DM Panic's Slave Pits (Core) Table 1 (Inactive)

Game Master wakedown

With August's solid hit, the halfling drops his shortsword and holds up both of his hands.

"Ow, ow, ow! I surrender! Enough!"

On the roof, the wily halfling archer yanks his bow away from the greasy gob just in time before shaking it at the disappearing wizard.

"Ha! Nice try wizard! Hey.. where'd he go?"

Standing on his toes, the halfling tries to see where Maranax disappeared to (behind cover) before his companion shouts at him.

"Who cares you idiot? Shoot that guy that punched Billy, he's clearly the only competent one!"

Both of the archers aim at August and a single arrow thuds into his thigh (1 damage to August).

Titus easily dodges the sword stab aimed at his gut while Johann is less lucky facing his own pint-sized nemesis (3 damage to Johann).

Surprise Round Con't
7 Evarice : Casts bless and 5ft step

Round 1:
19 Maranax : Moves, casts grease ata bow-user
17 Titus : Feints successfully!
15 Johann : Misses with a 9
12 August : Hits AC19 for 8 damage
8 Puddlejumper #1 : Misses Titus
8 Puddlejumper #2 (-8hp, staggered): Drops sword, surrenders
8 Puddlejumper #3 : Stabs Johann for 3hp
8 Puddlejumper #4 : Misses August
8 Puddlejumper #5 : Shoots August for 1hp
7 Evarice :

Round 2:
19 Maranax :
17 Titus :
15 Johann :
12 August :

Map Link

Now Up: Everyone!

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 For flavor only, really.

With a flourish, Titus produces a small dagger seemingly from nowhere and thrusts at the half-thug facing him.

Stab vs Flat-footed!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Sneak Attack Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Evarice stows her holy symbol under her ostentatious hat and pulls out an arrow. She fires at the Puddlejumper on the roof closest to Maranax.

Longbow, bless: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 = 14 Point Blank Shot: Add +1 if it is within 30 feet
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7 Point Blank Shot: Add +1 if it is within 30 feet

"Tell your employer he messed with the wrong group. Or better yet, tell me who he is and I'll tell him for you."

Accepting the halfling's surrender, August Dupine decides to start working his way up to the roof, as the others seem to have this group well in hand.

"Watch him!"

Climb Ladder: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Flicking something out of his vest, he throws it at an archer.

Shuriken Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage: 1d2 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Well, that was less than impressive!

Johann grunts in frustration, "Hey now! This shall not stand!" He uses sword and shield to try and bring his Halfling foe to submission.

Sword, TWF, Bless: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 - 2 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Shield, TWF, Bless: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 2 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Evarice misses with her shot almost as badly as August misses his leap at the ladder and subsequent shuriken throw.

Titus finds success as he plunges his blade deep into the halfling, who groans and slumps over.

"Hey! They killed Kenny!"

The two archers double their efforts and now fire on Titus (and hit for 4 damage) while the lone remaining swordsman takes the brunt of Johann's shield bash but then finds an opening to slash his dagger inside the paladin's defenses (1 damage to Johann).

The surrendered Puddlejumper keeps his hands up and begins to suggest to the others that odds aren't looking strong for them.

Round 1 Con't
7 Evarice : Misses with longbow

Round 2:
19 Maranax :
17 Titus : Stabs halfling with hidden blade for 9hp
15 Johann : Shield bashes halfling for 5hp
12 August : Misses with thrown shuriken
8 Puddlejumper #1 (-9hp, unconscious)
8 Puddlejumper #2 (-8hp, staggered, surrendered)
8 Puddlejumper #3 (-5hp) : Stabs Johann for 1hp
8 Puddlejumper #4 : Misses Titus
8 Puddlejumper #5 : Shoots Titus for 4hp
7 Evarice :

Round 3:
19 Maranax :
17 Titus :
15 Johann :
12 August :

Map Link

Now Up: Everyone!

Johann keeps trying to focus on bringing down the Halfling that is stabbing and stabbing him. He makes another full attack.

Sword, Bless, TWF: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Shield, Bless, TWF: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 - 2 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

"Stand down, little one!"

Noting her allies injuries, Evarice moves to the side and holds her symbol forth.

"May Shelyn heal our wounds and keep us pure."

Positive Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 3 to everyone within 30 feet. Presumably this will include the Puddlejumper Titus took out and the one who surrendered. It should miss the other Puddlejumpers though.

4 Channel attempts remain

Johann flashes a brief smile of appreciation at Evarice.

August makes a more concerted effort to climb the ladder.
Climb: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Then he attempts to climb the wall.
Climb: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Then, in an effort to get them to throw down their arms, he shouts "Surrender, or it will go bad for you!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

But I think it comes out as "Surrender, if you please, or I might just have to fall down this ladder and make you die from laughing!

Once again, Johann's shield crunches into the face of the halfling harrying him, yet this time the pint-sized warrior cannot withstand the paladin's strength and he drops to the ground.

"Okay! We give up!"

Both archers put up their hands showing they have no further intentions at this time to murder the Pathfinders.

With a paldin in your group, I'll make some presumptions you accept their quarter to keep things moving.

As the two archers climb down from the roof, they make no moves to be hostile and instead run up to their two fallen friends while being joined by the halfling that surrendered earlier.

Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 17

They mostly try holding the wounds closed and jostling their friends, proving that they have little training in such matters.

"Can you folks stop their bleeding?"

The three halflings turn to you with eyes as brilliant and large as a baby kitten's.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"We can," says Maranax, fire playing about his fingertips, "And we will just as soon as you tell us how to find Pardu Pildapush."

Gods, I'm a sucker for these.
"Fine with me." Evarice asks everyone to gather and channels energy through her holy symbol.

Everyone regains Healing: 1d6 ⇒ 4 hit points.

"Now then. Like I asked before: Who hired you to attack us?"

3 Channels remain.

Maranax sighs with long-suffering patience.

The halflings glance at each other, clearly recognizing the name and making poor attempts to act otherwise.

"Pardu... Pildapuuuush?"

One of them does a terrible job shrugging and gesturing.

"Yeah, we totally don't know any..."

As Evarice and Maranax glare at this halfling, he's elbowed by one of his friends who says something under his breath forcefully.

"Hey! Remember that one's a wizard!"

"... oh yeah... Pardu, ummm. Yeah, he may have hired us to ambush you guys. Just honest work for a Coins District gang, you know?"

The third tries putting a finger in the wound which is the gaping-hole-that-Titus-made.

"Yeah, he might be up there. Had Larry untie him in his office earlier. Said you guys did it. Best we don't get involved any further, right?"

This halfling points at the No Return with his thumb before realizing it's the same hand he was using to plug the hole in his ally's stomach. Luckily for him, Evarice's healing is timed for this moment and his friend doesn't die in the process.

Johann sheathes his sword and crouches down to be eye-level with the halflings. "Now then, what sort of life have you made for yourself here, eh? Tsk, tsk, getting involved with someone like Pildapush... and what have you got to show for it? Just some gaping wounds - likely to get infected - and maybe a little bit of money?" Johann shakes his head softly, trying to really sell the disappointment.

"Don't you know there's more to life than a little bit of money?" He pauses, "Don't you know that?"

He stands back up and crosses his arms across his chest. "So, that's the 'No Return' over there? Very well. I highly suggest that you fellas rethink this sad attempt at criminal enterprise and put your efforts towards bettering yourselves."

"Well, I guess we should have figured Pildapush would have someone checking in on him. Guess we don't need to go back and untie him now. But I think it is safe to say he won't be getting that reward now either."

Dupine pats down the gang, to make sure they aren't carrying anything else of use (especially healing items!), and then looks to the others, and winks. "So, do we send them on their way, or go find a local constable to take them in?"

Either way, Dupine turns to the ship to start planning the next step.

"We need to focus on our mission. Turning them in will slow us down." Evarice notes before putting her weapons away.

"We need to inspect the ship, and quickly. I expect Pildapush to lose a lot of profit today..."

Maranax looks slightly surprised by Evarice's practical suggestion. Well, after all, she is an elf, he thinks.

"Agreed. Mission first. Burning enemies to ash second," he says with a glower for the benefit of the gang members.

As the Puddlejumpers get their injuries foes hobbling along with aid and the Pathfinders begin to eye and consider the No Return, looking over them on the main avenue, the crowds and citizens of Absalom still don't return to the streets as normal.

Instead, a pair of weathered sailors approaches the rail that forms the street side of the No Return.

"Ain't no bloody way ye runts are gittin' on our ship."

"Aye, damned straight. In fact, it might be time to pick on someone yer own size, mates."

The two men pull javelins from the deck and begin to narrow their eyes at Johann, clearly intent at throwing their weapons at him.

The halflings disperse as quickly as their attack on the Pathfinders begin, with one of them mouthing good luck to you all.

Round 1:
15 Maranax :
13 Evarice :
12 Sailors :
10 Johann :
8 Titus :
4 August :

Map updated

Now Up: Maranax and Evarice

"Ain't no bloody way ye runts are gittin' on our ship."

"Aye, damned straight. In fact, it might be time to pick on someone yer own size, mates."

"Gladly! We'll be off as soon as we free some people you mislabelled 'cargo'." Evarice cries as she pulls out her bow and fires.

Is Bless still up? Not sure if it's been a minute since the last battle with the Puddlejumpers.

Longbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Add +1 if bless is still active.
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Paging Maranax... I'll GM NPC him if we don't get a post by tomorrow morning.

Bless is still up. If it lasted 60s, let's say you have 4 rounds left (24s) since there was some questioning/healing that would've taken a half-minute or so.

GMPC delcares Maranax delays!

Evarice's arrow is so swift, it surprises one of the sailors as it thunks into his shoulder.

Grimacing, he tries to pick out Evarice among her allies, but seeing she's behind August and Titus, hurls his javel at the gnome.

The shaft sinks through poor Titus's chest with a grim display of gnome blood (13 damage!) as the poor gnome drops to the ground.

The other sailor selects Johann as the target of his wrath, but his javelin simply ricochets off a nearby barrrel.

Round 1:
15 Maranax : (delays)
13 Evarice : Shoots sailor #1 for 3 damage
12 Sailor #1 (-3hp) : Hurls javelin at Titus for 13 damage
12 Sailor #2 : Hurls javelin at Johann, misses
11 Maranax : (comes out of delay?)
10 Johann :
8 Titus :
4 August :

Round 2:
13 Evarice :

Map Link

Now Up: Everyone!

August Dupine runs up the gangplank and tries to knock out the closer thug.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Johann makes his way up the gangplank onto the boat while drawing his sword.

Double move.

Maranax summons a fiery dart of pure force and projects it against August's opponent.

"Feel now the depth of your mistake!" he intones in a low voice.

Force Missile (1/8): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Maranax aims a force missile at the nearest sailor while Johann moves up onto the ship's deck.

Suddenly, from somewhere behind the main structure on the ship's deck, a hyena-like cackle can be heard.

"EH EH EH EH"

A nearly eight-fool tall hairy brute shambles out with a doglike head cracking a whip.

With a crack, he whips it around Johann's ankle and drags the paladin to the ground (tripped).

@August: Feel free to alter your movement as the gnoll came out of delay ahead of your action technically.

Round 1:
11 Maranax : Force missile vs sailor #1 for 3hp
10 Johann : Double move up to ship
9 Gnoll : (comes out of delay) Moves to Johann and trips him
8 Titus : TBD
4 August : Moves onto ship and strikes sailor #1 for 4hp (total 10hp vs sailor #1 now)

Round 2:
13 Evarice :

Still Up: Titus, Evarice

"Oooo..." Titus grabs the javelin in his stomach, gives a little tug and finds it firmly planted, then promptly rolls his eyes and falls over.

Stabilization: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16 Stable at -4

Evarice grabs the javelin, removes it from Titus's wound, then holds his wound shut and mutters a few words.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Titus is at 3 HP

Take it easy, Titus.

Titus groans as he comes to. "Did we win..?"

As Titus comes back to the world of the conscious, the two sailors produce small hammers and surround the falled Johann, working to pummel the paladin on the ground. One whacks him in the back of the head with a solid blow (3hp damage to Johann).

Round 1 Con't:
8 Titus : Stabilizes at -4
4 August : Moves onto ship and strikes sailor #1 for 4hp

Round 2:
13 Evarice : Heals Titus for 7hp, bringing him to +3hp
12 Sailor #1 (-10hp) : Draws hammer, 5ft step, misses prone Johann
12 Sailor #2 : Moves around, draws hammers, hits Johann for 3hp
11 Maranax : TBD!
10 Johann : TBD!
9 Gnoll :
8 Titus :
4 August :

Round 3:
13 Evarice :

Map Link

Now Up: Maranax, Johann

As I don't think the gnoll will be dropped by Maranax or Johann this round, I'll go ahead and resolve the gnoll's action now so that everyone can post in their next check of the forum.

The gnoll sailor once again cracks his whip, this time snapping it at August and dragging him to the ground.

Now Up: Everyone!

Evarice boards the ship. She drops her bow and pulls out her Glaive.

A Gnoll slave driver? I'm not surprised.

She strikes at the injured sailor.
Glaive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

But she misses.

Dupine shakes his head, angry with himself for not noticing the gnoll sooner.

Seeing that he has gotten himself into quite a pickle, Dupine goes on the defensive in order to get up and regroup.

Total defense is +4 dodge to AC and CMD - hope it helps! Then stand up as a move action. Finally, step back 5'

@Titus - thanks for the correction!

Total defense is +4 actually.

Titus stands up and readies a crossbow.

Surprised and dismayed to find himself on the ground, Johann covers his vitals, trying to protect himself as best as he can.

Total defense.

Conserving his last powerful spells, Maranax continues to blast away with fiery bolts of force, now aiming at the gnoll slaver.

Force Missile (2/8): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

I'll GMPC Maranax again.

Maranax points his finger at the injured sailor as another force missile discharges, hoping it will drop the man before he can do further harm.

Force Missile (2/8): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

It does in fact seem to stagger the sailor, who barely stands on his feet (now at 0hp).

Johann covers himself and attempts to stand while both sailors swing their hammers. One sailor collapses at the effort, while the other's deflects off the paladin's armor.

The gnoll, annoying at the sailors' inability to pummel a prone man, discards his whip and advances to Johann.

"Eh-eh-eh... looks like I'll need to do it myself, cub!"

He swings his handaxe at the paladin, but luckily for Johann, the gnoll seems to slip just slightly on the deck and mistimes his swing.

@August: Feel free to retcon your action - the total defense prior to standing probably isn't necessary now.

Round 2 Con't
11 Maranax : Force missile vs sailor #1 for 2hp
10 Johann : Total defense and stands (provoking)
9 Gnoll : Tosses aside whip (free), drawing handaxe while closing (move) and swings at Johann, missing
8 Titus :
4 August :

Round 3:
13 Evarice :
12 Sailor #1 (-13hp) : unconcious
12 Sailor #2 :
11 Maranax :
10 Johann :
9 Gnoll :
8 Titus :
4 August :

Map Link

Now Up: Titus, August, Evarice (then sailor #2 will go before Maranax and Johann)

GM, thanks for adding the standing up to my turn. I was mistakenly under the impression that going total defense was a full-round action. (I think this is the first time I've every done it.)

Evarice steps five feet away from the sailor and displays her holy symbol again. She channels positive energy, healing her allies (and the defeated sailor) for 1d6 ⇒ 4 hp.

Titus is at 20 feet away ignoring elevation so that should heal him as well as August. And the sailor, who is hopefully smart enough to keep his head down!

2 channels remain

Dupine stands up (move equiv) and steps forward 5'. He punches the gnoll in the face.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Feeling much better, Titus runs up the gangplank, jumps to the deck and begins circling the sailors.

Double-move, avoiding threatened areas.

Titus runs up and begins to get into position, while August springs to his feet and pummels the gnoll.

Evarice, stepping back, heals her companions while the sailor smacks Johann with his hammer (3 damage to Johann).

Round 2 Con't
8 Titus : Runs up onto deck
4 August : Punches gnoll for 6hp

Round 3:
13 Evarice : 5ft step back, channels for 4hp
12 Sailor #2 : 5ft step into Johann flank, hammers Johann for 3hp
11 Maranax :
10 Johann :
9 Gnoll (-6hp):
8 Titus :
4 August :

Round 4:
13 Evarice :

Map Link

Now Up: Maranax, Johann

Johann ignores the hammer from the sailor, recognizing the gnoll as the greater threat. He plants his feet and swings his long sword and then his spiked shield at the creature. "I'll send you to Iomedae, dog!"

Sword, TWF: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 2 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Shield, TWF: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 2 = 23
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Crit?: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 2 = 15
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Johann's shield cracks into the gnoll with a sickening crunch (crit confirmed for 8 damage), but the gnoll simply shakes his head as if waking from a daze and continues his assault.

(14 damage total to the gnoll. I don't expect Maranax drops it on his action, so I'll post the gnoll to let Titus, August and Evarice post)

The gnoll grips his handaxe tighter and sinks it deep into Johann's shoulder (7 damage).

"Heel, HOO-MAN. For you are the pet here!"

The gnoll grins as he examines his blade and licks the blood from it, clearly believing one more chop would mean the end of the Iomedean before him.

Still Up: Maranax

Also Up: Titus, August, Evarice

(I'm not a fan of split initiatives in PbP, but this one's written with the gnoll as late add... groan)

Unable to get a good shot at the gnoll, Titus grabs his dagger, hops behind the remaining thug, and stabs at a kidney.

Flanking Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 = 25
Damage + Sneak Attack: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (5) = 6

Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

Evarice was planning to bless her glaive, but instead she converts it to a spell of Cure Light Wounds, applying it to Johann.

Casting CLW safely, then moving around to reach Johann. I can touch him as a free action the same turn I cast it.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"Shelyn will keep you standing today, Johann. Show this Gnoll the error of his ways."

Maranax will continue to pelt the gnoll with arcane blasts from afar!

Force Missile (3/8): 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Hoody Hoo!

"Thanks for that, Evarice!"

Maranax's force missile strikes true, while Titus's blade sinks deep in the sailor's shoulder.

Luckily for Johann, Evarice steps up to mend his wounds.

Round 3:
13 Evarice : 5ft step back, channels for 4hp
12 Sailor #2 : 5ft step into Johann flank, hammers Johann for 3hp
11 Maranax : Force missile for 5hp
10 Johann : Crits gnoll for 8hp
9 Gnoll (-14hp): Axes Johann for 7hp
8 Titus : Stabs sailor for 6hp
4 August : TBD

Round 4:
13 Evarice : CLW on Johann for 6hp
12 Sailor #2 (-6hp):

Latest Map

Still Up: August