DM B's PFS PbP Game Day 3: S0-13 The Prince of Augustana (Inactive)

Game Master Beckett

I'm not opposed to rigging an explosive, but Mors would prefer it be one we can detonate when we want ... not one that goes off automatically when they arrive.

”Bullies,” Mors agrees, ”that’s exactly right.” He looks over at Mahd with a flat stare, ”And I could give a rat’s ass who thinks who’s a coward. I’m gonna give Randalan one chance to walk away and never come back … if he refuses, then he gets what he gets.”

He looks around at how the group is arranging themselves, and his eyes drift to Mandower, Mahd, and his old friend Thad. Then he points to the gap to his left, ”If they get the jump on us, they could bum-rush through this gap. One of you wanna hold my flank?”

Holding this entry works best if we can bottle them up (which should allow Leb to make the most of his splash bombs). If no one stands in that little pocket just north of Mors, and the baddies win initiative and rush through, they can move unchecked into our back ranks. Could one of the front-liners be in that position just north and adjacent to Mors? If not, we need to modify our approach here.

DM Beckett, did that Know: local roll reveal anything about Randalan?

I will cast my shield then move up and attack. Yes we should rig the door way.

Mahd looks at Mors and mumbles "Weakling" in Orc.

He turns to the others, fingers his blade and says

"No mercy if they want it they can have it."

Mahd looks at Mors and mumbles "Weakling" in Orc.

"No mercy if they want it they can have it."

"What's that, lad? I couldn't quite make that out."

Are you saying that you're going along with Mors' attempt at diplomacy first, or you're planning to rush in headlong and fight them all by yourself? I couldn't quite tell, without punctuation.

Mahd, I'm certainly not telling you not to pre-buff Shield now, but we don't currently have an enemy here, and that's only a 1-minute buff. Might be smart to wait until we have Randalan here with us to use that spell. I'm certainly going to wait for him to show up before Mors casts Divine Favor ... I want to make the most of it during the fight.

Mors quirks an eyebrow at the elf, but otherwise ignores the insult.

"Oh, very well - leave the petulant child to his tantrum. I would hope the rest of you can see the value of sound strategy over reckless... flailing about. I will stand with Mors."

Moving to fill the gap next to Mors, Thaddeus prepares an extract for the coming battle. With a flourish, he gestures to the doorway and prepared killing ground beyond, motioning for the elf to charge forth. His wicked grin beams with the schadenfreude to come.

"Elf, do give my regards to the afterlife."
 
 
 
Retty, the spot south of Mors is now open, if you want it; one-way cover and melee options.

Mahd, I'm certainly not telling you not to pre-buff Shield now, but we don't currently have an enemy here, and that's only a 1-minute buff. Might be smart to wait until we have Randalan here with us to use that spell. I'm certainly going to wait for him to show up before Mors casts Divine Favor ... I want to make the most of it during the fight.

Mors quirks an eyebrow at the elf, but otherwise ignores the insult.

Of course when they show up I will, cast my shield that is why I was back a step.

Just making sure. PbP can be tricky. I just wanted us all on the same page. :)

If someone wants to move me one south of Mors please do so. I can't get the map tools to work from the iPad and won't be back at my desktop until tonight

Done

well, now the enemy can't go anywhere now, but if we have ranged attackers, they can't get a clear shot either. But it looks like none of us are ranged attackers.

Well, Retty has a sling, Leb throws bombs in 20' increments, and I have 10' reach with my spear. I even have some flasks I would have used, but I'm apparently the only one willing to hold the doorway with Mors.

"In that case, if you'd care to swap places Mandower, I think Leb and I could handle any more nasty surprises like we saw in our first encounter with these thugs."

I am willing to trade places with Retty.

Mors shrugs at Mandower, "I'd rather keep Leb protected. He can throw past us." He looks back at Leb, "Unless you disagree."

If we can maintain a solid front line, the only thing I'm really worried about is AoE's coming from the baddies. But we don't know if we're dealing with that or not, so I'd prefer to err on the side of keeping our softer teammates protected while they do their thing. I'm open to other ideas.

Of course, I also just want to get this going so we can spill some blood. >:D

[ooc]I think Lebb and Retty should be in the back. And I should be where Retty is.[\ooc]

"Let's just do this"

Retty moves back to allow Mahd to take position where he suggested, then sheathes his offhand dagger to draw the dagger he picked up from the thugs earlier.

"I got no problem killing what needs killing, and we probably will be doing good to protect this Almsman. However, I don't like simply taking the word of a beggar we found in the sewers, without at least giving their enemy a chance to talk."

Pre-emptive diplomacy roll for when the enemies show up.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Also, would knowledge local tell me that the thugs which attacked us earlier also worked for Randalan?

Know Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Retty moves back to allow Mahd to take position where he suggested, then sheathes his offhand dagger to draw the dagger he picked up from the thugs earlier.

"I got no problem killing what needs killing, and we probably will be doing good to protect this Almsman. However, I don't like simply taking the word of a beggar we found in the sewers, without at least giving their enemy a chance to talk."

Pre-emptive diplomacy roll for when the enemies show up.

nice, but considering we all have weapons drawn, not sure how well diplomacy would work, even if it was that high.

Not expecting much, but still better than opening up with a full attack.

Ok, sorry, had a face to face game yesterday that lasted all day, and then had to record a podcast.

You find that you have plenty of time to make plans, as it's well over an hour before you hear any word of the gang. When you do, it begins as a group of loud-mouthed and very crude individuals approaching, joking about what they plan to do to the beggars and homeless if they can't pay up and past examples they have made.

Laughter and footsteps can be heard approaching from the west. A voice calls out “Almsman! What say you? Are you resisting or giving us what we want? I hope you’re resisting!”

Right now, they are around the corner outside. I wasn't sure of a few things before we move on.
1.) Are you closing and reinforcing the main door?
2.) Do you have weapons drawn or not?
3.) Are you going to try to negotiate?
4.) Was any attempting to hide?

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (18) + 7 + (6) = 31

Thaddeus pass along the rumors he's heard about the gang.

(Check the spoiler.)

Thad most definitely has his spear in hand.

Retty doesn't see a tactical value in hiding, and given the knowledge and their banter is no longer interested in diplomacy. Sling is drawn with melee weapons sheathed.

"Ok guys, they don't sound like their worth talking down. I stand for the Almsman."

Weapons Drawn, Shield(spell) readied.

He looks at Mors and says

"I'm gonna show you weaklings how its done."

I say door closed but unlocked.

Mors stands—bastard sword held casually, shield stowed—and glowers at the door standing between himself and Randalan's gang. He nods to Retty before raising his voice.

"Randalan! You sh!t-eating dog-fvcker! This is the last time you're gonna bother the Almsmam! It's also the last chance you'll get to walk away easy ... cause if you set foot in here, we're gonna ram three-and-a-half feet of steel up your ass! I'm guessin' that walkin' away'll be a bit tougher after that!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Then he whispers a few words, readying for the likely fight.

Cast Divine Favor

Leb waits behind the others with a bomb in his hand.

Are we gonna rig the door, we should rig the door

I have my starknife in one hand, and have officially readied my shield spell.

[b]"Oh my sound like Mors might actually have a pair."[\b]

Turns to Leb and says

[b]"Hey shorty why don't you rig that door already."[\b]

"Your call, Leb," Mors says without taking his eyes off the door, "but the time for riggin' the door might'a passed already. I say just light 'em up when they come through."

Leb ignores the elf and just stands there with a bomb in his hand.

"Randalan! You sh!t-eating dog-fvcker! This is the last time you're gonna bother the Almsmam! It's also the last chance you'll get to walk away easy ... cause if you set foot in here, we're gonna ram three-and-a-half feet of steel up your ass! I'm guessin' that walkin' away'll be a bit tougher after that!"

Thad glances sideways at Mors with an amused smirk. "Taking the diplomatic route, I see..."

Edit: I missed Mors address, earlier.

I have weapon drawn but pointed at the floor to have it ready but not look hostile.
Negotiation I'm up for.

Right now, they are around the corner outside. I wasn't sure of a few things before we move on.
1.) Are you closing and reinforcing the main door?
2.) Do you have weapons drawn or not?
3.) Are you going to try to negotiate?
4.) Was any attempting to hide?

On th off-chance you're still waiting for clear answers to these before pushing forward...

No, it happened again, I kept trying to post yesterday and the site was down. It's getting frustrating.

From behind the door, you can hear the gang of thugs advancing, and the watchmen outside speak the same greeting as before, offering sanctuary to all at the cost of peace, but before the old man is able to finish, he is cut short and there is a loud "thud" on the door.

I say door closed but unlocked.

Mors stands—bastard sword held casually, shield stowed—and glowers at the door standing between himself and Randalan's gang. He nods to Retty before raising his voice.

"Randalan! You sh!t-eating dog-fvcker! This is the last time you're gonna bother the Almsmam! It's also the last chance you'll get to walk away easy ... cause if you set foot in here, we're gonna ram three-and-a-half feet of steel up your ass! I'm guessin' that walkin' away'll be a bit tougher after that!"

In a mocking voice, a man responds "It looks like tha lil' beggars managed to hire some muscle. It's okay. Lil pigs, all holed up, . . . KNOCK KNOCK!" he shouts as suddenly something massive strike the door, bursting through it. On the other side, you see five humans. Their leader stands in the back, with a whip in one hand and a vial in the other. The four in front of him, a mix of male and female thugs bash through the door with a single battering ram, then drop it, step forward, and grab large chains. It looks like they have woven nails, scrap metal, and other sharp pieces of whatever was lying around into the chains, and each also wears simple thrown-together leather armor.

"Ah," says the leader, "isn't that better. Now we can talk face to face. Now, ya gonna pay up or, oh, just kill 'em."

Readied spells can go off.

Round 1

Mahd () & Mandower ()
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Randalan ()
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Thaddeus () & Leb ()
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Thug 1 (), Thug 2 (), Thug 3 (), & Thug 4 ()
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Mors (), Retty (), Mahd (), & Mandower ()

looks like I fight anyway. I pop a rage. then step into melee. str now 21

hit: 6 + 1d20 ⇒ 6 + (6) = 12 ouch, but it is vs ff, so that may account for something.
dmg: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 4) + 7 = 16 blunt damage with his earthbreaker at the one in front of me. ac now 13 due to rage. Fort to 6, will to 1. HP:17/17

Sheilds ups Sulu

Not sure if shields go off during or before combat

As the door breaks, I cast sheild.

As Randalan finishes talking I charge my starknife as a swift action and attack thug 2, and say

"Time to get it wet."

Starknife: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 161d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Not sure if shields go off during or before combat

Casting Shield is a standard action, so it will go off this round - but you don't get an attack this round, as well.

Mahd Gajol wrote:

Not sure if shields go off during or before combat

Casting Shield is a standard action, so it will go off this round - but you don't get an attack this round, as well.

I was not sure if it went off before combat or during.

It can go off before combat, as technically it took them 2 rounds to break through the door.

Mandower steps up and cleaves straight through the woman in front of him, nearly slicing her fully in two, while just to his side, Mahd indeed "gets it wet" leaving the man nearest him with a nasty gash on the shoulder. From the rear, Randalan begins to issue nasty taunts, and as the blows begin, crude humor meant to infuriate you into rash actions (Bardic Performance).

Round 1

Mors (), Retty (), Mahd () & Mandower ()
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Randalan ()
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Thaddeus () & Leb ()
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Thug 2 (-4), Thug 3 (), & Thug 4 ()
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Mahd (), & Mandower ()

Leb rares back and throws the flask he's been holding as hard as he can.

aiming for a direct hit on Thug #3.

bomb (ranged touch): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 2) + 4 = 11 5 splash, DC 14 for 1/2

As Mahd and Mandower rush into the killing zone, Thadd immediately sees that he and Mors are left effectively bottlenecked. Letting out choice curses in a multitude of languages, he summons a shield drinks the contents of his vial, and awaits an opening.

I forgot I don't cast!

Use extract: Shield

I thought extracts could only be used by alchemists.

Check out the Investigator class.

Oh one of those new Hybrid classes, I thought it was an inquisitor archetype.

Thaddeus better protects himself, as Leb hurls a small concoction, slamming right into the woman's chest, and then engulfing the area around her.

She falls to the ground, a burnt husk that begin to curl up in a small ball, while the others are mostly able to avoid most of the damage.

2 Reflex: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3 <Fails>
4 Reflex: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15 <half>
R Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 <half>

The two remaining gang members step up, swinging their spiked chains at the defenders before them, but try as they might, even with their leader inspiring them to ferocity, they simply can not land a solid blow.

Attack vs Mahd (AC 20): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 <miss>
Attack vs Mandower (AC 13): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 <miss>

Round 1&2

Mors (), Retty (),// Mahd (), & Mandower ()
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Randalan (-3)
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Thaddeus () & Leb ()
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Thug 2 (-10) & Thug 4 (-3)

Mors's face darkens to silent fury as his teammates break their defensive wall as well as the plan. He grounds his blade and waits.

Delay.

Retty gleefully giggles at Mors's verbal exchange with Randalan, but lets his expression darken as the thugs burst into sight.

"Guess its time to get down to business"

Retty throws a dagger at Thug 2

1d20 ⇒ 10 for Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Roll includes penalty for lacking precise shot, throwing a common dagger instead of my masterwork one.

still raging Mandower strikes hit: 6 + 1d20 ⇒ 6 + (18) = 24
dmg: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 1) + 7 = 12 blunt with his earthbreaker.
and if the person dies, Mandower will move to get behind number 2, even though that means aoos.

If Mandower's Attack drops his target, Mors will come off delay.

When Mandower punches a hole in the opposing line, Mors wastes no time in following him through. He plants himself squarely in front of Randalan, then vents his fury with a ferocious two-handed strike.

Bastard seord: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
damage: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Mors holds back, disgruntled while Retty flings a dagger, but it is knocked aside by the thug just in time. <Mahd acts

Seeing an opportunity, Mandower claims another victim, cutting the man down with ease, then moves behind, allowing other to advance.

AoO: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 <miss>

Round 2

Mors (Delay), Retty (),// Mahd (), & Mandower ()
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Randalan (-3)
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Thaddeus () & Leb ()
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Thug 2 (-10) & Thug 4 (-3)

Mahd hits thug #2

Starknife: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 221d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

If thug #2 dies I make an acrobatics check to get behind Randalan, If not I five foot step diagonal to the upper right.

Mors holds back, disgruntled while Retty flings a dagger, but it is knocked aside by the thug just in time.

Seeing an opportunity, Mahd claims another victim, cutting the man down with ease, as Mandower quickly follows suite, slaying the other, then moves behind, allowing other to advance.

Round 2

Mors (Delay), Retty (),// Mahd (), & Mandower ()
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Randalan (-3)
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Thaddeus (), Leb (), Mors (D), Retty (), Mahd (), & Mandower ()

I came off Delay above, after Mandower's Attack. Though I could use some help repositioning Mors to Im front of Randalan, as im posting from my phone.