Count of the March (Inactive)

Game Master djdust

Do you want to rest here now? It is just past high noon. This doesnt ever come up often, but Selja, what time of day do you pray for spells? Did you leave any slots open today?

I can keep going or take a power nap.

New spells in the morning, so it'll be a while yet. Let's press on!

I thought it was already late in the day, for some reason.

you spent the morning searching and hiking along the river to get to this spot. This was the first encounter of the day. Thats why I wanted to make sure :) Will move things along soon.

Although Túrante has an excellent idea of how to make a hospitable camp out of the semi-dry creek bed, it is decided to press further into the so-called 'True Queen's' territory.

You follow the creek from the confluence of the Verduran Fork north into the forest. About 20 minutes into the hike, Moira can feel the captive Slenderbill start to fight against his constraints, but he is unable to wriggle free. So he simply starts squawking repetitively, "Ca-caw! Intruders! Alert! Ca-caw! Ca-caw!"

The creek remains mostly dry, only a trickle of water flows through the sandy bottom. Just about the moment Slenderbill becomes unruly, you realize the reason why. Up ahead you can see someone has built an earthen damn across the creek bed. Looks like two more scaly green giants stand guard atop the damn. With a portable alarm system going off on one of your backs, the giants are alerted to your presence.

So alerted, the giants act first, throwing their pointy sticks.
F1, L2, M3, S4, T5: 1d5 ⇒ 4
Red Javelin-Range vs Selja FF: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 2 = 12
1d5 ⇒ 5
Blue Javelin-Range vs Túrante FF: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 - 2 = 13
dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
The first misses Selja, the second scratches Túrante.

Round 1: Bold May Act!
Giant, Red
Giant, Blue
Liamae
Túrante (5dmg)
Fenchurch
Selja
Slenderbill (13dmg, blind, captive)
Moira (3dmg)

Map is up! Slide 32!
Map notes: the sides of the creek bank are sloped and loose earth, so count as difficult terrain. The bottom of the creek bed is normal terrain. The wall of the dam is 10ft tall and is a DC 15 Climb check. The sides of the map are dense forest undergrowth.

Liamae moves forward and fires a ray of flame at the rightmost giant!

Fire Ray: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Damage: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1, 3) + 3 = 11

Touch AC so hopefully it hits!

The giant is surprisingly nimble for a creature that size. Must be that swimmer’s bod. Liamae’s ray fails to hit.

Fenchurch utilizes the full compliment of her move to hustle up the side of the creek bed.

Túrante and Selja may act!

Túrante advances cautiously, keeping her guard up as she slogs through the mire.

Move + total defense. AC goes to 20. Treated all movement through the swamp as difficult terrain.

I thought it was normal terrain unless you reach the sloped edge trying to climb up from the creek. I moved 20 feet accordingly, please correct me if I'm wrong.

"Shut up, idiot bird--do you really want to die?"

Selja moves forward once more, then conjures a ghostly glaive that begins striking at the foe on the right!
Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16; Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Let me clarify, if you’re moving straight up the creek towards the damn, no impediment to movement. If you’re moving laterally out of the ditch, that’s difficult terrain. So, Túrante, you can move up another 10ft, if you want. Again, the damn is an earthen wall 10ft high and requires a climb check.

Selja’s spiritual weapon just barely misses as she and Túrante advance.

From Moira’s backpack, Slenderbill caws out, "Die? Caw! The die is cast! The fates declare your misfortune! Ca-caw!"
Selja Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Selja shrugs off the witchcrow’s hex.

Round 1: Bold May Act!
Giant, Red
Giant, Blue
Liamae
Túrante (5dmg)
Fenchurch
Selja
Slenderbill (13dmg, blind, captive)
Moira (3dmg)

Phone post: can Slender use a targeted ability when blind? Would think it would follow spell rules where you have to see or touch the target.

Moira starts singing to inspire the team's courageous hearts and moves towards the enemy!

Has anyone played a Witch before? The Evil-Eye Hex specifically calls for a target that can be seen, but Misfortune Hex does not. Spells need a visual target, but I don't see an indication that Hexes do. If so, then all Slenderbill can do is squawk about annoyingly.

Updated position.

If the crow can hex while blind (and chooses to do so), well... the caw will turn into a coup.

I did my own forum digging, and my conclusion is: There are a few hexes that specifically call out a visual target. Most do not. Hexes are Supernatural Abilities (mostly, the exceptions are Extraordinary Abilities) and the big debate is how much do (Su)s behave like Spells. So, it is debatable whether Slenderbill can target Selja with a hex, but I think because he could hear her, and she’s within 30 ft, he could. He’s blind, but not totally senseless. Perhaps a Perception check was necessary to pinpoint her location, but, point is moot with her save, and because of her save, she can no longer be a target. So, game on.

The giants throw their second, and last, pointy sticks.
Red Javelin vs. Túrante: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Blue Javelin vs Liamae: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
dmg: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Túrante had her shield up and ready to catch the javelin. Liamae, however, had only a thin veil of silk to protect her. The javelin strikes true to terrible effect.

Round 2: Bold May Act!
Giant, Red
Giant, Blue
Liamae (12dmg)
Túrante (5dmg)
Fenchurch
Selja
Slenderbill (13dmg, blind, captive)
Moira (inspiring, 3dmg)

Liamae, Túrante, and Selja may act! Selja, I placed a dot on the map to represent the spiritual weapon, feel free to move it about

The ranger closes the remaining distance to her target and...

I'm sorry, I'm still confused by the map. The giants are 10' up on top of an earthen dam, is that it?

Yep, they're standing on the dam and you're at the bottom.

Liamae cries out in pain as the javelin impales her! She stumbles back a bit, reaching for a potion on her belt and drinking it to heal her wounds.

Potion of Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

... sheathes her sword as she starts to free up her hands for climbing.

Liamae takes the time to tend to her wounds.
Deducting 1 CLW from inventory.

Túrante bravely looks up at the not-so-jolly green giant towering directly above her. She will have to move nimbly up the wall to avoid those claws. You're safe from AoO this round, but moving up the wall at your position will incur.

Fench continues hustling along the side of the creek bed, trying to reach the giants in time. She shouts "your quarrel is with me, you ugly bastard!" or to similar effect. Challenge Blue.

Round 2: Bold May Act!
Giant, Red
Giant, Blue (challenged)
Liamae (7dmg)
Túrante (5dmg)
Fenchurch (challenge blue)
Selja
Slenderbill (13dmg, blind, captive)
Moira (inspiring, 3dmg)

Selja, you're up!

"Come and fight me, ya coward!" cries Selja--in Giant, no less. Behind her voice is a divine decree!

Casting command to make the foe nearer to me approach, Will DC15. If it does come, will probably draw an AOO from my glaive (and maybe Turante if she can AOO without a sword).
AOO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21; Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

"Come and fight me, ya coward!" cries Selja--in Giant, no less. Behind her voice is a divine decree!

Casting command to make the foe nearer to me approach, Will DC15. If it does come, will probably draw an AOO from my glaive (and maybe Turante if she can AOO without a sword).
[dice=AOO]1d20+8; [dice=Damage]1d10+4

No such luck, no Improved Unarmed Combat. I suppose in theory I could shield bash.

[dice=AOO]1d20+8; [dice=Damage]1d10+4

Don't forget inspire courage!

Oh yeah, Inspire Courage! So Selja rolls a 22 for 14 damage!

Giant Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
The giant snaps its attention from Túrante at his feet to Selja across the way,

Regardless of deliberations, one thing is clear. Slenderbill can definitely target Moira, as he knows exactly where she is.
"Ca-caw! Your doom is at hand, misfortunate one! No song can encourage you now! Ca-caw!"
Moira Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Moira suddenly feels unlucky.

Round 2: Bold May Act!
Giant, Red (commanded)
Giant, Blue (challenged)
Liamae (7dmg)
Túrante (5dmg)
Fenchurch (challenge blue)
Selja
Slenderbill (13dmg, blind, captive)
Moira (inspiring, 3dmg, misfortune)

With a heavy heart, Moira says, "You're a loyal servant to the queen, Slenderbill." She kills the bird. "Loyal and dangerous."

Coup de Grace

Auto-crit 2h inspired longsword: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (6, 1) + 8 = 15

DC 25 Fort save or dead

Shield bash AoO, inspired: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13

Túrante swings her shield awkwardly at the giant as it comes down off the dam, but she's in the wrong position and can't get in an effective strike.

needs a 20: 1d20 ⇒ 12
"Ca-caaaaaaack..." Slenderbill graces us with his presence no more.

Red Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Red Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
One giant leaps off the dam, clear over Túrante and her shield. He lands safely in the creek bed, and continues toward Selja who quickly cuts a gash across his torso. The pain seems to snap him out of his compulsion, and leaves him very angry and ready to strike.

The other giant takes a step toward Fenchurch and attacks with both claws.
Blue Claw vs Fench: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Blue Claw vs Fench: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Grab: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Fench gets raked, and the giant grabs hold.

Round 3: Bold May Act!
Giant, Red (14dmg)
Giant, Blue (challenged, grappled)
Liamae (7dmg)
Túrante (5dmg)
Fenchurch (challenge blue, 7dmg, grappled)
Selja
Slenderbill (run down the curtain and joined the bleeding choir invisible)
Moira (inspiring, 3dmg)

All may act!

Túrante pivots, draws her blade again, and steps into close combat with the giant that leapt over her head.

The flanking bonus only applies if Selja has a weapon in hand, b/c she has to be threatening the giant.

Dueling sword attack, flanking, inspire courage: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 23
Dueling sword damage, inspire courage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Oh yeah Selja, don't forget the Spiritual Weapon!

Moira tries to jump the creek to help Selja:

Acrobatics to Jump: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15

I think that worked! Somehow!

She then moves to help Selja, standing adjacent to her (and soaking an AOO if necessary).

Túrante cuts the giant across the back.

Moira valiantly leaps into the fray, but scrambles up the creek bank to get into position, making herself vulnerable to a giant's claw.
Red Claw AoO vs. Moira: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
The claw swipes the air above Moira's head, but she holds on to her hat.

Fench can do little else other than try to push herself out of the giant's grasp.
Fench CMB: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Her foot slips and she loses all her leverage, she remains grappled with the giant.

Round 3: Bold May Act!
Giant, Red (17dmg)
Giant, Blue (challenged, grappled)
Liamae (7dmg)
Túrante (5dmg)
Fenchurch (challenge blue, 7dmg, grappled)
Selja
Slenderbill (run down the curtain and joined the bleeding choir invisible)
Moira (inspiring, 3dmg)

Liamae and Selja are up!

Selja steps back and strikes at the giant in front of her!
Glaive, IC, flank: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 30; Damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

The spiritual weapon continues combat!
Spiritual Weapon (last round): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20; Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Spiritual Weapon (this round): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23; Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Liamae fires another burning beam at the red giant!

Fire Ray, Into Melee: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 4 = 17
Fire Damage: 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3, 1) + 2 = 7

The spiritual glaive pelts the giant holding Fenchurch, whil Liamae's beam burns it.

Selja slashes across the other giant again, and the giant falters, staggered from the pain and blood loss. Using his last ounce of strength, he lashes out at Selja.
Red Claw vs Selja: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
As he falls to the ground, he scratches Selja something deep.

Meanwhile, the other giant wrestles with Fenchurch.
Maintain Grapple: 1d20 + 12 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 5 = 34
With a swing of his mighty arm, he moves Fenchurch around and over the pond behind the damn.
Free chance to break the grapple: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 4 = 15
Struggle as she might, Fenchurch can not break free, and she falls into the pond with a splash.

At that moment, something else emerges from the water, having been waiting for its chance to strike. Another aquatic giant, this one with a finned and hunched back and large menacing tusks, attacks Fenchurch with full force.
Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
dmg: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
dmg: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Suddenly Fenchurch is in dire straits.

Round 4: Bold May Act!
Giant, Red (31dmg, unconscious, dying)
Giant, Blue (15dmg, challenged)
??? (swimming)
Liamae (7dmg)
Túrante (5dmg)
Fenchurch (challenge blue, 23dmg, half submerged)
Selja (6dmg)
Moira (inspiring, 3dmg)

Oh boy! All may act!

Túrante stows her sword and shield and steps up to the dam again, getting ready to try to climb it.

Selja fells the giant without needing any help, so Moira keeps singing, "Dam dam dam" , but inside she's thinking Damn, damn damn!!

She sheathes her longsword and moves to closest section of the slope, starting to climb as best she can...

Climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

I think that puts me on top, albeit to the southwest of the action.

So I think I got something wrong. I didn't think natural attacks suffer the underwater combat penalties, but it seems they do. So the damage from the claw should be halved. Fenchurch gets 5hp back.

Moira, as you are merely traversing the sloped banks of the creek, you don’t need a climb check, and thus no need to sheathe your weapon. It is merely difficult terrain. You can take another move action.

Oh heck yes. You want to take the easy way up too, Turante? I think you'd be up top with me, and with weapons in hand, instead of still climbing?

Moira scrambles up the slope, hoping to cross the dam before Fenchurch crosses into the light.

Selja tries to clamber up out of the river, then conjures a burst of purifying light over the still-standing monsters!

Burst of Radiance, Reflex DC16 or blinded 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds, otherwise dazzled.
Burst of Radiance damage vs evil: 5d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 2, 4, 3) = 17 +1 caster level due to Shadowplay racial trait.

The spiritual weapon makes one last strike before disappearing!
Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10; Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Giant Ref: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
??? Ref+Swimming: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 4 = 20
The divine beauty of Shelyn manifests in a burst of shimmering light between the giants, burning the evil inherent in them away. The giant standing on the dam falls. The one in the water gurgles in pain.
That’s turning out to be a very useful spell!

Fenchurch yells a battle cry and swings her axe.
Greataxe PA+IC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10
She cuts water pretty good, but little else. She then retreats out of the water, drawing an attack from the creature.
Bite AoO-Dazzled: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 1 = 22
dmg: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Round 4: Bold May Act!
Giant, Red (31dmg, unconscious, dying)
Giant, Blue (32dmg, unconscious, dying)
??? (swimming, 17dmg, dazzled 2)
Liamae (7dmg)
Túrante (5dmg)
Fenchurch (25dmg)
Selja (6dmg)
Moira (inspiring, 3dmg)

Liamae is up! Liamae, the creature is swimming in the water on the other side of the dam, so is out of sight for you where you currently stand.

Liamae moves up to Fenchurch and lays hands on her armor, bolstering it with her mental focus.

Using aegis to make Fen's armor +1 for 1 minute.

Giant, Red Stabilize: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 3 - 1 = 19
Giant, Blue Stabilize: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 - 2 = 14
The dying giants stop dying, but they're out of the fight.

The other climbs out the side of the pond, one foot in water, one on land. As it does, its wounds start healing on their own. Now that you can get a good look at it...

Round 5: Bold May Act!
Giant, Red (31dmg, unconscious)
Giant, Blue (32dmg, unconscious)
??? (12dmg, dazzled 1)
Liamae (7dmg)
Túrante (5dmg)
Fenchurch (aegis, 31dmg)
Selja (6dmg)
Moira (inspiring, 3dmg)

Bards Know Things: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Moira sings out, "It's a scrag! It will regenerate in water. We need to knock it down and kill it with fire!"

Edit: I don't have enough movement to reach the scrag this turn! Ignore the below...

Instead

Moira double moves to get between the scrag and Fench.

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Túrante manages to scramble up the side of the dam to the top, and starts moving toward the latest giant.

The scrag lashes out at Moira as she runs by.
Bite AoO-Dazzled: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 - 1 = 22
dmg: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Moira feels the pain of jutting tusks impaling her flesh.

Fenchurch grunts as Moira gets into position, and disregarding her own injuries, steps into a mighty swing of her axe.
Greataxe PA+IC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 = 22
PA dmg+IC: 1d12 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 1 = 19
Her axe cuts deep, yet the scrag still stands.

Round 5: Bold May Act!
Giant, Red (31dmg, unconscious)
Giant, Blue (32dmg, unconscious)
Scrag (31dmg, dazzled 1)
Liamae (7dmg)
Túrante (5dmg)
Fenchurch (aegis, 31dmg)
Selja (6dmg)
Moira (inspiring, 13dmg)

Liamae and Selja are up!

Selja moves toward the battle from her position, though it's a long way to go while towing her breastplate. Double move.

Liamae backs away and tries to cloud the scrag's mind!

The scrag is dazed for 1 round if the number of Hit Dice it possesses is less than or equal to or your occultist level. If it has more Hit Dice than your occultist level, it is staggered for 1 round instead. The foe can attempt a DC 16 Will saving throw to negate the effect. Whether or not it succeeds at the save, the target is then immune to this effect for 1 day.