DM Carbide's Giantslayer

Game Master John Woodford

"Ow!"

Haftor yanks himself free from the shrubbery, clumsily and noisily hopping away from it.

He holds his hammer aloft and calls for Torag's healing, emanating a wave of positive energy. He then begins to move through the mounds.

Use 2 Fervors to Channel Energy (30' radius, which reaches everyone in the group). Heal: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3 He then moves 20' (E, E, SE, E).

EDIT: Shakes fist at dicebot.

Jarrek moves up with Haftor but looks back at Svarog, who had supplied the information about the brambleblight. "Is there any way to figure out which of these piles is the actual thing? I know we can chop through every pile in here if we have to, but if we could not have to do that, that would be great."

"It moves differently from the animated thorns, and it has eyes."

“Eyes? Lovely.” Trianne’s grimace said otherwise as she slunk along the interior wall. In the brief reprieve, she took a moment to resort her armaments.

5’ Step SE. Secure crossbow and draw wand to her other hand.

Can we try Perception checks to see if somebody can spot the real bad guy?

Perception, if applicable: 1d20 ⇒ 16

You can try Perception checks, although from the current position of the party there's a lot of the room that you can't see easily.

Jarrek peers around, but doesn't see anything that looks like what Svarog described.

It's worth a shot.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are, bush-beastie!"

Haftor looks around for an ocular equipped shrubbery.

perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Haftor likewise sees nothing from his current position.

Jarrek jerks his head at the next pile of plants. "Alright let's move up, folks. Looks like this thing's afraid of us! This is gonna be easy!"

Move up to the next pile, I guess.

Anyone want to roll a Perception check for Svarog?

Svarog: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Svarog peers into the room, but doesn't see anything besides the dead growth and small vermin inhabiting the blighted area. The dour ranger moves to cover Trianne, blade ready.

Svarog and Haftor (and anyone else who reaches or crosses the line on the map, DC 19 Fort save or sickened.

Jarrek, where do you want to move to?

Seamus paces Trianne to her right, moving up to stand next to Jarrek, See anything? Its all so tall. Why would this room be all dead, everything else has been pretty alive right?

Svarog murmurs, "That's the brambleblight's doing. It killed the plants that were here and turned them into what you see."

Fort save 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

I added the +2 against spell-like abilities from the Hardy dwarven racial ability, assuming it applies.

Haftor's training and dwarven physique protect him from the malign aura.

I've heard of choker vines, and other plants which snuff each other out, but this is a lot more than that... Seamus responds to Svarog.

The mounds are just difficult terrain, right? We can walk on them?Assuming that's correct, Jarrek would just stay in a line with Svarog and Haftor.

Jarrek Fort save, DC 19: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Svarog Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Woof

Jarrek advances with Haftor, grimacing as a sickening smell smacks him in the face. "What is that? Oh my gods I'm gonna throw up."

The mounds are difficult terrain, but the spaces between them aren't.

As the wave of desiccation started to wash over Trianne, she gagged audibly and coughed, spitting in a most unladylike fashion.

“Ohh, gods!” she said, raising an arm over her mouth. She managed to summon her powers to hand though, energizing the entire group despite the grimace of disgust on her face. “Get in, get out!”

Fort save DC19: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Are we still in rounds or more flexible waiting for the other shoe to drop? Tri’s next set of actions would be to cast Haste including everyone and then follow them into the miasma. Distance based on tactical situation.

Haste -- Duration 5/5 rds remaining
Full Attack action = +1 attack at full bonus
+1 attack, +1 dodge bonus to AC, +1 Reflex saves
All modes of movement increase by 30' up to double normal maximum

No, we're still on combat time.

The effect that sickens some of the party isn't a physical odor--it's something more subtle than that, and feels like only the fringes of an attack that would be far more potent against other sorts of targets.

Round 5 (ongoing):

Initiative order
BB-acted
Seamus-
Haftor
Trianne
Svarog
Jarrek
Bramble

To no one's surprise, another mound of dead foliage heaves itself free of the blighted soil and moves to attack.

Everyone can act!

BB: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Bramble: AC 15 T 8 FF 15 HP taken: 0

Trianne shook her head, mostly to ward off the second thoughts she was having as she eyed the long whipping limbs of the bramble. Then she darted across one of the nearby mounds with her enhanced speed, her long legs taking her deeper into the miasma.

Actions stand from my above post with 65’ Nimble movement being S, SW, Sx5, SE. Only Jarrek and Svarog also gain Haste benefit this round initiative-wise.

Jarrek charges across the mound of dead plants he's standing on, all the while trying to hold in his last meal.

Falchion PA +Haste -sickened: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 25
Dmg, if any +Arcane Strike: 2d4 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 8 + 1 = 13

Hasted Falchion PA +Haste -sickened: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 24
Dmg, if any +Arcane Strike: 2d4 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 8 + 1 = 14

I believe that you only get the extra attack with a full-round attack action.

Correct. But now that you're all up in his business, Jarrek, full attacks can commence henceforth! Nor can Svarog 5' Step into to difficult terrain to get the full attack option this round.

Seamus steps up, flinging a standard alchemist's fire at the animated bramble.

Aclehmist's fire, PBS: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27
Damage, PBS: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Round 5 (ongoing):

Initiative order
BB-acted
Seamus-acted
Haftor
Trianne-acted
Svarog
Jarrek-acted
Bramble

Jarrek chops into the bramble, and Seamus hits it with a fiery flask while Trianne advances further into the great chamber.

Svarog and Haftor to go! After this round, the sickness effect will end.

BB: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Bramble: AC 15 T 8 FF 15 HP taken: 19

Haftor continues to stomp forward, slow and steady. Crushing these bushes is the job, and he's going to plow through and get it done with as little fuss as possible.

He raises his flaming hammer and attacks the next bush. "Plant beastie will run out of shrubberies before we run out of flame and blades!"

Fourth round of five for the flaming attacks. Move action 5' S, then 5' E. flaming warhammer attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 damage 1d10 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (9) + (3) + 4 = 16

Haftor is unable to connect with the brush, the undergrowth proving to be less than forgiving footing. Svarog connects with his attack, chopping through branches with his longsword.

Svarog attack: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Svarog damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The bramble lashes at Jarrek, but the half-orc ducks just in time.

Round 6 (ongoing):

Initiative order
BB-??
Seamus-
Haftor
Trianne-
Svarog
Jarrek-
Bramble

Everyone can act!

BB: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0
Bramble: AC 15 T 8 FF 15 HP taken: 25

Magically sped up, Jarrek slashes twice at the animated plants in front of him.

Falchion PA +Haste -sickened: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 11
Dmg, if any +Arcane Strike: 2d4 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + 8 + 1 = 17

Hasted Falchion PA +Haste -sickened: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 - 2 = 26
Dmg, if any +Arcane Strike: 2d4 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 8 + 1 = 12

Seamus looks at the animated thorns, sighs, and pulls out another alchemist's fire, flinging it at the thing.

Alchemist fire, PBS: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 1 = 15
Fire, PBS: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

You're not sickened any more, Jarrek.

Thanks, DM. Didn't know if you meant it ended last round or would end this round. That probably still doesn't make the first attack hit, though.

Haftor adjusts his stance a bit, planting his feet more firmly. "Right. Let's try this again, plant." He swings his hammer in a fiery arc, before the flame sputters and goes out.

He then calls on Torag for some swift self healing.

Fifth round of five for the flaming attacks. flaming warhammer attack
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 damage 1d10 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (8) + (3) + 4 = 15 Then use his last Fervor as a swift action to heal himself 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8

I'm on a real hot streak here.

Haftor is hastened. Second attack available with the Full Attack action if you like.

Svarog chopped into the creature with the newfound speed of his attack but misjudged the follow-up attack while gauging the accelerated movement.

Trianne’s eyes shifted from the whipping melee to the prize they were trying to claim and back again. She didn’t know enough about her enemy to suit her, but she needed to try. At the very least, it might bring their real target into their field of vision.

She spoke the words that would shroud her and as she concluded the spell, she vanished from sight. She then began slinking quietly along the southern wall, deeper into the chamber.

Svarog chop 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Svarog chop 1 confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Longsword crit damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 7) + 4 = 14
Svarog chop 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Cast Vanish, 5/5 rds remaining. Move half speed Stealthy, East x7.

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Haste -- Duration 4/5 rds remaining
Full Attack action = +1 attack at full bonus
+1 attack, +1 dodge bonus to AC, +1 Reflex saves
All modes of movement increase by 30' up to double normal maximum

Jarrek hits the animated bramble solidly once, Seamus burns it still more, and then Svarog winds up and finishes it.

Trianne edges along the south wall, brushing against the thorny protrusions from the mound. She's moved about ten feet when she realizes that some of the growth on the far side of the mound looks different from the rest of it...and then it moves with incredible speed and accuracy, lashing out at her twice. Blinding pain shoots through the wizard's mind, and then she knows no more. Take 43 HP, Trianne. I think that puts you at -7 HP.

Everyone else hears the movement, and can see where it came from.

Round 7:

Initiative order
Seamus-
Haftor-
Trianne-dying
Svarog-
Jarrek-
BB-

Everyone can act!

BB: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken: 0

Windy Escape applicable here? Or are the attacks considered magical?

In this case, the brambleblight had rolled high enough on Stealth to beat Trianne's Perception check. I can't tell from the spell description whether Trianne could trigger it against an attack from surprise--do you know how that would be handled?

Ooh, I didn't realize I was in the Haste effect.

second attack from Haste 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 = 14 damage 1d10 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + (2) + 4 = 10

Haftor grunts in frustration, having failed to hit the last plant-beastie even once, though not for lack of multiple attempts. He hears the disaster befalling Trianne, and heads (hastily) in that direction.

Std action, Blessing for Acid Strike (First of Five Blessings), then Move 25' S, which should put him right up against the South wall. He will begin looking for Trianne - perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Stealth beating Perception means the stealthy character has total concealment from the target but that doesn't make them flat-footed outside of a surprise round. The only attack type called out in the Stealth rules is sniping and that doesn't apply here. So since this isn't a surprise round, Trianne shouldn't be flat-footed and should be able to use an Immediate Action, right?

Like Haftor, Jarrek rushes toward the brambleblight once it makes itself known.

I'm not sure if I can get to melee this round- it looks like it should take 8 or more squares of movement to get into range. I'll go ahead and roll 1 attack just in case he can get there with Haste.

Falchion PA +Haste: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 = 22
Dmg, if any +Arcane Strike: 2d4 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 8 + 1 = 14

Jarrek's speed is doubled to at least 40', so he should be able to cross the 4 squares of difficult/terrain into melee if you go SE, Ex3.

But it's the...

Seamus, seeing the large plant thing finally emerge from hiding to assault Trianne, skips forward, his legs moving so fast they seem a blur and he pitches a bomb directly toward the creature, hoping to take it quickly...

Bomb, PBS, Haste: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
fire, PBS: 3d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 1, 5) + 5 = 17

Bomb 7/10

Svarog’s eyes narrowed as he watched the brambleblight spring to action with long, devastating ease. He sunk his blade into the muck and swung his longbow to hand with reflexive ease. His other hand drew and nocked an arrow, and he only paused momentarily as he sighted on the writhing mass.

His hand didn't even pause as the first arrow sunk home, reaching for the next projectile in his quiver and raising it to draw.

Drop weapon. Draw bow. Standard attack. 5 standard arrows remain.

cmp. longbow (+2) + PBS + Haste: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 28
arrow damage + PBS: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Go ahead and use the spell, Trianne. However, from the spell description it's not clear to me whether it works against a single attack or against all attacks from an opponent taking a full attack action. The forum posts I saw seemed to indicate that it was the former; what's your take on it?

Definitely only a single attack. Not a single attack action. The stickier part is getting to react to the result on the d20 roll. If we were sitting around a table, you would have rolled the first attack, I would have seen the hit, and let you roll damage (13) without intervention (being at full health). Seeing the 2nd die come up 20, I would have been like “Uhhh…” and interceded with Windy Escape to prevent the critical effect from firing. DR10/magic and no crit would mean only 3 damage would affect her on the second attack.

Taking 16 instead of 33 would be great, but it feels like it’s covered in heaps of meta-cheese too because of the nature of the digital environment. Regardless, whether she’s up with 3HP or 20HP, an attempt at a Withdrawal is on her immediate agenda…

Trianne has 3 HP left after taking the crit. So she's conscious, at least.

Round 7 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Seamus-acted
Haftor-acted
Trianne-
Svarog-acted
Jarrek-acted
BB-

Seamus' bomb hits the brambleblight, while Haftor closes in on it. Jarrek rushes towards the bizarre creature, blade high, and meets a lashing limb coming the other way. Take 13 HP, Jarrek. It's also clear to you, looking at it, that in order to hit its thorny body with a falchion you'll probably impale yourself on the long spines that grow on its surface. Do you still want to attack it? Svarog's arrow also does it some damage.

Trianne can act!

BB: AC 20 T 12 FF 17 HP taken: 23

Trianne mad-scrambled away from the brambleblight’s savagery. Somehow it had seen her, and while she was still invisible to everyone else, the sprays of blood in the vicinity spoke volumes.

“Found it,” she gurgled weakly and unseen as she passed Haftor and Jarrek in her flight.

Withdrawal. E, E, and then up and over the mound to the NW.