DM rel20's "Shadowed Keep on the Borderlands" Part 2

Game Master djpika

Hopefully I have this right. I'm assuming my mount is considered combat trained (otherwise I'll be making a DC20 check each turn to make sure Skorl doesn't freak out). For attacking while mounted, I need to make a ride 5 check (free action). Beyond that, I move at my mount's speed and can attack without further penalty. If I want my mount to also attack during the round, I need to make a ride 10 check.

Well then, time to get a little reckless.

"Let's pin him in, hooded man!" Nibb flings her javelin at the man behind the table and prods Skorl's sides. "Get him, Skori!" Skorl snarls and moves in next to the man.

DC 5 ride check for mounted Javelin throw: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Javelin throw: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Potential javelin damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

I'm moving them to the south square of the man behind the table, aiming to setup a flank opportunity for Alcalde.

if successful in the ride check...
Skorl swipes at the man's legs.
DC 10 ride check for Skirl's attack: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Skorl's trip: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

I think you got your Ride check and your attack roll mixed up.... ;-)

You choose whether or not your oracle's bonded mount is trained for war. It's just like a driud's animal companion, and animal companions can be taught tricks, just like a normal animal. They even get a number of bonus tricks based on your class level.

Is it a new round? Are we back at the top of the order?

I'm guessing that Nibb threw the javelin before Skorl moved? Otherwise that would provoke an attack of opportunity.

This thread seemed helpful on the mounted combat thing.

INITIATIVE
Bandit
Nibb
Zordlon => UP
Alcalde => UP

Note that I added a 2nd door to split the staircase area up. The parchment map was a little unclear. There is a spiral staircase going up and a trapdoor adjacent to it.

Nibb's javelin goes wide as the bandit artfully manoeuvres around the table to dodge Skorl's bite.

Zordlon quickly passed through the doorway, then maneuvered away from the stairway, No telling who may pop out from there, keeping the table between himself and his opponent. Striking a pose, he muttered under his breath and sent a bolt of magical force hurtling towards the enemy.

I cast magic missile! For realz this time.

magic missile damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Well that was disappointing.

Re: Javelin before move - Correct. The move is after the throw. The order was: throw, move, trip attempt.

I also came across that thread and was using it as a guide. I looked through the PHB just the verify and it looked like everything in that thread was correct.

I didn't expect the javelin to hit with the cover but felt it in the flavor of things. I was more hopeful for the trip. Hopefully the mounted combat feat will help keep her safe the coming round. I figure it's worth the risk to counter the crossbow and enable the flank. Besides, "reckless" fits this pair.

As for training, I'll just stick with combat training. I don't see Skorl being the flighty type so having saves just to stay in combat seems weird. The combat training could be further justified by the fact that they live out in the woods where the denizens are less than friendly.

"An animal trained to bear a rider into combat knows the tricks attack, come, defend, down, guard, and heel." That'll use up Skorl's base number of tricks, but he has a bonus trick that you could spend on fetch, perform, seek, stay, track, or work. Stay or track might be useful, but perform might be fun for the LOLs.

Zordlon strikes the bandit in the chest with an unerring bolt that quickly diffuses across his armor.

INITIATIVE
Bandit
Nibb
Zordlon
Alcalde => UP

Armor, eh?
Alcalde hastily coiled his whip, then drew his rapier as he rushed through the doorway and past the stairs to support the dynamic duo.

Armor, eh?

The bandit, reeking of beer breath, attempts to jump on top of the table but ends up stumbling back between Alcalde and Nibb. Stuck there, he drops his crossbow and withdraws his flail, swinging the studded head at Nibb...

bandit1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

which connects with a loud crack.

Running down the stairs, another bandit appears with a grim and stern expression, who quickly fires a bolt at Zordlon.

bandit2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
crossbow damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

INITIATIVE
Bandits
Nibb => Up
Zordlon => Up
Alcalde => Up

Nibb sways from the blow, dazed for a moment before growling at the drunken lout, "Take him down, Skori!"

Skorl swipes again at the bandit's legs.

DC 10 ride check for Skirl's attack: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Skorl's trip: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Flanking offers a benefit to trip, right? If not, then -2 the trip roll

Nibb grabs hold of Skorl's neck, pressing her body low against his in hopes to avoid another blow from the bandit.

Nibb is just going on the defensive. It's probably too risky to try to dismount now.

edit: damn. Well at least Nibb has good command over Skorl. For now they offer the flank bonus.

Skorl has the trip ability, right? He just attacks normally, trying to bite, and if he hits, he gets to make a trip attempt as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. Also, ouch, my hit points! I need those! Right now I'm wishing I hadn't already used Zordlon's magic missile. :-(

Zordlon's club leaps from his hand and flies across the room towards his assailant.

Zordlon's attacking the bandit at the stairs using hand of the apprentice since he's out of magic missiles, doesn't have Precise Shot, and isn't quite willing to crisp his companions with burning hands.

club ranged attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Well crap. I blame Cooter.

Alcalde looks quickly over his shoulder and frowns as he renews his attack on the bandit standing before him, hoping to take the pressure off of Nibb.

Rapier (flank): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Sheesh

Maybe 12 is good enough. Zordlon hit with a 13. Of course, the guy was flatfooted at the time.... I'm wondering if it's past time to make tracks for town.

Ok, no word from Cooter yet, so unfortunately he's still in the reserves.

Zordlon's club makes a loud thump against the stone wall before flying back to his hand. However, it appears to be enough to convince the bandit to move back up the stairs defensively.

Alcalde's lunge meets studded leather, alerting the first bandit to the increased threat. Twisting his weight and attention back to Alcalde with a sideways swing of the flail:

flail: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

WTF??!! Apparently he's really good at hitting the bad guy in the middle...

Metagame bonus note: I recommend going downstairs before up.

Total Defense

INITIATIVE
Bandits
Nibb => Up
Zordlon => Up
Alcalde => Up

I forgot how the trip ability worked even though I have it on Skorl's character sheet. While the past dice still dictate misses, I'll keep this in mind going forward. Let's try this again! Nibb will maintain total defense, bringing her AC to 19.

Nibb holds onto the back of Skorl as he bites at the bandit's leg.

DC 10 ride check for Skorl's attack: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Skorl's bite (if ride check succeeds): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Skorl's bite damage (if bite succeeds): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Skorl's free trip (if attack lands): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Edit: This looks worse than it is. I didn't need to make the ride check since Nibb is not attacking. It looks like Skorl at least landed a bite this time. Here's to hoping the trip makes it.

I'm pretty sure he's on the ground, since armor bonuses don't apply to CMD. Finally some good news! :-D I'll wait for the DM before posting Zordlon's move, just in case he's more fleet of foot than I realize.

Skori manages to catch the bandit's leg in the middle of the frenzy and pull him down.

Bandit1 is on the ground.

INITIATIVE
Bandits
Nibb
Zordlon => Up
Alcalde => Up

"Ah, the miscreant is down! Let us insure that he remains down!"

Zordlon steps forward, dancing around and feinting at the downed bandit.

Zordlon is using the aid another action to give Alcalde a +2 on his attack roll. Hopefully.

Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Booyah! I bet I could've even hit him myself. Don't waste that +2, John!

Alcalde, still regaining his balance from the staggering blow, sees the opening develop and lunges desperately to seize it!

Rapier(+prone+flank): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Damage(if hit): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

(flips table)

(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

I think this guy's a witch.

┏━┓ ︵ /(^.^/)

Kicking himself free of Skori's jaws, the bandit attempts to stand back up.

Provokes AoO

Zordlon swings wildly at the rising bandit.

Club: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

The not-so-funny thing is that Alcalde probably could've hit with a 4 last time.

A mask of concentration settles back over Alcade's face as he stops his errant swing short. Taking a fraction of a second granted by the bandit's flailing tumble to settle naturally back into proper form, he thrusts his rapier again.

Forgot about aid another last time (oops), but it wouldn't have made a difference thanks to the natural 1. However it works out because the prone should have been accounted on the other side in AC and I didn't need to toss it in. Annnnnnyway...

Rapier(+flank): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage(if hit): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Maybe you guys should really flip the table or at least stand on top of it for an additional +1 :(

Despite the frenzied attempt of whack-a-mole, the party is unable to do any permanent damage.

Skorl still gets an AoO (but not Nibb).

The table-flipping will continue until the dice rolling improves.

Stupid nimble bandit. Be clumsier!

Agreed - I was waiting on Skori to take the AoO before moving on with the bandits.

Skorl yelps from the blow of the bandit's boot. The wolf's jaw lets free the leg of the bandit. Growling in harmony with Nibb, Skorl dives back into the fray.

AoO
Skorl's bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Skorl's bite damage (if bite succeeds): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

What is with all the &%#$@ 1s?

If we ever manage to kill this guy, I think we should just grab his stuff and skidaddle. Maybe we can even take him back to town, still alive, for a reward. But if his buddy upstairs is as tough as he is, then I don't think any of us would make it through round two.

I think the randomizer knows that Greg is playing and has adjusted accordingly to reflect reality.

Skorl manages to bite the bandit as he gets up, adding puncture wounds to the list of injuries. Gritting his teeth in annoyance, he swings his flail in retaliation.

Flail: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

INITIATIVE
Bandits
Nibb => Up
Zordlon => Up
Alcalde => Up

Everyone is using 6 sided dice with a pip distribution of: 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, right? right?!

Good on me for managing to reply but not realizing Nibb was up.

Skorl redoubles his efforts to tear into the bandit with his teeth as Nibb cackles and holds tight to the wolf's fur.

Skorl's bite w/flank: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Skorl's bite damage (if bite succeeds): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Skorl's free trip (if attack lands) w/flank: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Well, that was exciting

Grimacing with fear, Zordlon continues to distract his seemingly indomitable foe.

Aid Another to give Alcalde a +2 on his attack roll. This guy's AC is either 15 or 16, and the odds of a wimpy wizard landing a blow with no bonuses to speak of (Zordlon ain't trying to jump up on that table) are pretty slim.

Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

You have got to be #$^%^ kidding me.

Any chance I can confirm that critical aid another to give John a +4 instead of a +2?

:-P

Alcalde lets his mind go blank, slipping easily back into well-practiced forms, and ignoring lingering apprehensions about the staircase to focus on timing his attacks with his teammates'.

Rapier(+flank): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage(as if): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

You didn't even include the +2 from Zordlon's Aid Another. How insulting. ;-)

Also: Please be dead please be dead please be dead

...

Fatigued by the constant barrage of attacks from all sides, the bandit finally succumbs to Alcalde's well placed rapier. His strength failing him, he falls over, catching himself momentarily with one arm on the table as blood soaks through his armor and then slides down to the floor.

Combat Time over.

I'm assuming that he's unconscious and dying, but not actually dead yet.

Zordlon collects the bandit's crossbow and flail, mostly to deprive him of them in case he revived, and quickly checked him for anything useful or dangerous.

Don't know if it's necessary, but...
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Apparently he rolled under the table where Zordlon has no hope of ever finding him.

"Ah, finally the foe is vanquished! But what shall we do with him now? And let's not forget his friend upstairs. Are we in suitable condition to continue?" asks Zordlon, as he presses his hand against the gash in his side where the crossbow bolt scored his ribs.

Unconscious and bleeding.

Zordlon finds a light crossbow, 8 bolts, studded leather armor, a flail, and silver: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11.

Nibb slides off Skorl to her feet.

"That cut looks deep, Elf, my head is ringing, and our Human friend has probably seen better days. Let me see what I can do to help us press on. I would hate to have come all this way to go home so soon. You too stand at the ready in case another drunken fool finds some courage. You go watch those stairs too, Skori."

Skorl moves to the side of the stairs and sniffs at the air. He stands ready to attack whoever dares enter.

Skorl's perception, scent: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Nibb is going to Oprah some cure lights in the order described below, pending interruptions.

Nibb stands with her back against the overturned table, closes her eyes and rests a hand on her forehead. Light glows from her palm, illuminating her face.

Cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Nibb moves to Zordlon and hovers her hand over the gash as it mends under warm light.
Cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Finally, Nibb tends to Alcalde's wounds.
Cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Now then, if these folk insist on being rude hosts, then we should insist on being rude guests." Skorl snorts.

The virtual dice are trying to lull us into a false sense of security. Don't trust them!

"Ah, my thanks!"

Zordlon finishes collecting the bandit's useful belongings, fastening the crossbow and blots where they can be quickly readies. He then moves towards the stairway, peering both up and down.

"Ah, I have a premonition that we should investigate the floor below before attempting to storm the upper chambers."

If someone wants the studded leather armor, let me know. I think that Alcalde is the only one that can use it, and I deduce from his AC that he already has a chain shirt.

I'm also willing to give up the crossbow, but I think that Zordlon is the most likely to use it. That is, unless Nibb wants to get in some practice with with mounted archery? A crossbow would avoid that -1 Str penalty her javelins suffer. Then again, maybe you're going for a thematic look: the spear-chucking wild gnome of the woods. Very cool image. Much better than a wizard waving around a broken table leg that he found in the dump.

I agree that the crossbow works best for Zordlon.

Ok, I am really planning to pay attention now and be part of the party, honest!

Yay!

why doesn't my characters avatar show up? grr..