because my thought is to use Acrobatics to move through a threatened area w/o provoking an AoO so I can be flanking with Easlis. If he's not awake, though, I won't bother. Also, the SRD doesn't specify. Is using acrobatics to move through a threatened area a standard action or move action. I figure standard because it's a skill check, but wanted to check.

you can use acrobatics during a move action. it reduces your speed, so in the snow you'll be at a quarter speed. However, both Nyalis and Easlis are unconscious and will not provide a flank

I just moved to provide flanking for you Brom. I tried to make that clear in my post but obviously didn't.

I just moved to provide flanking for you Brom. I tried to make that clear in my post but obviously didn't.

Well I had initially typed that out before your post. Mine didn't post because of the site being down. Then, I honestly didn't read yours before reposting my question. Sorry about that. But thanks for the flank!

Seeing the gnome who he valued as a true friend, annoying as he was at times, rushing forward with bravery to distract the creature, gave Brominate the focus he needed to strike swift and true! Zeke struck the wyrm with a beautiful looking starknife. It seemed to hurt a little; enough to cause the creature to focus on the new prey. I must return its attention me. You won't hurt my friend!

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 (I think it still counts as 1)
Sneak Stab: 1d8 ⇒ 2