Dead Reckoning

Game Master Kruelaid

"I'll help you up Aref I'm a excellent climber, I used to run the roof tops of Magnimar in my youth that's where I learned to climb! Sometime you run into things and well you've have to climb down!"

Thank you, my new friend! This is quite the climb and my nerves are on edge at the thought. Your assistance is most calming.

"So tell me about these lands Aref while we climb."

Eyes Cordoba's sword and dagger.

"That's some fine steel you has, Cordoba. Can ole Turin haves them when ye dies?"

"Kev, take this magic dagger. I have my trusty sword at my side."

"So tell me about these lands Aref while we climb."

.............and when in an oasis, beware for many are the beasts that come for the water, and some live in the water. Take the Maaj for instance, in their mature form, a big mouth with tentacles that likes pools of water in the northern desert. They like to grab thirsty prey from beneath the waves and drag them down below the water as a snack. That is why I have a Water Noose to gather waters from a distance.

"Jackalope tasty. So you not climb Aref? Haha. No look down. Pray Pharasma lots."

"Jackalope tasty. So you not climb Aref? Haha. No look down. Pray Pharasma lots."

Oh, I'm climbing. I am just none to good for the climbing. The heights don't bother me, just my ineptitude.

Matters of Perspective
It’s a little more than an hour before sunset and the desert below is awash in the fiery hues of the setting Qadiran sun. You are working your way up the mesa slowly and carefully, without accident and with no sign of the monster Calebra; and with the easier climbing you recognize that you have almost reached the top.

The evening couldn’t be better.

Until hearing a sound familiar yet much louder than you recall. A sound that from the tiniest wasp makes people jump and shiver.

But these… these… just... looked… so much smaller when you saw them from below.

...and the dreaded Jackalope. Part Dire Hare, part dire antelope they be able to disembowel a man with with their antlers after hopping 30 feet to surprise the fellow. Always beware the Jackalope!

Has Tyndal seen this thread?

Rackham, more stoic than usual for the past couple of days, takes to the rock face surprisingly well for a frail, middle-aged man. He begins to scale the rock wall, copper-shot plank dangling ponderously from its rope.

Climb: 18 + 0 = 18

Climb DC is 10 here, you have +2 for the excellent roping that Syd and the Bhuka have done.

You can jump between the shelves, or just leap to your death if you want.

Not only is the map vertical (you can climb about 5 per round) but the wasps have a range from the cliff surface indicated by the color key.

Roll initiative...

>>>>>MAP<<<<<

"This... buzzing?"

Init: EPIC FAIL (read: 1 + 1 = 2. But you knew that.)

There! De wasps!!
initiative 1d20=13
Nice map! Am I on a flat surface to stand? I am guessing that the horizontal lines are shelves.

Pulsifer sets the base INIT for everyone with a... ONE.

The following PCs are currently climbing: Cordoba, Rackham, and Syd.

Syd can rope down to Jon's ledge with a single move action, and keep his standard action IF he makes a DEX roll DC 10.

Rackham can get one hand free to cast, but his ass is hanging over the edge of eternity.

Cordoba can climb up but has to share a five foot ledge with Bohdan.

The following PCs and NPCs are on a ledge or close enough to hop back when they hear the thundering buzz: Scorpion, Jon, Wetsands, Aref, and Ryor.

11 Wasps: Init +1 (DEX 12)
8 The Deceiver: Init +7 (DEX 16)
5 Ryor Saar'Narlok: Init +4 (DEX 18)
4 Aref Sami Sharokh: Init +3 (DEX 16)
6 Bhuka: Init +3 (DEX 16)
3 Sydley Hentooth: Init +2 (DEX 14)
2 Rackham Pulsifer: Init +1 (DEX 13)
2 Jon Qiang: Init +1 (DEX 12)
1 Bohdan: Init +0 (DEX 10)

I'll post the wasps' actions during my break

Ryor swings over to a ledge and pulls out the crossbow.Acrobatic 1d20+9=20

Sorry, I was in a hurry....

Scorpion, Wetsands, Sandwhisper, Aref, Ryor, Jon and Bohdan are on ledges or close enough to start Round one on solid ground. The rest of you are dangling. Syd can drop down on his action and will have a standard action if he makes a DEX roll. When Cordoba climbs up and the two share the small space, Bohdan and he will be considered flat footed.

The wasps approach, the buzzing so loud you can barely hear each other.

One approaches Syd, moving to P-Q/9-10, it is currently 20 feet out from the wall.

The other approaches Pulsifer and Jon, moving to P-Q/13-14, and it is also 20 feet out from the wall.

Huge compound eyes scrutinize you.

Alpha 2 is up

Fire away guys, don't worry about init order for now.

Aref fires off a bolt of Acid at one of the wasps, but misses. 1d20 4=8, 1d6 1=3 at the one in P-Q/13-14
"Bah! I vill get you vermin."

Would it be possible to climb up to H15?

Alpha 2 is up

Can you post a link? Can't find it. Thanks.

Would it be possible to climb up to H15?

You'll be there on round three.

"Bleedin' Ada! Jaspers!" mutters Syd.Dex check (1d20+2=8)

He tries to get down to the ledge...

Would it be possible to climb up to H15?

You can climb 15 feet, all the way, but the DC is 15. You still get the +2.

He tries to get down to the ledge...

Syd hits the ledge on an uneven spot and has to reach for a hand hold, losing the name of action for this round.

Can I take ten on that? I am not yet under attack. If the Deceiver is under attack before his turn then he commits to full defense while hanging of the rope. Imagine Jacky Chan.

Can I take ten on that?

Yes I believe that you can.

Please bear with me guys this is the first time I've tried doing something like this using D&D... =)

attack,damage (1d20+2=7, 1d4=2)
Jon throw his dagger at the wasp P-Q/13-14.

The Deceiver climbs up the rope, hoping that he reaches his destination before he is attacked.

Takes 10 for a total of 18

Sandwhisper, Palmseed, and Scorpion fire shortbows:

1d20 4=19, 1d6=1, 1d20 4=7, 1d6=1, 1d20 4=18, 1d6=2

Two arrows find their marks - wasp 1 take 3 hits.

Wetsands throws a javelin:

1d20 5=16, 1d6=2

And also hits his mark. Wasp 2 takes 2 hits.

>>>>>MAP<<<<<

Waiting for Ryor, Rackham, and Bohdan to post their actions.

Poor Rackham, nowhere to go.

Jon throw his dagger at the wasp....

Jon's dagger spins off into the sky.

Seeing how the wasps haven't attacked yet and are quite a bit away from him, Bohdan concentrates on making sure the ropes are holding up for the last goblin to follow.

delaying my action until the wasps come within 30' of me - then I have a little surprise for them. :-D

Rackham, hanging precariously away from the ledge, levels his right hand at the second wasp. With a small motion, as if the wizard were turning an invisible knob, a wave of flame bursts from Rackham's palm.

Casts Burning Hands. Is that 1d6 or 1d4?

Rackham, hanging precariously away from the ledge, levels his right hand at the second wasp. With a small motion, as if the wizard were turning an invisible knob, a wave of flame bursts from Rackham's palm.

Casts Burning Hands. Is that 1d6 or 1d4?

It's 2d4... but remember that the wasps are actually 20 feet out from the wall too, so it's not really in range. The fire could scare them away, though.

Shooting wasp #1
Truhwang
1d20+4=10 1d10=6

Ryor's crossbow bold shoots between the wasp's legs and hums into the sunset.

Round 2

Bohdan and Pulsifer take their readied actions as the wasps approach:

>>>>>MAP<<<<<

11 Rackham Pulsifer: Init +1 (DEX 13)
11 Bohdan: Init +0 (DEX 10)
11 Wasps: Init +1 (DEX 12)
8 The Deceiver: Init +7 (DEX 16)
5 Ryor Saar'Narlok: Init +4 (DEX 18)
4 Aref Sami Sharokh: Init +3 (DEX 16)
6 Bhuka: Init +3 (DEX 16)
3 Sydley Hentooth: Init +2 (DEX 14)
2 Jon Qiang: Init +1 (DEX 12)

Both wasps curve closer to the cliff-side as they slow and look for the source of the enemy stings and weigh up the meat-sacks as tasty treats for their larvae.

Readied actions by Pulsifer and Bohdan here. Assuming wasp 2 is still able after Bohdan's action (if not I'll retcon):

When Wasp 2 approaches close enough, flame erupts from Pulsifer's hands and is sucked into a downdraft by the humming, invisible wings. Reflex: (1d20 1=6) The wasp wobbles and spins around but regains control above Ryor and Cordoba at I-J/13-14. When the wasp is about 5 feet from the wall the blow is powerful but Cordoba manages to keep his footing well enough to twist away when the monster thrusts its stinger toward him: Att, Dam: (1d20+5=13)... it misses. It seems that there will be no changed outcome if your attack is effective Bohdan. Let it rip. Pulsifer please roll Round 2's readied action 2d4 burning hands.

Wasp 1 drops and sweeps in toward the cliff wall hovering above Jon and Syd 5 feet out from the wall at N-O/10-11. It turns, huge insect legs clawing at Jon hungrily as it thrusts its stinger toward him: Att, Dam: (1d20 5=21 hits, 1d3+5=6 points of damage)... the glistening point plunges into Jon's shoulder. A searing heat instantly spreads through Jon's body.

Waiting for Bohdan's readied action and Pulisfer's burning hands damage (2d4).

Everyone else can go for this round.

Waiting for Bohdan's readied action and Pulisfer's burning hands damage (2d4).

2d4+1=6

The Deceiver draws his rapier and jabs it at the wasp.

Attack and Damage (1d20+3=16, 1d6+1=7)

The wasp rakes at you as you pull the ichor soaked blade from its thorax.

Eeewww!

Your meal won't be of us you vile bugs! Aref spits on his hands and concentrating he draws caustic energy into being, hurling the acidic blob at one of the wasps(#1), trying to distract it from his injured companion. 1d20 4=22 Ranged touch, 1d6 1=7 damage.

Acid burn vapors curl downward in the wash from it's wings. It's lift falters and it sinks a few feet, reaching out to the cliff wall.

Damn, had hoped they had moved in together, oh well, I'll just have to try and take them out one at a time

Bohdan raises one hand high and weaves a mystical symbol in the air and at the word "Voda" a torrent of water appears over the approaching wasp, fully drenching it. and hopefully sending it plummeting

Create Water over wasp #2, that's 4 gallons of water weighing 32 pounds suddenly hitting it... wasps and similar flying insects don't like water as far as I know (cue Mythbusters episode where bees were sprayed with either water or vodka... most of the "water bees" died, while the "vodka bees" were fine).

Jon is angry and draw his great sword to wasp #1.
attack,damage (1d20+7=12, 2d6+6=14)

Create Water over wasp #2, that's 4 gallons of water weighing 32 pounds suddenly hitting it...

Priceless. I'm going to give it the reflex for half rule (DC plus caster level). He fails it's the desert floor.

Reflex: 1d20 1=14

Water created from nothing, in an instant, pours over the monstrosity and it twists, evading part of the divine cascade... but still the wings, heavy with water, move slowly for a moment as gravity claims it. It falls but hooks the cliff side below Bohdan (I-J/26-27) and avoids the 350 foot fall to the desert floor.

Jon is angry and draw his great sword to wasp #1.

attack,damage (1d20+7=12, 2d6+6=14)

You have a full round attack, so you can use overhand chop and do 2d6+8. Do this anytime you don't move more than five feet in a combat round. But alas, you missed.

Jon, shaking the burning internal pain from his mind for a moment, swings brutally at the horror - but the wasp narrowly avoids death from Jon's tremendous swing, which brushes against the spiny, clawing legs.

You have a full round attack, so you can use overhand chop and do 2d6+8. Do this anytime you don't move more than five feet in a combat round. But alas, you missed.

forgot about it