DM Eunson's Purple Mountain in the Five Kings Mountains

Game Master Kastarr Eunson

"You warty lice-ridden smudge-rubber! I'll get ya for this!" - cursing loudly, Whurly blinks couple of times hoping his eyes will adjust quickly enough to the darkness. He raises his crossbow in haste and shoots at one of the creatures (lefmost) hoping for a hit, all the while stepping back. He was trying to get some distance between him and the blues skinned creatures in order not to be attacked while reloading.

Standard action - x-bow attack 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13 Last +1 modifier is if they are goblinoid, if not just subtract 1 from final result
Potential dmg 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Same as above +1 modifier is if they are goblinoid, if not just subtract 1 from final result

Move action (if possible) - move back to let Heroden up front

Knowledge/Dungeoneering check 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Your shot is true, however the bolt seems to collide with the blue-skinned creature and bounce off of it although it yelps in surprise.

Combat map linked up top.

"Mites!!! Thrice-cursed bastards sons of a hidebound toe-biting mother! Only cold iron will hurt'em! Or magics..."

well I ain't got iron but I got cold! Sioc she says as an icy ray shoots from her finger at a mite

Ray of frost ranged touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 at mite #4
doubt it hit but if it did: damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1 cold

The mite that Kara aimed at yelps as the cold ray glances off of the floor at it's feet. It then lets out a tirade of guttural syllables.

Rage, Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 4) + 7 = 17

Next time we need to try and discern exactly who is on front and not :D In any case:

Heroden moves forward, on queue with Draegar.

Not sure exactly where Draegar is placed, since we have no coordinates on the map, but since Heroden's weapon has reach, he wants to strike from behind Draegar - DM Eunson let me know if it is not possible

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage if it hits: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Draeger's sledge hits the mite so hard that the creature's skull depresses and it expires immediately, collapsing into a heap at his feet. The other mites yelp and chitter amongst themselves.

Heroden's blow goes wide of the mite who had been standing next to the mite who was just crushed by Draegar's sledge.

Round 2

Two of the mites move up to engage Draegar, while the third points at Draegar and shrieks at him in Undercommon.

The mite then moves behind his comrades.

Draegar, can I get a Will save please? DC 10.

Mite 2 attack vs Draegar (sickle, hatred): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 1 = 20
Mite 2 damage vs Draegar (sickle): 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Mite 3 attack vs Draegar (sickle, hatred): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 1 = 12
Mite 3 damage vs Draegar (sickle): 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Both of the mites manage to find chinks in Draegar's armour and draw blood. 3 points of lethal damage, Draegar.

Map updated.

Two questions DM Eunson: 1)I had requested to be behind Draegar - could we rearrange that? 2)Don't the mites cause AoO from me since I have a reach weapon? Thanks

With regards to 1, that was the only position that would allow you to make your attack last round. However, I can move you behind and that won't change anything. With regards to 2, they only provoke an attack of opportunity when moving out of a square that you threaten. Both mites have moved into a square that you threaten but neither have left one yet. I've updated the combat map to reflect your request.

I should point out that yes, in your previous position you would have got attacks of opportunity against all three mites.

In fact, if your intention is to capitalise on Combat Reflexes and denying movement then standing behind anyone is the wrong thing to do as that then provides your enemies with soft cover (+4 to AC and denies AoOs).

Do you want to remain where you were standing in order to attempt all three AoOs?

As a note, I'm also using a reach weapon. Pretty sure that means I get an AoO unless both mites were close enough to 5' adjust in.

AoO on the first mite to close distance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
AoO Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 5) + 7 = 13

Both mites were close enough to 5' step in. They both only had to make a 5' step diagonally to get into melee range with you.

As the mite who cast a spell at you moved around behind the other mites after they had moved, you would be denied an AoO against him too. However, this may all be moot if Heroden elects to remain where I had put him originally as he'll get three AoOs. Indeed, all he needs to do is knock out the mite located to your left diagonally and your AoO will stand and take out the mite who moved around to the back. You still need to give me a Will save, btw.

I am so confused right now with all the repositioning, who AoO'd whom and stuff, that I am simply going to shoot again (which was not my original intent)

Leaning to the edge of the tunnel Whurly takes a deep breath, trying to line up a clear shot. Both Dreaegar and Heroden have run next to the hideous creatures, partially obstructing his shot, so he waited for the opportune moment hoping for a better hit. He knew that he had to strike true in one of the more exposed body parts if he wanted to do any real damage to the blue skinned mongrels. Seeing a small opening, he hastily presses a trigger hoping for a solid hit.

x-bow attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Potential dmg. 1d8 ⇒ 1

Whurly's shot flies wide, missing the mite by several inches. It clinks against the wall beyond with a hollow noise.

Well, I'm happy with my positioning at the moment - thank you DM Eunson :D One request to my group - if possible, post your status at the end of your actions. I want to know which one of the boys or girl may need healing

Correct me if I am wrong - so far only Draegar took 2 points of damage, right?

Heroden thrusts his spear at one of the mites threatening Draegar - "Why are these creatures even attacking us? Stand down fools! Or you will be PUT down!"

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage if it hits: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Guess I should stick to healing....

Yes, at the moment Draegar is the only one with meaningful damage.

Heroden's lunge goes wide of the mark and the mite giggles at him. None of the three of the mites seem to make any indication that they've understood Heroden's words.

In the interest of keeping things moving, I'll take Draegar's AoO roll as an attack roll.

Draegar swings his sledge once again, and cracks the skull of another of the small blue-skinned creatures.

We just need Kara's next move and then we'll be into Round 3. Go Mites!

Hey, hey!!! Go us!!

Draegar knows why they are attacking. He continues to return the favor.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 1) + 7 = 9

I've lost track of what damage I've actually taken, and what was retconned. I think it's 2 non lethal and 5 lethal. Is that correct?

2 non lethal and 3 lethal.

Draegar Will save: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9

Draegar feels an overwhelming sense of doom as a wave of fear washes over him following the mite's words. Mite 1 cast doom on you last round. You are now shaken. Your attack hits but we're waiting for Kara. I'll DMPC here just now.

Kara attempts to freeze the mite once more with her ray of frost.

Ray of frost vs. mite 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Ray of frost damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Round 3

Mite 1 5' steps into place of his fallen comrade and both mites attempt to bring down the dwarf who is proving so lethal to their comrades!

Mite 1 vs Draegar (sickle, hatred): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 1 = 20
Mite 1 vs Draegar (damage): 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Mite 2 vs Draegar (sickle, hatred): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 1 = 17
Mite 2 vs Draegar (damage): 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

Mite 1 squeaks in frustration as Draegar's armour stops the blade of the sickle, although it leaves a bruise underneath. Mite 2, however, has much better fortunes and manages to sneak the point of his sickle under Draegar's armour.

Draegar's total damage tally is currently 3 non-lethal and 5 lethal now.

Draegar in retaliation cracks Mite 2 on the skull and knocks the mite out of the fight.

Mite 3 stable check: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

Mite 3 continues to bleed onto the flagstone floor.

Seeing his second bolt miss again, Whurly curses again: "You drooling lump-of-anthracite! I'll get ya now!"

He drops his crossbow to the ground all the while drawing his mace with lightning speed. (Quick draw)

Dropped crossbow barely hit the ground and Whurly was already assaulting the remaining mite, trying to hit him with his mace, his contempt mixed anger clearly showing on his face.

Mace attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Potential dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

EDIT:
Crit confirm.: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Potential dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Whurly's bolt manages to pierce the skin of the last mite and it faints from the pain.

Combat ended!

One mite lies slain outright and the other three are dying.

Up to you guys what you do with the three that are dying.

"I wish to have more information on this whole thing. By the way, good job boys!"

Heroden approaches the mite that seems to him less wounded and will try to stabilize him.

Heal(untrained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Last hit from Whurly was a mace, not a bolt. He approached and hit remaining mite with a mace - "throwing away" bolts on creatures which are resistant is expensive :-(

"Aye. Good job everyone." - Whurly approaches Draegar and place a calm hand on his shoulder from behind. "Take it easy lad, it is over. You have been good, very good."

He pats duergar two more times on the back, and then proceeds to check his surrounding in details. He gets his dagger out of the sheath, and without any hatred or remorse, simply dispatches two other mites, giving them quick and clean, merciful deaths. Upon hearing Heroden's comment, and seeing that he is (probably) able to stabilize remaining mite, he just grunts: "Aye. I don't speak undercommon, but lad here should be good at it"

Next he continues to check up on the bodies, searching for anything of value/interest, and piling whatever he finds (if anything) in the middle of the room.

Kara goes up to one with a stick and starts to poke at it.

These a re called...mites? she asks poking it a few more times.

They seem icky. do you think there's more of them?

Heroden manages to stabilise the remaining mite.

The mites carry little of value, but each of them appears to carry the same symbol, a wooden pair of small serrated locust wings. Other than that, they each have a small sickle. Their darts appear to have been blunted in the fight although they could possibly be used again. Each has a small accumulation of glass and baubles and finally one carries a small wooden token in the shape of an anchor and another carries a small vial.

Satisfied that he has managed to stabilize their foe, Heroden proceeds in tying the diminutive creature and gagging it with a rag improvised from one of the others clothing.

"Now then, were any of you capable of understanding the language they were speaking?" Maybe we can get some information from him about this place?"

He then stands at attention, watching the room they are in more attentively and the surrounding entrances/exits, for any further approaching adversaries.

Draegar breathes long and hard, his lungs working like bellows. He wipes his forehead and nods in acceptance of Whurly's praise, then pulls a tiny sickle out of his side and drops it on the ground.

Looking over to Heroden the grey-skinned dwarf said "Yeh. Ah do."

Whurly looks over the symbols briefly, as well as the anchor shaped token, than tosses both of them towards Kara.

"I do not know much of these things. Does that tell you anything? Oh, while you're at it, here's some kind of vial also. Could be something usable, and could be their stinkin' brandy. If it's brandy, I call dibs on it, hargh, hargh..."

Laughing loudly he turns to Draegar, and briefly states: "Lad, Master Heroden here will tell you what to ask this creature"

He goes on to retrieve his spent crossbow bolts, hoping that at least one of them is usable again. Afterwards he spends some time studying the tracks around the room, trying to deduce any information out of it.

Survival/tracking: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Turning to Draegar, Heroden comments - "Well, I guess we can try to get the usual information - why did they attack us? What are they doing here? Do they have a boss? Stuff like that..."

KAra looks over the stuff found. a quick detect magic to see if anything is magical

concerning the vial: if it does not radiate any magic then she examines to see if it is safe to open.

if it is "brandy" then Kara better taste it (read - half the bottle) just to be sure it really is good brandy, don't want to give anyone bad brandy, that would be disresectful

Draegar looks incredulous. "Th'y attack'd us 'cause they're mites. They're 'ere 'cause they live 'ere. They boss'll b' near, prob'ly wit' a giant bug."

Shrugging he said "Wake 'im"

going entirely off of common knowledge of underdark creatures, dungeoneering and the fact that they mentioned some kind of beetle

So I'm now on rotation for four weeks, so like I said posting may become sporadic. I'll update as and when I can.

Finished with track finding, Whurly exclaims to the others: "It would seem a lots of mites, as well as some other beings went through 'ere. I can't tell what those others are, but we should ask him"

He approaches Heroden and the mite laying down, and unless Heroden objects, proceed to try and wake up the unconscious creature by firmly shaking it's shoulders and a few light slaps on the face. If needed he will sprinkle some water over the mite.

"Wake up you, wake up! Lad 'ere have some questions for ya."

Kara examins the two items to discern thier purpose and what any of the magical auras mean.

Spellcraft the wooden token: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Spellcraft The Vial: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

The mite is in negative hitpoints and thus cannot become conscious. You'll need to raise him to 0 hit points or more in order for him to regain consciousness to question him.

Heroden ponders the unconscious creature for a few moments - "I hesitate in using my healing powers to get this creature back on its feet only so it can be interrogated - these are resources judiciously given away by the goddess, and I do not wish to waste her inspiration, and be lacking it if, and when you may need it my friends..."

"Lets leave this one tied up and proceed on our way"

Heroden looks around and questions Whurly with a smile - "Which way?"

"I'd say the way is straight ahead. As for tying up and leaving him behind - I disagree. I say we dispatch him into Pharasma's arms here and now. He saw us and attacked us. If we leave him, he'd either set himself free and attack us from behind, maybe be freed by his stinkin' mite-friends and tell'em all about us, or simply be eaten by some wandering lynx. It's mush safer, and in the long run better if we deal with him now. The lad or myself will do it, you just go straight and we'll catch up." - the dwarf smirks, looking at Heroden expectingly, his hand already gripping the dagger.

Hey guys, I looked over this stuff here and this vial has some stuff to make your weapon like cold iron for a bit. helps fake out those evil fey types. Not the cool ones like us gnomes

"Hehehe, very cool thingie indeed! How long does it last? Either way, I'm thinking it better used on one of you front line boys..." - Whurly exclaims turning to Heroden and Draegar.

I am assuming it is a standard dose of "cold iron bleach"

Heroden loosk seriously at Whurly - "Please friend, I am not made for cold blooded murder - this one here is stable but he is badly wounded. He is not going anywhere soon... or later for that matter"

"Let us go on our way and understand what is afoot in this place" - Heroden follows the "straight ahead" path as worded by the dwarf earlier on.

Draegar shrugs and takes the flask, putting it into one of the many pouches of his battle harness and walking on slightly ahead of the others.

Red haired dwarf stands still for a moment, looking Heroden straight in the eyes. His distaste for what he was about to do was clearly shown on his face, mixed with uncertainty and a bit of anger.

"OK, Master Heroden. We leave him be than...but I do not like it, and I don't have to like it!" - he makes two steps forward, and then addresses cleric again in a more conciliatory tone. "For the good of us all, let's hope you are right. Lead the way lad...'

bump

We still here?

I am for sure :-)

Aye