DM Alexander Kilcoynes Serpents Skull PbP- Chapter 1, Souls for the Smugglers Shiv (Inactive)

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

Marcus stays where he is until he sees or hears something.

Think that commencing an attack when not all of us know it is happening may be problematic but hopefully we will hear if there is a problem. We should start up anyway sooner or later someone is going to fail a stealth check.

Will update this afternoon/evening- busy day for my third year project today.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

One of the cannibals immediately succumbs to the magic mid sentence, falling asleep and banging his head on the hard cauldron. The other cannibal, the one closest to you, resists the spell and seems to recognise that what happened to his friend is a bad thing, and stands up, hands to his mouth as though about to signal his fellow cannibals...

Note- the guard tower does not have line of sight to this campfire, as far as you know.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 Cannibal initiative.

Chi, Ambroze and Tun'ada- if you can beat the cannibal's initiative you may take a surprise round action to silence him before he alerts the camp.

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Thinking quickly, Ambroze hums a discordant tone and points at the cannibal that resisted his Sleep spell, hoping to delay the savage's call long enough to allow Chi and Tun'ada to neutralize him.

Cast Daze on the cannibal that remains awake: subject can take no actions for 1 round; Will DC 13 negates.

"Abroze, just because you can see two of them, doesn't mean there are't more round the corner." whispers Chi into Ambroze's ear. She appears agitated. "If someone sees them fall to the ground, we would be announcing our arrival. We don't want to loose the element of surprise." Chi shifts from one foot to another as she continued to whisper. "We must fight with our head and strength, not just our instincts."

Is Chi spending her surprise round to berate Ambroze? :)

Is Chi spending her surprise round to berate Ambroze? :)

Heh, seems so! xD!

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The cannibal abut to cry out an alarm falters for a moment, but this solution will clearly only be temporary...

Tun'ada and Chi, roll init and take any actions you wish to stop the cannibal (if you wish you can just tell Ambroze off some more :D).

Init Order-
Ambroze- 21 (Acted)
Cannibal- 14 (Dazed)
Chi- ?
Tun'ada- ?

Initiative:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 Just barely beat him :)

Tun'ada rushes in to silence the savage permanently.

Free Action - Rage, Surprise Round (partial) charge.

Attack (claw):1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 = 16 (charge)
Damage:1d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Tun'ada's claw rams into the cannibal just after Ambroze dazes him, but the savage is not so easily felled- even with Tun'ada's claw embedded in his shoulder he is still standing.

Chi is up, regardless of her init count. Roll anyway though as if the savage survives your action initiative order will remain important.

It seems I forgot to refresh the browser or the browser was having a moment, it didn't show that Ambroze had already started his actions and we'd gone into the combat, still no harm done thankfully..

Init 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Chi looks across at the cannibal and moves out of cover, with her eye that seems black as night, drawing the creature into a sleep. She cackles quietly hoping to induce a deeper sleep.

Move to be within 30ft, then use Sleep Hex, will save DC 15, failure means sleep 4 rounds.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Assaulted by various enchantments, the cannibal succumbs to Chi's hex.

Savarend please make me a perception roll at a -5 penalty. Gwenyth and Marcus, make one at a -4. If you hit DC5, you've heard the scuffle. I have another thing about to happen but i'd like Savarend to make this roll first.

1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 - 4 = 16

Gwen did you hear that?

Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Ah, at last! They've started!

Tun'ada and the gang have little time to celebrate their success. To the west of Tun'ada a door bursts open, revealing two savages attracted by the noise of the scuffle. They cry out in alarm (this is audible to everyone) and raise their rusty scimitars to attack... Tun'ada, behind them you can also make out the red-haired leader- he seems to be garbed in chain mail armour this time rather than just his clothing, and he is holding a potion in his hand, he quickly quaffs it, ordering his savages to attack in his pidgin Infernal tongue... Tun'ada, you can also make up a nasty looking lizard tethered to a tree on the approach to the camp- it seems your sojourn evaded at least one guard...

Initiative Rolls-
Savages- 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Klorax the Red- 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Savarend- 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Chi- 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Marcus- 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Gwenyth- 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Tun'ada- 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Ambroze- 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Ordered Initiative-
Klorax the Red (acted)- 23
Savarend- 22
Gwenyth- 20
Marcus- 14
Tun'ada- 12
Chi- 12
Savages- 12
Ambroze- 9

Map Update (includes what Tun'ada can now see...)-
Link

I'm using the AP's map and squares with a bit of careful fiddling.. thus the co-ordinates do not line up exactly. If in doubt, tell me in squares where your moving to (three squares north, two squares west etc...)

"Heeeyah!" The dwarven marine kicks open the door to the skeleton pen, striding toward the savages. He draws his crossbow and takes aim.

Move to -T23, draw light crossbow while moving. Attack bandit at -S15.

Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Damage 1d8 ⇒ 3

The bolt flies true into the savage's upper thigh, and the cannibal's eyes narrow as he licks his lips- pointing to his mouth and his belly while glaring intently at Savarend.

Double move as close as I can get.

Noted- you end your turn in the square north-east of Ambroze's current position.

Not wanting to put himself in a position to be flanked easily by his attackers, Tun'ada waits for the savages to come to him.

Ready an attack vs. the first savage to reach me.

Readied Claw:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Damage:1d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Gwen to keep things moving i'm going to assume you double move to the action- feel free to retcon if thats not ok as I don't think it will affect the savages turn.

Gwenyth moves to the edge of the treeline, just in time to see a savage hurl himself at Tun'ada, while his ally wakes one of the sleeping cannibals. Tun'ada's attacker hits only the air with his shoddy weapon as Tun'ada neatly ducks under the blow and stabs a claw into the cannibals torso. Almost at the same instant, the door to the building to the north crashes open and the two savages from the watchtower come running out, screaming war cries and running at Savarend and Tun'ada. The savage woken up stands up groggily and moves to engage Tun'ada, drawing a rusty scimitar as he approaches.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Miss vs Tun'ada

Map-Link

Too far from the action to help, Marcus yells We need to form a line! Tunáda I'm coming.

Round One:
Ambroze moves closer toward Tun'ada's battle with the cannibals and casts a spell to make the ground slippery beneath the feet of two of the savages.

Move action to square just NW of Gwenyth - this should give Ambroze a good view of the cannibals to the west of Tun'ada. Standard action to cast Grease on a 10-ft square just west of Tun'ada - this should catch both of the cannibals to Tun'ada's W and NW. The savages must make a Reflex DC 14 or fall. They can walk within the greased area at half speed with a DC 10 Acrobatics check - failure means they can't move that round (and must then make a Reflex save or fall), while failure by 5 or more means they fall.

Round One:

Chi sees the native wake, winking at the man sending waves of blackness into his heart and cackles at him.

Evil Eye at native (R,20) Will save DC=15, -2 attack rolls for 2 rounds (1+cackle), fail for 8 rounds(7+cackle).

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Will save success
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 Reflex save failure
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 Reflex save failure

The cannibal is made of stern stuff, but Chi's malevolence still grips his heart and fills him with doubt, the blade in his hand seeming heavy and useless against his foes. The two cannibals caught in the greased area both fall, cursing in Infernal.

Round 2-
Klorax the Red (acted)- 23
Savarend- 22
Gwenyth- 20
Marcus- 14
Tun'ada- 12
Chi- 12
Savages- 12
Ambroze- 9

Map Update (after Klorax's turn)-Link

Klorax pulls a second potion from a small belt pouch and drinks it to no visible effect. Bellowing war cries and slamming his beautiful scimitar aganst his shield, he moves into melee with Tun'ada, scornfully stepping over his sleeping comrade. Klorax appears to be in a frenzy, and on the verge of launching a brutal attack...

Edited to fix descriptions and add map update.

Minor map correction: Ambroze moved to the square NW of Gwen's current position.

Roger. Noted for next map update.

"The Cat Crossing the Courtyard" Savarend lashes out with his fists and feet at the unruly savage.

FoB on savage in -T22.

Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Don't think Gwen's action will affect mine.

Marcus moves up to support Tun'ada and drinks a potion of shield of faith. Think thats puts me 5' se of him but I can't re-check the map.

Tun'ada fall back with me, we'll take them together!

To Klorax he hurls some of his half-learned insults in Infernal. Perhaps taking some liberties here.

Tun'ada withdraws back 10ft to form a line with Marcus.

Tun'ada should be in -O19, Marcus would be in -O20

Chi moves towards Tun'ada as she speaks old and ancient words of defensive power. She touches Tun'ada on his back and a flow of white energy surrounds him, providing extra protection.

Move to N,19, cast Mage Armour on Tun'ada, +4 Armor Bonus for 2 hours.

Your action for me was fine, AK. Thanks for keeping things moving.

Gwen blows a breath out and focuses on Marcus - his well-being, his life-force. She wills it's preservation, vowing to take his wounds on herself, if only her friend's life might be spared.

Standard Action: Form Life Link with Marcus.
Move Action: Move to M-19, drawing her crossbow as she goes.

edit: I said Tun'ada for the life link initially, Marcus might be a better choice. So, Marcus.

Move to N,19, cast Mage Armour on Tun'ada, +4 Armor Bonus for 2 hours.

Just a note- it doesn't stack with Tun'ada's studded leather armour so its only providing a +1 bonus (+4 over +3).

Savarend's first blow hits the savage hard in the chest, and the second slams into him as a result of the savage being off balance from the charge. The cannibal drops hard, bleeding internally from massive blows to the abdomen.

Hey Tanner- you a Robert Jordan fan or was that reference accidental?

Gwenyth forms a life link with Marcus, who moves to step alongside Tun'ada as the latter falls back. Chi augments Tun'ada's existing protection with a shimmering, invisible force. The savage that Chi evil eyed hesitates, unwilling to commit himself to melee. He wakes up the sleeping savage beside him instead, and the pair move to engage the Dwarf flanking on the other side of the fight, holding up their shields warily while they engage the dangerous monk. The leader of the cannibals looks outraged at Marcus' clumsy insults, and barks strange orders to his savages in his pidgin tongue. A savage engages Tun'ada, beginning the dance of combat with him. The scimitar blow is predictable but quick, Tun'ada is unable to dodge the blow completely but his armour protects him from more than a bruise. The two savages that were in the grease stand up carefully, one manages to get away from the grease and stand ready for orders near the campfire while the other almost falls over again, carefully maintaining his balance atop the slippery surface.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Miss vs Tun'ada

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Fail (but not by more than 5)
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 Pass

Ambroze is up, then a map update.

Very much so, yes. The entire Wheel of Time series rests on a shelf above my bed. I've been waiting forever for the last two books to release following his untimely death. I've been getting the names for all of Savarend's martial arts moves from HERE. It's a WoT RP site. I don't play there, but I do use the materials they publish quite frequently.

I see- big fan myself too. What RP system do they use over there to simulate all the stuff?

They don't use a gaming system, it's literally all roleplaying. Kind of like collaborative fan fiction, but you only play your own character.

I also have the d20 WoT RPG, which is awesome in its own right.

Never been a big fan of freeform myself, but to each to their own :).

I'm not a fan of it either. I just borrow their material ;)

The really nerdy thing to say would be that that stance is used to describe a form of walking rather than attack.... but um we wouldn't want that....

And if you want a rough guess of my age I've read every book in the series year it came out....its been a long wait.

The really nerdy thing to say would be that that stance is used to describe a form of walking rather than attack.... but um we wouldn't want that....

Heh, I knew that too... I just didn't say it ;).

Round Two:
Seeing that Tun'ada and Marcus have matters well in hand (at least momentarily), Ambroze rushes around the small building to where he can hear Savarend battling more savages.

Double move around the hut to get to a position where Ambroze can see Savarend's battle. Double move (40 ft) should place Ambroze 2 squares East of Savarend's position.

Round 3-

Initiative-
Klorax the Red- 23
Savarend- 22
Gwenyth- 20
Marcus- 14
Tun'ada- 12
Chi- 12
Savages- 12
Ambroze- 9

Map Update (after Klorax's turn)-Link

Klorax moves into the gap to stand opposite Marcus, taking a huge, wild swing at the mercenary with his scimitar. The savage leader is clearly an incredibly skillful warrior, fighting in a powerful frenzy but still seeming able to read Marcus' moves. The scimitar cuts deeply into Marcus' abdomen, causing the red-headed leader to howl in delight at Marcus' pain...

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27 VS Marcus AC
1d6 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18 Damage

Note- I expect you and Gwen to monitor and track your life link, I won't be doing it.

Owchie. Assume he is fighting scimitar and shield?

Yup! And wearing a suit of chainmail with the symbol of the ruling house of Cheliax built into the links.

I will monitor the life link, and ensure that HPs are adjusted appropriately.

On Gwen's turn:

Gwen gasps suddenly, as she sees that the Gods have taken her prayer to heart. She feels her own life-force being sucked out of her even as she sees a few of Marcus's wounds closing.

Marcus: Heal 5hp

She cooly collects herself and calls out a familiar prayer to the heavens:

Aie Aerdian!! Vaalen a din Niwaste!!

Standard Action: Cast Bless

+1 to attack rolls and Saving throws against fear, folks!

Round 3

"Tun'ada, would you or Marcus appreciate being a bigger more powerful person." Chi asks loudly above the sounds of battle. Before she looks with black malevolence at the cannibal attacking Tun'ada and cackling insanely.

Evil Eye vs P,19, Will Save DC 15, -2 to hit, fail 8 rounds, succeed 2 rounds.

Its too tight here Chi! Marcus exclaims, barely managing to take one of the leader's lunges on his shield.

I'll hold him. Work your ju ju on him!

Unaware that Gwen's healing is hurting her at the same time, Marcus continues to taunt Klorax attacking him with both hands. Power attacking.

1d20 + 7 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 1 + 1 = 181d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 Edit: +1 damage for whestone if that hits

1d20 + 4 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 1 + 1 = 171d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

AC 23

Seeing Klorax as the greatest threat, Tun'ada rakes at the savage leader with his claws.

Right Claw:1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 = 28
Damage:1d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Left Claw:1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 1 = 18 (bless)
Damage:1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

I can't tell what the pink triangle means. Unconscious? Here's a coup de grace in case it means unconscious, then a regular attack.

Coup de grace

Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Fortitude DC 21 vs death.

Regular attack

FoB

Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

I'm using purple triangle for Evil Eyed, unconcious/incapacitated is a red circle as always.

Savarend strikes another savage twice, but doesn't quite fell his chosen foe despite the bruising he gives the man. Gwenyth blesses the group does it reach Savarend? while Marcus launches an assault with blade and shield- Klorax's set of Cheliax made chainmail armour catching the attacks and rendering them harmless. Tun'ada's right claw cuts into Klorax, cutting him for minor damage. Chi's gaze, infused with magic, withers the savage attacking Tun'ada.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Will failure

The savage attacking Tun'ada presses the assault, scoring a lucky blow on Tun'ada with a clumsy lunge. The two savages not involved in a melee hurl Javelins over the battle, targeting the witch. One Javelin gets stuck in the side of the building, the result of a poor throw; but the other hits Chi high in the shoulder. The two savages taking on Savarend shift their position, rusty scimitars hacking and slashing and one of the blows slashing Savarend across the arm.

VS Tun'ada-

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Crit?
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 Unconfirmed
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Damage

VS Chi-

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Miss
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Hit
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Damage

VS Savarend-

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Hit
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Damage

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 Miss
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Ambroze is up.

VS Tun'ada-

1d20+1 Crit? => 21
1d20+1 Unconfirmed => 17
1d6+2 Damage => 6

Alex, as much as I hate to say this, a 17 would confirm the crit on Tun'ada because he is raging without a shield. (Current AC 16 including the extra +1 from Mage Armor).