DM Carbide's Kingmaker (Inactive)

Game Master John Woodford

Dominate Person, most likely.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Dominate Person, most likely.

-Posted with Wayfinder

That reminds me of this joke.

You're coming up on the clearing around the tower where you encountered the wisp, all of you at high alert. As a result, no one is surprised by the appearance of another one.

Round 1:

Initiative order
Katya
The Fitcher
Wisp
Vasily
Bea

Katya and The Fitcher, you're up! Remember that it's a DC 20 Will save to avoid being shaken. It's a fear effect, so Bea is immune, and everyone within 10 feet of her adds +4 to their save.

Will Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Katya steels herself as she shifts closer to Bea, lifting her hand up, a jolt of electricity escapes her hand and flows around Bea for a moment, intoning, "Jilg spical bekir."

5 ft. step, casting Resist Energy (electricity 10) on Bea.

Delay.
trying to avoid being shaken 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
sad trombone

The wisp moves up and sends a jolt of electricity into Katya for 10 HP.

Round 2 (rearranged; ongoing):

Initiative order

Wisp-acted
Vasily
Bea
Katya
The Fitcher

Party up!

If he's in melee range of the wisp, The Fitcher takes a 5' step back, then he casts True Strike.

Did it have to move past me to shock Katya? If so, do I get an AoO? Edit: Nevermind, found the map. I just assumed she was behind me.

"Katya, get back!" Bea swings her sword at the wisp, hoping to draw its attention away from the spellcaster.

swift action:activate smite
attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 = 31
damage: 2d6 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (6, 5) + 5 + 4 = 20
confirm crit: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 = 20
crit dmg: 2d6 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4) + 5 + 4 = 16

Right now, the only people in melee range of the wisp are Bea and Katya (and I expect Katya will not remain so for much longer). I think I have the combat map link up to date atm.

Round 2 (rearranged; ongoing):

Initiative order

Wisp-acted
Vasily
Bea-acted
Katya
The Fitcher

Bea slices deeply into the wisp! The Fitcher casts a spell in preparation for entering combat.

Wisp: AC 26 T 26 FF 16 -20 HP

Vasily whistles and sweeps his hand at Bea, ordering Strelka to leap forward to flank the creature along with their queen. The woodsman pulls arrow after arrow from his quiver, sending a steady stream of shafts raining down on the bobbing ball of light.

Strelka moves to flank with Bea. Vasily uses Rapid Shot on WOW.

S claw 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
S claw 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
V shot 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
V shot 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Bea watches in concern as a volley of arrows flies past harmlessly. "Focus, Vasily, and aim true!"

I don't think Strelka can get two claw attacks, since she's moved more than five feet. She also has to pass through difficult terrain to get to the flank--check to make sure she can get there w/o a double move.

You're right; if the bushes count as difficult terrain it takes her a double move to get into flanking position.

Katya?

Sorry all! I missed that it was my turn.

Katya jumps backwards yelling loudly as her teeth spark with short arcs of electricity. Her hands shaking along her wooden staff as she quickly grounds out. Lifting her staff up, Katya points it towards Vasily this time, repeating the same spell.

Casting Resist Energy (Electricity) on Vasily after a 5 ft. step back. Then Katya will Shift 10 ft. behind the group as a swift action.

On Vasily? He's all about staying away from melee. If she could get Strelka with it, the cat could probably use it more than Vasily.

Strelka works too.

Fitcher, are you going to cast true strike and prepare to move up?

Yes.

Round 3 (ongoing):

Initiative order

Wisp-acted
Vasily
Bea-
Katya
The Fitcher

The wisp sends a sizzling arc of electricity into the paladin, but Katya's defensive spell prevents the attack from damaging Bea!

The party is up!

Sweet! Thanks Katya!

Beatrix smiles with renewed confidence and swings again at the wisp.

attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 2 = 17
damage: 2d6 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (5, 2) + 5 + 4 = 16

...drat!

Vasily slows down his shooting, trying hard to make contact, while Strelka claws at the floating ball of light.

Bow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Arrow: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Claw 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Claw 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
C1 dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
C2 dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Bite dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Bow Crit confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Round 3 (ongoing):

Initiative order

Wisp-acted
Vasily-acted
Bea-acted
Katya
The Fitcher

One of Vasily's arrows hits the wisp, but the others miss. The nimble creature avoids Bea's powerful slash. Katya and The Fitcher, over to you!

Wisp: AC 26 T 26 FF 16 -5 HP

How did it go from -20 HP to -5 HP?

Forgetfulness on my part, sorry. It's down 25 HP.

None of you are down and dying, which is the only way that it can currently recover HP while fighting.

Katya holds her action, she can't really hurt the Wisp with any of her remaining spells, and having already used her 2 highest level spell slots is reluctant to use more magic.

I think The Fitcher wouldn't mind if you summoned a flanking buddy for him.

The Fitcher takes a 5' step into melee with the wisp, and takes a hack with his sickle.

+1 Cold Iron Sickle 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (19) + 24 = 43
damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The Fitcher's spell enables him to strike truly, and he slashes the creature again!

Round 4 (ongoing):

Initiative order

Wisp-acted
Vasily
Bea-
Katya
The Fitcher

In return, the creature flashes brightly and shocks the Kellid for 7 HP.

You're up!

Wisp: AC 26 T 26 FF 16 -32 HP

"And this is just one of them. I'm no coward, but we might want to consider this island beyond our abilities for now, friends." That said, Vasily continues his barrage of arrows while his cat continues to try to savage the bouncing ball of evil.

Bow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Arrow: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Claw 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Claw 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
C1 dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
C2 dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Bite dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Bea grunts as she once again swings past the wisp. "We've still got plenty of fight in us yet!"

attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 2 = 14
damage: 2d6 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3) + 5 + 4 = 15

Bea, Vasily, and Strelka all miss. The Fitcher retreats and prepares to send healing energy into Katya (who will take back 7 HP next turn; unfortunately, The Fitcher can't 5' step in difficult terrain).

Round 5 (ongoing):

Initiative order

Wisp-acted
Vasily
Bea-
Katya
The Fitcher-acted

With its previous target fled, the wisp turns its attention to the cat. Through some miracle of feline agility, though, Strelka avoids the arc of lightning.

Party up!

Beatrix swings again at the wisp, not seeming to mind that her sword cuts nothing but air.

attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 2 = 14
damage: 2d6 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (2, 6) + 5 + 4 = 17

Wow...these are some seriously terrible rolls I've been getting...

Vasily and his cat fight on, determined to take down the bouncing ball of evil.

Bow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Arrow: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Claw 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Claw 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
C1 dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
C2 dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Bite dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Claw 1 Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Strelka manages to tag the wisp once, but the creature is still active.

Round 6 (ongoing):

Initiative order

Wisp-acted
Vasily
Bea-
Katya
The Fitcher-

The wisp again attempts to electrocute the cat. This time it hits, but the electrical attack fails to penetrate Katya's spell.

You're up!

Wisp: AC 26 T 26 FF 16 -35 HP

attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 2 = 24
damage: 2d6 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (6, 2) + 5 + 4 = 17

Sigh. Nobody's flanking me are they?

The cat is, Bea. I don't think Vasily moved her into position, though.

So...can we retcon kitty moving into flanking position with me so I can get that extra +2 for a hit?

Sure; Vasily stated that it was his intention to have Strelka flank with Bea, and although he didn't take the +2 for any of his attacks it wouldn't have made a difference.

Bea finally manages another solid hit, extinguishing the wisp!

Out of combat!

Beatrix smiles satisfactorily, looking around at the party. "Everyone alright?" She pauses a moment as her gaze falls on Vasily. "You're right. We can't fight many more of those, but there's plenty of daylight left, and they seem to mostly come out at night. Let's see what we can find out - and if things get bad, we'll leave."

The tower in the central clearing is a crumbling ruin--nothing remains but a half-collapsed stone cylinder some forty feet tall, and mounds of rubble inside and outside of it. There are traces of long-worn inscriptions on some of the tower's stones. All of you still feel as though you are being watched by something hidden and hostile.

No relevant Knowledge skills, unfortunately. Can he Aid Another on the Perception check if somebody makes all the other checks?

Vasily nods at Bea. "Gods forbid we ever have to face more than one of those at a time. If we can get out before the sun goes down I think we'll all be happier." He collects as many of his arrows as he can and keeps a sharp eye out for whatever it is that's watching them.

Dangit, I knew we should've brought Adam with us! :p Katya has linguistics and a number of Knowledge skills - I'll wait for her to post.

Vasily--yes.

So... quick question... would it be possible to Take 20 on this? Katya would very much like to stay here and study as long as possible and we have several hours of daylight left right? If that's allowed, Katya will pass 3 of the 4 checks (doesn't have any Engineering or History yet). Let me know if that's ok DM and I'll make an RP post. Otherwise, here's my rolls if Taking 20 isn't allowed.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Welp... don't even pass the first hurdle with that.

You can't take 20 on knowledge checks (you either know it or you don't) but I'm pretty sure you can take 20 on a linguistic check.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Your other option would be to carefully copy the inscriptions and research them in depth when you get back to town.

Katya does not immediately recognize the symbols.

Are you planning on copying the symbols and leaving, staying around for Katya's research, something else?

Yep, Katya will take down a recording of the symbols.

Pulling out her ink pen and parchment, Katya finds a nearby area to lean against as she starts to copy down the symbols. Once she feels she has a good enough rendition of the markings, she rolls up the parchment and nods towards the group, "Thanks for waiting everybody... with these, I might be able to figure out more once we get back home but we should probably leave now before the sunset leaves us in darkness."