DM Carbide's Kingmaker (Inactive)

Game Master John Woodford

Jacyn stays mounted, guiding Smoke forward, his lance and shield at the ready.

Ride Check: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Katya feels her horse rear up hard as the wolves run by, nearly falling off of her mount as she struggles to hold on. Her hands hold onto the reins white-knuckled as she slowly settles down her horse. Seeing the party dismounting and preparing to move deeper, Katya follows suit and ties her horse to a nearby tree while pulling out her staff.

Under her breath Katya grumbles, "Just one normal day in this blasted forest... just one normal day..." as she holds her staff at the ready.

The normal days don't have long posts; it's "The rain tapers off during the night. The day is uneventful except for an occasional sprinkle. The party finishes exploring the area and continues north."

Ready for a fight, the party advances along the wolves' backtrail. The sound of the Skunk River in the distance contrasts with chewing and slobbering noises coming from rather closer, and in a clearing ahead you can see a snaky reptilian creature feasting on a dead wolf.

Round 1:

Initiative Order:
Jacyn
Adam/Critter
Havrin
Katya
???
Bea
Sabrina

Unfortunately, I have a meeting to go to and a bunch of other stuff to work on today, so I won't have a map up for a bit yet. Knowledge (Arcana) checks to recognize this thing.

Willing to give Diplomacy a chance instead of rushing headlong into battle, Jacyn calls out to the creature, just in case it's able to communicate, "Hail...uh...friend. What is your name?"

Diplomacy 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
If you want that to be my Standard action, that's fine. If not, then I will delay til it starts making aggressive actions towards us.

"While normally, I would applaud the effort, Jacyn, I fear I am speciesist against reptilian serpents. Unless its a dragon."

Adam waits to see what the creature does.

Readied Action
If the serpent should make any aggressive moments, Adam turns to Jacyn.
"That thing is not a friend. Strike true. Strike hard."
Inspiring Command.

Inspiring Command.

Which does? I actually just trained in both Diplomacy and Survival this level. Jacyn has been hanging around Adam and Havrin too much. Picking up tricks from them. ;)

+2 to combat rolls, AC, and skill checks for one round

Oh, I know about that DM. That was purely in character and doesn't reflect my own thoughts at all. :D

Arcana Check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Katya stays a few paces behind the group as we come up on the clearing. Peering around Jacyn's horse as she tries to get a clear look at the creature.

Havrin readies an action to fire an arrow at the snaky reptilian creature if it takes any hostile actions.

Readied Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Also, Havrin has a +7 total Initiative modifier in Forest terrain.

Map is HERE.

Thanks for the update, Havrin; I'll need to change my useful pastes page. I'll also note your +2 to Perception checks in Forest terrain.

Initiative order:
Havrin/Jacyn
Adam/Critter
Katya
???
Bea
Sabrina

Let me know if your positioning looks OK.

Havrin's position looks good to me. Please note that Havrin is still mounted on Stepper.

I'm good there, too, and still on Smoke as well.

I left enough space around the two of you for the horses.

The creature grabs up the partially-eaten wolf body and backs up slowly, grunting out something that sounds like a word.

"What did it say?" Havrin hisses to his companions, bow held at the ready and never taking his eyes off of the reptilian creature.

Bea focuses her gaze on the creature, trying to determine its intent.

Detect Evil

Beatrix speaks in a low voice, "I have no idea, but I don't think it's evil. That doesn't mean it's not dangerous, though."

"If it isn't evil and isn't attacking us, I think we should leave it be. We don't need to go killing everything in the forest that kills an animal to eat." Jacyn responds to Bea.

"I agree. Let's just back away slowly," Havrin advises. Putting words to action, the ranger directs Stepper to back away slowly - but keeps his bow ready.

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Does Sabrina recognize the creature?

If so she shares what she knows with the rest of the group. Either way, she follows Havrin's instructions.

"I am pretty sure I've never heard any court tales or songs about such a creature, unless its a dragon."

Knowledge (history)
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Round 1 (ongoing):

I was putting together this post when Sabrina's came up.

Sabrina, you're not sure about them; something is tickling in the back of your mind, though. Havrin and Jacyn are just beginning to back away slowly, eyes on the feasting lizard, when the cleric remembers--she's not sure what they're called, but she remembers other animals being wary of them because they're very, very sneaky. She draws breath to warn the party, but it's too late. Suddenly, without warning two more of the creatures attack the lead pair from concealment in the nearby trees. Jacyn's armor saves him from serious damage, but Havrin is not so well protected; a claw slash and a bite both draw blood. Havrin, take 11 HP.

Bea and Sabrina have the option of attacking the two new arrivals, who (you now notice) are slightly smaller than the first one.

Round 2?

Jacyn manages to fend off the attack and looks back towards the lizard-thing that is in charge of this assault. He stares her down, saying "Clever girl,". Kicking Smoke in the side, he spurs the horse on, charging in a path that will lead him straight past the leader, shouting, "But not clever enough!".

Jacyn challenges the big one that isnt a Velociraptor from Jurassic Park. :P
Charging Lance Attack 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 4 = 18
Charging Lance Damage 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (7, 5) + 12 = 24
Ride Check to avoid the AoO vs Smoke 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Also, I no longer take an AC penalty when charging. Smoke does, though. I think. :/

Seeing Havrin hurt, Bea rushes to his side and attacks the creature that bit him. "See? Dangerous!"

power attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 2) + 7 = 15

Round 1 (ongoing):

Bea's sword blow wounds the creature severely, but it's still in the fight. Sabrina?

An image of one of the creatures is HERE.

Round 1
Adam does issue the inspiring command to Jacyn.

Round 2
Adam whips his rapier about in a disruptive fashion, as he positions himself in a strong defensive.

Total Defense
AC: 21, touch 18

Round 1

Sabrina takes a 5 foot steps adjacent to Havrin and spontaneously cast cure Moderate wounds, on him.

2d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 5) + 3 = 12

If Adam's Round 1 action goes before my charge, then that makes my attack roll a 20 and my damage either 26 or 28, depending on if that +2 gets doubled for it being on a lance while I am charging.

Oops, Jacyn. It doesn't effect damage. Just d20 rolls and AC. Sorry, I should clarify. Its on my profile.

We just waiting on Katya? Boards have been wacky but it looks like they're working now.

Yup. I couldn't get on at all between last night and an hour or so ago.

Hey guys, I'm not sure why but every time I've tried to get on the Paizo forums the past week my computer has just spun its wheels and never loaded the page. Seems to be working now so I hope Paizo got things fixed.

Round 1
HP: 14 AC: 10

Katya opens her mouth about to speak when the two extra creatures leap out of the nearby brush. Startled from the sudden ambush of the creatures, Katya raises her staff and points the tip at the nearest creature. Her staff glows along the grain lines as it fire were seeping up towards the tip, and a glow bursts from the staff as Katya says "Valignatir ingis!". A line of bright fire bursts from Katya's staff and streaks towards the creature in a flash.

Standard Action casting Scorching Ray
Scorching Ray Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Scorching Ray Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 2, 6) = 17

I believe it was the increased traffic due to RPG Superstar competition.

Round Two:

"Thanks, Sabrina," Havrin grunts as the young cleric's healing magics completely mend the wounds inflicted by his stealthy attacker. Guiding Stepper with his knees, Havrin urges the horse to back a step away from the reptilian creature. Bringing his bow to bear, the ranger fires an arrow at his attacker.

Autosucceed DC 5 Ride check to guide Stepper with knees to take a 5-ft step back (assume that places Stepper in squares X/Y-26/27, and Havrin in square X-27). Standard action to fire arrow at creature T2.

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Longbow Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Havrin's AC: 17
Havrin's HP: 31/31
Stepper's AC: 17
Stepper's HP: 19/19

Round 1 (final):

Katya, you wouldn't be able to act against the two that attacked Jacyn and Havrin this round, as it was essentially their surprise round on the party. I'll take that action on Round 2, before they have a chance to act again.

The round ends with one of the creatures wounded by Bea.

Round 2:

Initiative order:
Havrin-acted; fired arrow/Jacyn-acted, charged the big one
Adam/Critter
Katya
???
Bea
Sabrina

Havrin's arrow nearly takes down the one on him and Bea, but it's still going. Jacyn's charge leaves a great gaping wound in the largest one, but it, too, is still in the fight. Facing a creature that outmasses him by an order of magnitude or more, Adam elects to maintain a strong defense.

The creature on Jacyn launches itself off the ground and at him, biting him and wrapping its snaky tail around the cavalier. Jacyn, take 11 HP and you are grappled.

Katya's spell leaves a massive burn across the one facing Adam; it's still going, though. As it writhes in pain it's unable to grab Adam in its powerful jaws. However, the one facing Bea and Havrin is capable of more focus than that, and its fangs leave a gash in the paladin's side. Bea, take 10 HP.

And with that, Bea is up!

Bea is about to lash out in anger but catches herself. Focused and steady. She swings her greatsword again at the giant worm, hoping to end it.

swift action
lay on hands: 1d6 ⇒ 3
power attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 3) + 7 = 14

If that's enough to finish it, Bea will move to intervene between Adam and his foe.

Round 2 (ongoing):

Bea's sword neatly separates the creature's head from its body, which writhes around for a while until it figures out it's dead.

Sabrina is up to finish the round.

DM Carbide: If Adam's Inspiring Command(Link) was put on me before the creature attacked, would that be high enough to keep me from getting grappled? My actions for Round 3 will be the same regardless of being grappled or not, just wanting to double check.

Round 3: 16/27HP, 20AC, Grappled?

Jacyn drops his lance and draws his longsword, swinging frantically at the lizard, trying to land a finishing blow.

Longsword Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Longsword Damage 1d8 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 3 = 9
Edit: Actually, if I'm not grappled, I'll have Smoke try to stomp on the thing, but that doesnt make any sense if I am grappled. So I await your decision Oh Mighty Carbide! :p

Round 3
Adam leaps away from the creature he is guarding himself from, hoping that one of his other companions will take his place combating the serpent.

Acrobatics and move away.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

He also issues another inspiring command to Jacyn.
"Finish Him!"
Oh, wait. That's Mortal Combat. :P

Sorry for the delay, between xmas and paizo's site being down I haven't had an opportunity to post until now.

Sabrina takes a shot with her longbow.

ATT:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
DMG:1d8 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Jacyn, the Inspiring Command is enough to keep you from being grappled. Sabrina, I know what you mean about the site being down; I was all set to post something last night, and I couldn't get on.

Round 2 (final):

Sabrina's arrow pierces the creature through, but it's not enough to drop it.

Round 3:

Initiative order:
Havrin/Jacyn-longsword missed, but you can roll Smoke's attacks
Adam/Big Critter
Katya
Small Critter
Bea
Sabrina

Round Three:

"Hang on, Jacyn!" Havrin calls as he directs Stepper toward the battle between the cavalier and the larger of the reptilian creatures. Once in position for a clear shot, the ranger fires an arrow at Jacyn's attacker and then stows his bow in anticipation of engaging the creature in melee.

Autosucceed DC 5 Ride check to guide Stepper with knees to move 50 feet to squares Q/R-19/20. Standard action to fire longbow at creature in square T-19. Move action to sheathe bow.

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Longbow Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Havrin's AC: 17
Havrin's HP: 31/31
Stepper's AC: 17
Stepper's HP: 19/19

Round 3 (ongoing):

The larger creature falls to Havrin's arrow.

Round 3 continued...

As the creature falls, Jacyn rears Smoke up onto his hind legs and slams the horses hooves down on it for good measure. "Nice shot, Havrin!", Jacyn calls out, turning Smoke back towards the rest of the battle to get a better view of who might be in the need of his help the most.

Updated map?
Also, I guess you can count Smoke's action as a coup de gras if you want. Other than that it was just for flavor. :P

The last one has 1 HP left; I didn't think it would last long enough to justify updating the map.

Just in case it's still alive by my turn
power attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 3) + 7 = 15

edit: never mind. Swing and a miss!

Katya to go before the last of my poor doomed trio of tatzlwyrms can act.