GM AbyssDancer's 'Ire of the Storm'

Game Master AbyssDancer

Chest Thumper and Francis had hunted together so long that they knew just how to maneuver together.

Though feeling weak, Chest Thumper moved around the little dinosaur carefully. Pious' blessing offset the poison somewhat, at least. He took a swing.

5 foot step to P12.

fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

He managed to shake off the poison as he attacked.

Greataxe plus Bless: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 1 = 12
Slashing: 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Francis only grew angrier and lashed out with claws and fangs.

Bite + Bless: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10
Claw + Bless: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 = 18
Claw + Bless: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 = 18

Bite damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Claw damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Claw damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

In a superb display of practiced teamwork, ChestThumper drew the attention of the little dino with his axe, leaving it utterly unprepared for Francis' savage rending. Shreds of dino fly in all directions.

-Dino x3 x2: Ineffective scratching
-ChestThumper: poison cured (STR damage remains); axe-distraction
-Francis: dino rending
>>Pious: ??
>>Iradyiel: ??
>>Aza: ??
>>Jamba: ??

hey GM AD, which Dino's did Chest Thumper and Iradyiel kill? there are three on the page, you only have red listed on the Turn 007 sheet.

'We need to finish his quick, and get this wood off of our friends.' Panting heavily from the first blow, Iradyiel spins, seeing Chest Thumper and Francis eviscerate the second dino, "Well struck Master Thumper!" He then steps towards the last creature standing, I believe it is red and swings his club again. "Leave my friends alone!"

5 ft step to 'P10' attack: rage, PA bless, AC 15
attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13 for damage: 1d10 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 3 = 22

Apologies. Red dino was the one previously damaged and cursed in round 1, now torn apart by Francis. This leaves Green and Blue. I assume you targeted (and missed) Blue.

Map now updated. Given the confusion over dino placement, you may wish to not have stepped forward to P10. Please advise if you wish to retract, unless someone else steps in beforehand.

Iradyiel's mighty swing lands heavily on a shard of gate, sending broken slivers flying, but his Dino target dodges the blow.

Turn 2
-Dino x3 x2: Ineffective scratching
-ChestThumper: poison cured (STR damage remains); axe-distraction
-Francis: dino rending
>>Pious: ??
-Iradyiel: club-weilding
>>Aza: ??
>>Jamba: ??

No if he could strike from where he was at he wouldn't have moved. Were there three or four Dino's? Didn't Iradyiel kill one already?

Jamba turns his attention to a new dino blue. He attempts to curse that one's AC with Evil Eye.

Aza brought another acid orb into her hand, and shot it at the dinosaur, hoping to actually do some damage this time. "T-take this!"

Touch Attack on Green: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Having stepped up last round I should be able to strike green without moving? If not then Pious steps forward now.

Attack(Green)(STR+Focus+Bless+Mwk): 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Pious grips the base of his blade in his off hand and drives at the reptilian before him as if wielding a spear.

Iradyiel, there was a fourth dino hiding in the animal pen. I disclosed this in the recap, but it was buried and I can understand how you missed this. Incidentally I'm not happy the recap format works mid-combat, so from now on, for combat I will only recap once we are done.

Retcon: Iradyiel didn't move up; I have adjusted the map. Pious did move up, and was able to strike the green dino.

Jamba fires a withering hex at the blue dino, looking to impede its ability to dodge. WIL: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15. The little creature briefly succumbs to the evil eye. -4 AC but only for one turn

Aza casts an acid orb at the green dino, but once again the nimble creature ducks out of the way.

The Green dino enjoyed cover -4 to hit from the corner of the gateway, but this did not aid it as Pious patiently awaits his moment, and runs the creature through as it lunges at Iradyiel. It collapses lifeless to the floor. The last surviving dino retreats full withdrawal to the the centre of the courtyard, subdued and desperate to flee.

END OF COMBAT!

Next turn is up !

Turn 8 - Breakthrough Courtyard

Questions, actions?

Thank you for the explanation on the fourth dino.
Does anyone want to talk to the fourth compsognathus? She looks like she would make a lovely pet :-)

Releasing his rage, Iradyiel looks around the party and then to the lone done. "Is everyone ok? Do you think we could clear the door enough to let the little creature out?" Taking a few moments, using his polearm as a lever to move stuff, he clears a path so the lizard could leave the courtyard.

this should also let us leave in a hurry if we need to.

Pious lends his strength to clearing the gateway, after cleaning and sheathing his sword of course.

"Run free."

This done, Pious heads toward the southwestern building, cautiously investigating.

"I will see if I can calm it down," Chest Thumper said, making his way toward the little dino. The last thing he wants is this little beast running around afraid. It is not aggressive now, but might get desperate if it feels like it can't escape.

He does his best to show it they are not a threat and will offer it a little food, knowing that is the best way to get a little predator to like you.

This is basically going to be a crap shoot. Assuming everyone has cleared the path in Chest Thumper will just direct the dino to leave if he gets a moderate result. If he gets a really good result, he'll try to convince it to stay and help them out for a while.

Wild Empathy + Druid Level - Cha Modifier: 1d20 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 - 1 = 20

Nice! I count that as a good roll. I'll post tomorrow am (uk time) after the others have a chance to post too.

-Posted with Wayfinder

does that mean we can feed the dino? so would it now be wrong to skin our little friends cousins?

I'm assuming that ChestThumper's success is more due to his nature sense, rather just offering it dino snacks. Because it was very happy with the food it had before you arrived....

Unless CT was feeding it scraps from off the bodies...?

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No, he was giving him some of his rations. He's not above feeding it a finger while no one's watching because he has little respect for mortal remains, as they all return to nature eventually, anyway, but he is aware that might disturb his fellow adventurers. I was just using the feeding as a way of explaining what he might do as a normal part of the check. It's always easier to be on something's good side if you give it a treat.

Jamba moved around the room toward the decaying bodies. He made sure to keep the Druid between he and the reptile. He casted detect magic and began scanning the bodies, trying not to interrupt the druids actions or threaten the creature. He then moved toward the well cautiously, still scanning for magic.

Avoiding the little reptile, Iradyiel follows Pious to the southwest building, and asks, "Master Shepard, may I follow you? I don't think we should be alone, it might be dangerous."

Aza let out a sigh of relief as she moved out of the dinosaur's way the best as she could. Her failed attempts to strike down the creatures with her acid orbs had certainly blown through her confidence.

Still, she knew her other talents were better than just heaving a cantrip at something, so she shuffled her way behind Pious and Iradyiel. "I ce-certainly have no problem l-letting the poor thing run off..." She glanced guiltily at the two slain creatures, despite technically having nothing to do with their death.

Warily, the party backed away from the gateway, whilst Iradyiel and Pious dragged some of the wreckage to one side to clear an easier escape path should the dino bolt. In doing so, they both noted that the collapsing beam that had fallen on the party earlier had been no accident: it had been deliberately placed in a precarious position as a trap.

Meanwhile, Chest Thumper slowly approached the sole survivor of the compsognathus pack. He knew of these creatures; he knew of the savage way the pack leader would eliminate rivals and dominate weaker members, and that treated firmly, these creatures could make reliable, even affectionate pets. He offered her a scrap of dried meat in one hand, and was able to reach out with his other and grasp her by the neck, firmly holding her down to the ground for a moment to establish his dominance over her. When released, the dino was subdued but clearly more relaxed. It knew where it stood. This is no tame Dino; that would take more time to achieve. It will however follow you about, it won’t attack you or flee if given space, and may follow orders using the rules for non-tamed handle animal.

Pious, Iradyiel and Aza approached the door to the southwest. Made of timber logs with a wooden-tiled roof, this building appeared to be well made and sturdy. It was clear though that it has seen terrible violence; the door had been caved in, collapsing into a partially-scattered makeshift barrier of haphazardly stacked shelves and crates. Someone had barricaded the door from within, but this had proved inadequate to prevent something else getting past. From within came the heavy odour of decomposing bodies.

Across the courtyard, Jamba approached the fallen figures, sweeping for magic as he went. The body impaled by a spear was that of a young female militia member; the other, also a female, wore the white robes of an acolyte of Abadar with her God’s holy symbol on a simple necklace round her throat. Both bodies had bloated in the tropical heat, and had been gnawed by a variety of scavengers. Jamba estimated that the bodies have been dead for at least a week, if not longer. I have assumed Jamba has not specifically examined the bodies, the spear, or searched the bodies (the latter likely a messy and malodorous job)

Approaching the end of the courtyard, Jamba completed his search for magic sources without success. At the end of the yard a wooden handcart and a sturdy stone well sat before the northernmost wall of the fort. An empty bucket hung from a pulley over the dark shaft. A well-used dagger was embedded in the waterlogged bucket. As before, I have assumed no specific examination here.

Chest Thumper was quite pleased with his success with the little dino. He was tempted to pet it, but decided that would be counterproductive with this kind of beast. Instead, he turned his attention to the rest of the courtyard.

Now that there was some time without falling lumber or attacking dinos, he could investigate.

The cause of death of the militia woman was fairly obvious and he knew he would learn nothing from the spear, though someone with more knowledge about the local tribes might.

The reason for the death of the cleric was less evident and he began by examining her.

Heal Check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

From there, he would move on to give a cursory examination of the handcart. The well was far more interesting, specifically the dagger embedded in the bucket. He examined that particular area much more closely, circling the well, checking out the bucket, even looking down into the shaft.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

"This is very bad. The gate was knocked down by a bone head dinosaur and there were more dinosaurs inside. But there is also a spear so maybe the little dinosaurs were just scavengers but it doesn't seem likely that it was just chance the bone head dinosaur attacked then someone came along at the right time. I think someone was controlling the bone head dinosaur somehow," Chest Thumper voiced his opinion as he performed his examinations.

I don't want to bogart things, guys. If anyone wants to check out the well instead of Chest Thumper, I don't mind and if the group decides to clear the buildings before investigating the courtyard, Chest Thumper will come running if they breach a door.

Pious is concerned about more waiting foes, that's why hes more concerned with the buildings at the moment

"You have a string arm there Iradyiel, a strong arm doing Gods work is an awesome thing."

Pious looked around for a stone or rock, about fist sized. Tossing it over the ruined barricade and into the building proper he listened for any reaction.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Assuming None was forthcoming so he progressed to checking the doorway and moving carefully into the building himself.

Progressing as per the SOP

'Doing gods work?' Iradyiel smiles at the compliment and nods, as 'Pious' throws the rock into the room. "That was smart thinking Master shepard." With his polearm in hand he follows 'Pious' into the room keeping a keen eye out.'Uuuuggghhh that smell is awful' holding his nose as he goes.

taking 10 (17) on perception going into the darkness.

Jamba turned to the Druid as he approached the cart and well. "Dere be no magics here, mon. Do ya ting." He stepped back and let Chest Thumper inspect the area closer. "Dat reptilian nice, nice now? Dat a purty nifty trick ya pulled!"

Chest Thumper grinned at Jamba, a toothy, loose mouthed affair in his case. "I talk to beasts better than people. He won't give us any trouble. Whether he likes us enough to help and for how long..." he gave an eloquent shrug.

He pointed then at Pious and Iradyiel. Unless something caught his attention immediately, he would go to join them.

Pious listened carefully after lobbing the rock into the building – nothing stirred. Easing himself carefully through the doorway and over the crude barricade, he struggled to see in the dim light. Aza remained at the doorway but Iradyiel joined him inside, and as their eyes adjusted, a grim sight was revealed. The building was clearly intended to be a training room of sorts; a straw dummy with a shield target lay on one side of the room, and other training kit was incorporated within the barricade, along with a large and heavy-looking unopened chest. However, their attention was more urgently drawn to three headless human bodies impaled on cabinets by crude spears. Flies buzz about the corpses, constantly landing on the crimson morass of gore where the heads had been removed. The stillness of the room contrasts with what must have been a bloody and violent melee as the attacked forced access.

Iradyiel pulled the chest out to the middle of the room, and opening it discovered it to be full of about 50 lbs of construction supplies - nails, rope, pulleys, hammers, saws, and chains, all of excellent quality. Meanwhile Pious’ eye was drawn to more flies buzzing in one corner of the room; there he found a scaly, green hand in the corner, seemingly severed during the fight. I have assumed you have checked the most obvious things in the room eg the chest. It is down to you to decide whether there is anything less obvious here to find…

***

Across the courtyard, Chest Thumper passed by the militia woman’s corpse, and examined the body of the cleric of Abadar whilst Jamba looked on. It didn’t take much guesswork to determine her cause of death - the righthand side of her upper body is scorched, cracked and charred in a jagged, arcing line running from the tip of her skull down through her neck and through to her right arm. As to what might cause such an injury, there was no clue.

The handcart held no interest; it was functional and robust but not noteworthy. Peering at the well was of more interest. The dagger is of masterwork quality, but of small size. Without a knowledge of local tribes, Chest Thumper could not say to whom it might belong. Looking in the bucket revealed nothing, but looking down the well revealed what maybe a torn item of clothing 30 feet down at the bottom.

It was while considering this that everyone heard the unmistakable whistle of an arrow through the air. ChestThumper turned and saw Francis driven to one knee by the impact of a foot-long shaft with blue parrot-feather flights, transfixing him through the chest. hit by an arrow; 8 damage taking Francis to 0/12 ie. Francis is now disabled per the Core rulebook

The party is in combat!

Both Jamba and ChestThumper sense that the shot came from an arrow-slit high in the sturdy log-built tower directly above them, the highest tower of the four and inaccessible from the ground level. Pious, Iradyiel and Aza all heard the noise, and Aza can see Francis' plight, but none know where the shot came from unless told.

The courtyard offers some areas of total or partial cover from the tower: each of the 5 foot-wide areas at the foot of the tower itself, at the walls of the north and western buildings, and under the handcart in square G13.

Turn 1
>>Pious: ??
>>Jamba: ??
>>ChestThumper: ??
>>Francis: ??
-Red Sniper: ??
-Iradyiel: ??
-Aza: ??

Francis let out a yelp of shocked pain then squealed as he looked down at the shaft sticking out of his chest.

Chest Thumper spun about with a terrified look on his face. His squeal was just as loud and desperate as his brother's. Heedless of the danger, and only peripherally paying attention to where the arrow came from, he rushes to the ape's side.

He has rarely spoken the word's of healing that the jungle revealed to him as a child more quickly.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The half-orc then urges the ape to the barricade with the rest of the group.

Handle Animal + Link: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 4 = 20

Francis is eager enough to get away from the point where he was injured and moves toward the barricade quickly.

Chest Thumper takes a 5 foot step to Francis' side, leaving him at I12 and Francis double moves to N8 after being healed.

N8 is outside the building, in the courtyard. The barricade is inside the building, behind the door (say, N6). I assume you wanted Francis to run into cover in the building, unless you correct me.

Turn 1
>>Pious: ?? in cover
>>Jamba: ?? in field of fire
-ChestThumper: Healing, in field of fire
-Francis: ran into cover
-Red Sniper: ??
-Iradyiel: ?? in cover
-Aza: ?? in field of fire

I should have mentioned that Pious and Iradyiel would have noticed the simple rough-planking door in the south-west corner of the training room. It is shut, but clearly not blocked or locked.

Yes, he definitely wanted to go into the barricade. I gave him a double move and that was as far as I could give him, but I realize he could have run, so he would have. Thanks for double checking/clarifying.

Seeing Francis hit, Pious rushed to the doorway to see chest thumper snarling up at an arrow slot in the tower above. Taking the scene in in a moment he headed back inside and made for the door.

"Upper floor. Assassins"

Generally moving about I guess... 5Q is where I think I end up

As Pious exited the door, Aza took cover next to the doorway, peering in the direction that Pious pointed out. The arrow had startled her, for sure, but there wasn't much she could do if she couldn't see the assailant. Instead, she opted to wait until she could see the target, especially if one of the others had a plan.

Aza takes cover behind the door, but still so she can see, and takes the total defense action.

Jamba took off quickly after seeing the ape drop. Double move to P6. "Jamba goin' ta cut da hearts out of dem assassins by Gozreh's bolts." He is clearly angered.

is there a shield lying around in the training room.

Hearing the ruckus, Iradyiel turns as 'Pious' moves toward the door, "What's going on?"

In the moments after the first arrow strikes, the party scatters for cover. Francis and Jamba dash pell-mell through the training room door. Aza ducks inside, but remains at the doorway, watching the tower and watching in horror at Chest Thumper alone in the middle of the courtyard. Aza currently has an awesome AC 24 (12 +4 air barrier +4 cover +4 total defence)

Chest Thumper knows what is coming as he hears from behind and above him the stretching of the bowstring...but when it comes the impact still takes him by surprise, nearly knocking him over as the second foot-long, blue-feathered arrow buries itself in his back. CT is down to 1/9 hp. The enemy has ducked back into stealth mode; only Aza or CT could possibly get line of sight, but this would need a DC15 perception check.

Turn 1
-Pious: at the sw door of the training room (in cover)
-Jamba: ran for cover
-ChestThumper: Healing, in field of fire
-Francis: ran for cover
-Red Sniper: death from above
>>Iradyiel: ?? in cover
-Aza: watching from the doorway

Turn 2
>>Pious: ??
>>Jamba: ??
>>ChestThumper: ??
>>Francis: ??
-Red Sniper: ??
-Iradyiel: ??
-Aza: ??

Things are looking grim. Remember, certain squares have total cover from the tower (although not from the ramparts). Iradyiel, then round 2 - go go go !

I assumed Iradyiel was in the room, taking a quick look around. I was waiting for someone to tell him what's going on. Before I decide what action, is there a shield lying in the room?

Chest Thumper let out a yelp of pain as he found himself skewered by an arrow. Not a surprising turn of events but a massively unpleasant one, nonetheless.

He knew that the sniper would just continue shooting him if he didn't get into some cover so he rushed to follow his companions. He didn't want the little dino to get massacre either, though.

Even as he ran he made some sweeping gestures and excited shooing noises to coax it into following him.

Handle Animal Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Running into cover. N4, if possible, but anywhere outside the line of fire, otherwise. The Handle Animal Check is a free action since he's a Druid.

I assumed Iradyiel was in the room, taking a quick look around. I was waiting for someone to tell him what's going on. Before I decide what action, is there a shield lying in the room?

There are no shields or weapons lying around in the training room; any there were have been cleared up and removed.

Chest Thumper cannons through the door into the training room with the others, the arrow still sticking out of his back.

At this point, everyone is in toal cover and the party could choose to be out of combat, but the sniper is still out there. Also two clarifications: 'run' needs to be in a straight line: I may enforce this more strictly in the future, and, remember if you 'take 20' now, you are handing the sniper 20 turns to maneuver around you...

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round one, sorry about the delay, I was considering having Iradyiel pick up a shield and run out to give cover...
'Need to get on even ground with the sniper.' looking around the room, "If we are under attack we need to find a way to get to the sniper." Seeing the door in the south east corner Iradyiel walks over to it and opens it. "Excuse me Master Shepard maybe this will lead to the catwalk."

Pleas move Iradyiel near to 'Q5' Move action: walk to door, 2nd move action: open door

Opening the rough plank door reveals a bunk room; a trio of beds rest against the southern wall of the room, one concealing a lumpy, bloodstained mass within its blankets. A simple clothes trunk lies open and ransacked against the northern wall, while an open cabinet stands to the east. A 15' ladder in the northwestern corner leads to the floor above via an open hole; there is no sound coming from the room above. Drops of blood mark a trail from the ladder to the beds, and three more of the small spears seen outside lie on the floor.

Map is now updated

'Great a ladder, ohhh and is that ...' trying not to block the doorway Iradyiel calls over his shoulder, "This room has a ladder up, and what may be a survivor!"

Ok, now that I'm done dragging my feet, let round two begin! yeah just kidding, but thanks for your patience GM AD

Pious ignored the bloody mass, headed straight for the ladder and began to climb.

How far can I get/do I have any actions left at the top GM?

Pious ignored the bloody mass, headed straight for the ladder and began to climb. How far can I get/do I have any actions left at the top GM?

Moving with much haste and little caution, you'll reach the ladder, climb to the top, and see into the room above by the end of the round. I'll pause and let everyone post before describing what you see. I'm not tracking turns precisely now, just estimating them.

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"Apey mon be needin' da healin'. Oh well...guess I an I be climbin'."

Jamba waited for the others to follow Pious.

Aza fished a mirror out of her pack, edging it around the corner and searching the upper floor for the sharpshooter, hoping to get some kind of read on his position - she didn't like not knowing exactly where he was.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Chest Thumper was in no hurry to follow, concentrating on the pain throbbing in his back. He did go into the bunk room, though. While the rest of the group investigated the ladder and the room above, he examined the room he was in.

The trunk and cabinet had already been picked over and he had little hope for the bloody mass, but at least examining it might give him another clue about what they were facing. Given the weapons they had found so far, he assumed the attackers were some small race.

Chest Thumper pulled back the blankets, already fairly sure about what he would find.

Heal Check to identify cause of death: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Francis followed slowly, whimpering a bit as he saw the wound in his brother and patting the half-orc's other shoulder.

'Need someone to help Chest Thumper... wow even wounded he is checking on others first, what a gentle soul.' Impressed with Chest Thumpers actions. "Master Thumper, thank you for checking on the person, I hope their alive, once you're done please let someone tend your wounds."

'That's a really smart Idea, I hope Aza doesn't mind me using her given name, I feel like I know her better than I do the others.' Turning back into the room he asks Aza, "Mistress Aza, that's a great idea, if you see the archer change spots can you call out to us?"

Iradyiel then follows 'Pious' up the ladder.

Not sure how many move actions, If it's one move action to the ladder and a second up the ladder and onto second level. Or it it's one move action to the ladder and up the ladder and a second move action in the room above. If it's the latter: He will go to the door and open it slowly trying to take in the view.

Next turn is up - and whoever posts first gets to claim post #200 !

Turn 9 - The Sniper

is the frog image what the shooter looks like, or the two corpses in the shrine, or both... or neither?

'What is that...that...sound? Why does this room feel wrong?' turning to 'Pious' to see if he seems to feel it too, Iradyiel asks "This must have been their shrine, Master Shepard. Do you hear...that? Or...I can't explain it. Why does it feel so wrong?"

Iradiel moves to look closer at the bodies and then moves back realizing that some of the shattered icons were shaking. Looking from the icons to the holy man then toward the door facing north, Iradiel asks "Should we leave?"

untrained heal check and perception/ knowledge check to see if the bodies are alive and what they are.

heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
knowledge:nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7