GM BPC's Deepmarket Deception PbP (Inactive)

Game Master Black Powder Chocobo

It winds up about 15' between where the party is and the top of the ridge near the Gnoll Red. Normal terrain, and you are on horseback for faster movement. As far as viewing distances, these gnolls rolled fairly poorly on their stealth and Aspex and Benson really only missed it due to distance penalty. But I also took being on horseback into account for viewing range, too.

Know nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

"Looks like this blackened substance on the wood is charred sap. Most have been an extremely intense storm."

Know local: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

"Gnolls, probably mutated by strange magical effects out here in the mana wastes." Gob says as he aims his staff at the closest one. "Well here goes nothing."

MM vs red: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5

Hakime takes her opportunity to dismount..

ride check to dismount as free action: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

She dismounts as a move action... and done.

Kn: Nature: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Wyeth stands in his stirrups and shades his eyes. "Hey," he mutters to himself, "he looks strangely familiar..."

FA Dismount: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Slipping quickly and quietly from Colt's back, he grabs his fauchard...

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

... and practically falls on his face as he tries to melt into the underbrush. "Why, why do I even try to sneak with a metal leg!" Rising to his feet, he moves away from his mount and waits.

It's not clear to me from the map or description which critter was described or where they actually are relative to us. So I won't adjust the map, but basically he'll move away from the horses so they won't be at risk if arrows start flying.

Sheet updated to add horse.

Ride check to dismount: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 Move action to dismount on map-right side of horse, move action to ready crossbow.

Aspex tries to emulate Wyeth but her divided skirts catch her saddlehorn and she ends up grumbling and half hanging from the saddle as she works to free herself. She pulls her crossbow from the holster on the sleek black animal's harness and readies for battle.

The creatures with red borders and blue borders are the ones that were spotted. I enlarged one of the images so you have a better idea of what the ugly is :) I moved you up the canyon somewhat; it at least gives you cover from the closest gnoll unless it moves closer. I also shrunk your avatar back to normal size and put a horse one in its stead; same with Hakime. And I was expecting some rare non-cavalier mounted combat :P

Wyeth and Hakime both dismount, although Wyeth's peg leg both makes for a quicker action and a louder noise.

Gob, meanwhile, simply goes on the offensive, blasting the closest gnoll mutant as it howls out in pain.

Init Order (Surprise Round - Standard action only)!)
Hyena Gray
Hakime
Benson
Aspex
Marduk
Wyeth
Gob
Hyena Orange
Gnoll Red (5 damage)
Gnoll Blue

Mounted combat's not fair to the horse. :o) Next time I'll get one that's all grown up and battle-trained. And some barding, too.

Oh... and I realized after the edit window closed that Wyeth should have risen to his foot. :op

-Posted with Wayfinder

Marduk grabs his temple sword.

"What strange creatures, work of the mentioned vampire maybe?"

Gob, my bad, I forgot something on the statblock! These guys have Spell Resistance 14. I'll assume you made the first SR check since I forgot about it, but when using staff, you'll have to use the staff's CL of 3 instead of your own!

The twin colored bolts of force from Gob's staff launch toward the closest gnoll... but melt away off if its skin harmlessly!

The the mutant gnolls step forward and fire and arrow each at the party!

Gnoll Red arrow @ Gob: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Gnoll Blue arrow @ Benson: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage on ht: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Luckily, both of the ambushers miss with their strikes! The laughter of hyenas can be heard near both gnolls, but the creatures seem to stay behind right now.

Init Order (Round 1 - bold = up!)
Hyena Gray
Hakime
Benson
Aspex
Marduk
Wyeth
Gob
Hyena Orange
Gnoll Red (5 damage)
Gnoll Blue

"Really?" Wyeth shouts as he drops the fauchard and grabs his crossbow. "An ambush attempt followed by potshots from way back there? What cowardly excuse for monsters are they graduating these days!"

Intimidate (as taunt): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 Of course the odds of them speaking Common are probably nil.

Hakime fires her bow at red.

to hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

to hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Unfortunately, her aim isn't at her best.

Aspex follows Hakime's lead and shoots at one of the gnolls. As she reloads she scoffs "Gnolls aren't the most intelligent creatures. They probably didn't put much thought into this ambush."

Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Bolt: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Also shooting at red. Standard to shoot, Move to reload

"Damn mana wastes. These creatures seem to have some resistance to magic." Gob says as he tries again with his staff.

SR: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Again his magic missiles have no effect.

Can we move across the parts of the map that look like steep changes in elevation or do we have to wind around along the path?

Benson decides while others are providing cover, he'll try to close on his horse before dismounting and having at them with one of his swords.

Benson will double-move. I'll move the icon once I know the answer to the above question.

Edit: Ninja posts. I marked two possible paths for Benson. One is a single move with a dismount, the other a double move.

Misses all around!

The party retaliates, but they are just as effective as the gnolls were!

Benson and Marduk are up!

As Marduk lacks any proper ranged weapon, he rides after Benson, likewise for punishment up close.

"I'm with you Benson, together into the fray again."

I missed your edit! The path has to be the 70' 30' path; the other one involves a climb and cannot be traveled directly otherwise

Benson and Marduk ride up ahead to battle the gnolls on foot. They continue their ranged assault, now firing at the oncoming riders.

Gnoll Red arrow @ Benson: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Gnoll Blue arrow @ Marduk: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Benson takes an arrow in the shoulder!

I forgot to have a DC 20 Ride check at the beginning of combat to see if the horses panic as per Mounted Combat rules. Doing it now.

Aspex Ride: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Benson Ride: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Gob Ride: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Marduk Ride: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Their horses begin to rear at the most recent wave of arrows.

Full-round action to control the mount again and do something next round. Otherwise, I'll need a DC 15 Ride check to dismount as a move action; failing that will require you to dismount as a full-round action.

Init Order (Round 12 - bold = up!)
Hyena Gray
Hakime
Benson (5 damage)
Aspex
Marduk
Wyeth
Gob
Hyena Orange
Gnoll Red (5 damage)
Gnoll Blue

Could I just fall off?

I didn't realize that was a ledge there, technically I shouldn't have a shot from where I was... so ...

Hakime leads her horse on foot further up the road... almost to the switchback...

@Gob: Good point; I guess then it'd be a free action to fall, although still a DC 15 Ride check to land safely; failing that means you take 1d6 falling damage and are prone... unless you're a wizard in a 500 gold piece suit and special boots :P

Aspex paid the extra 25 gp to get a mount that is combat trained. Assuming that's alright, she'll shoot back at red.

Aspex stands her ground and shoot back at the closest mutant gnoll.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Bolt: 1d8 ⇒ 6

@Ahh, I missed that then. Carry on Aspex :)

Aspex's bolt barely hits the gnoll, seemingly stuck within its thick hide.

Gob lets his horse throw him from the saddle. Some how the half orc is able to summersault in the air and land on his feet. "Lets try that again. It's bound to work eventually." Gob again fires the twin missiles from his staff.

Spell resist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

"So far I am not enjoying my trip to the mana wastes."

1 damage for the fall.

Last move wasn't processed on map, was it? I still see the arrow from the horse pointing north.

Ride: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Marduk jumps off the horse in a double somersault.

"Okay, they need to be dealt with."

Marduk moves up to the gnoll NE, yay fast movement, drawing his temple sword. But, he attacks with an elbow to the chest.

Elbow!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14Thump: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Pity, rolls are in switched order.

Not clear if the failed DC ride check happened before the double move or after.

Ride: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Dismount as move action.

Benson manages to land on his feet after his horse started to buck. Drawing his dueling blade he advances on the gnoll cowards. "En garde, scum!"

Sorry, I decided that I didn't want to punish your first round actions because I forgot to note the Ride check, so I let the first one pass. The first round move was processed given Marduk and Benson's new locations. Marduk, this also means that even with your fast movement you wouldn't be able to attack the gnoll, although you could reach him. And given your attack roll anyway, it's a bit of a moot point.

Also, Benson damage should have been 9, sorry for the typo there.

Hakime leads her horse up the path, hugging the wall to provide cover from one of the gnolls. Meanwhile, Marduk and Benson easily dismount and approach the closest gnoll as Gob and Aspex fail to cause any harm to the mutated foes.

Giving Wyeth until lunchtime, then botting and continuing.

Init Order (Round 12 - bold = up!)
Hyena Gray
Hakime
Benson (9 damage)
Aspex
Marduk
Wyeth
Gob
Hyena Orange
Gnoll Red (5 damage)
Gnoll Blue

Man, step away for a day and a half and you guys go nuts!

Wyeth strides forward, drops to his one actual knee, takes careful aim, and fires.

Crossbow->Blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4 Based on Aspex's results, doesn't look like that'll help.

Wyeth aids Aspex in providing cover fire, but is as effective as the conjurer.

A hyena moves up and engages Benson, biting at his leg!

Hyena Orange @ Benson: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

However the obvious attack is easily avoided by the sailor.

The engaged gnoll drops his bow, grabbing a longsword and slashing at Marduk!

Gnoll Red longsword @ Benson: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

The half-orc narrowly sidesteps the powerful strike.

The gnoll Wyeth fired at returns fire!

Gnoll Blue arrow @ Wyeth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

However, it's tentacled arm doesn't do much for its aim and the arrow goes wide.

Another hyena moves forward and moves next to Benson who is now surrounded.

Init Order (Round 3 - bold = up!)
Hyena Gray
Hakime
Benson (9 damage)
Aspex
Marduk
Wyeth
Gob
Hyena Orange
Gnoll Red (5 damage)
Gnoll Blue

Hakime fires two arrows at blue.

to hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

to hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Hakime finally lands an arrow. The gnoll growls in pain and glares at the aasimar.

Benson finds his balance and attacks with his sword in one hand and his buckler providing some protection on the other arm.

+1 Dueling Sword: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The odd combination of creatures puts his off a bit, however.

"Hey!" Wyeth shouts, annoyed that the ugly thing has the audacity to shoot back. Struggling to his feet, he moves forward again, reloading as he goes, then repeats the one-kneed procedure.

Crossbow->Blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

I can't work the map from here, but assume he's 20 feet further down the road now. I'll update the map when I get home.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Marduk attack the one north of him.
Elbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10Thump: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Knee: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10Thump: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Staying where she dismounted, Aspex slaps another bolt into her crossbow and fires.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Bolt: 1d8 ⇒ 2

As the missile flies off into the rocks, she throws down her crossbow in frustration and starts pulling a scroll out of her scroll case.

Gob moves up the trial and changes targets, firing his staff at one of the hyenas.

SR: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

MM vs grey: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 2 = 9

The hyena, much more regular looking than the gnolls, is blasted, a yip of pain escaping its mouth.

Aspex, Wyeth, Benson, and Marduk, however, continue the trend of missed attacks against the mutant humanoids.

@Wyeth: Only 5' closer; move action to reload and standard to fire

The ambushers continue their assault, the hyenas attacking Benson while the distant gnoll fires an arrow at Hakime. Marduk is then assaulted by blade and tentacled mass!

Hyena Orange bite @ Benson: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Trip on hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Hyena Gray bite @ Benson: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Trip on hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Benson's blade is enough enough to keep the snarling beasts at bay!

Gnoll Red sword @ Marduk: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Gnoll Red slam @ Marduk: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Damage on hit: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Marduk Fort on hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

While the Iroran happens to duck backwards to avoid the flailing mass, it left him open to a cut that goes across the half-orc's chest!

Gnoll Blue arrow @ Hakime: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Extra damage on crit: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 4) + 10 = 21
That was a close one :P

This arrow seems to be aimed at Hakime's heart! Luckily, the cheap arrow breaks as it contacts with her armored skin and its penetration fails to hit her vital organs; the force of the strike still sends searing pain through her body though.

Init Order (Round 3 - bold = up!)
Hyena Gray (9 damage)
Hakime (11 damage)
Benson (9 damage)
Aspex
Marduk (9 damage)
Wyeth
Gob
Hyena Orange
Gnoll Red (5 damage)
Gnoll Blue (8 damage)

And... silly GM missed something else on the gnoll statblocks; the darn gnolls have DR 5/cold iron. Gob's master Knowledge roll would have caught that. I'll leave the damage as is (mostly for Hakime's single arrow), but you guys may have to get creative dealing with them.

Sensing that the gnoll mutants might be made of sterner stuff, dropped his dueling sword and drew the much more impressive looking elven curve blade, gripping it in both hands. With another flourish, he sent the gleaming edge at the enemy.

MWK Curve Blade: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

But he had not yet found the ideal way to get past the odd creature.

Benson is without his Buckler's shield bonus, so his AC is 18.

"That's more like it." Gob says as he fires another volley at the Hyena.

SR: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

MM vs Grey: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7

Fortunately, Wyeth's fauchard is cold iron and, even without that knowledge, he has been closing on the nearest gnoll with the intent to use it. Admittedly at a snail's pace, but...

Wyeth rises and continues to stride toward the odd creature, reloading his crossbow as he goes, and once again drops to his knee to fire.

Crossbow->Blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Critical Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Critical Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Erm... will he be able to climb what appears to be that steep slope at the edge of the road?

Hakime lays on hands on herself for loh: 1d6 ⇒ 6, then fires two arrows at the gnoll again.

to hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

to hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Both arrow fly far from their target... she takes a step closer to the horse (5' step), hoping for partial cover.

Marduk keeps swinging at the gnoll.
Elbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 231d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Knee: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 181d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

@Wyeth: You may Climb; since it's pretty rocky, the DC will only be 13

The barrage of missiles continues; this time Wyeth lands the blow while Hakime misses both of her strikes.

Gob's magic finishes off one of the hyenas and Marduk finally lands a blow; while dampened by its mutated hide, he can tell that he still dealt damage to the monstrous foe.

Init Order (Round 3 - bold = up!)
Hakime (5 damage)
Benson (9 damage)
Aspex
Marduk (9 damage)
Wyeth
Gob
Hyena Orange
Gnoll Red (9 damage)
Gnoll Blue (11 damage)

Aspex orders her horse to stay where it is and scrambles up the slope.

Double move to get up on top of the slope.

Aspex Climb: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

Aspex manages to scramble up the slope, where she is now in line with the others trying to fend off the gnoll.

The remaining hyena still bites as Benson's heels while the mutant gnoll goes all out again at Marduk. The other gnoll switches targets again and fires an arrow at Wyeth!

Hyena @ Benson: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Trip on hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Gnoll Red longsword @ Marduk: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Gnoll Red slam @ Marduk: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage on hit: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Marduk Fort save on hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Gnoll Blue arrow @ Wyeth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

All of the attackers land successful blows; Benson manages to stay on his feet while Marduk once again takes another powerful strike from the gnoll's blade. Finally, Wyeth takes an arrow in his shoulder, the gnoll grinning as the half-elf's blood is spilled.

Init Order (Round 4 - bold = up!)
Hakime (5 damage)
Benson (15 damage)
Aspex
Marduk (18 damage)
Wyeth (8 damage)
Gob
Hyena Orange
Gnoll Red (9 damage)
Gnoll Blue (11 damage)

Wow, those are some...erm...firm rolls.

Marduk frowns at the gnoll.
"Cheat."

Elbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9Dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Knee: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14Dmg: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Ugh...i should have started combat with someone casting mage armor on me >_>

@Marduk: Don't forget to use your new ki ability :) Can get +4 to AC for a round, or an extra attack when flurrying!

Missed this earlier: "@Wyeth: Only 5' closer; move action to reload and standard to fire." My bad, I was thinking drawing while moving based on his BAB, and muddled that with reloading. Sadly by now I've lost track of where he should be, so the safest thing is for him to not try climbing after all... I don't think he'd be able to close to the slope before the melee's done.

Wyeth grunts as the arrow slams into him, then shouts, "Laugh while you can, ugly-boy!" Quickly reloading, he takes another step forward and again drops to his knee to fire.

Crossbow->Blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Critical Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Critical Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Hehe... if this drags on, three more shots and he's out of regular bolts and will have to switch to... cold iron! Dun dun dunnnn! :o)

Actually you're only 5' off from where your icon was this morning. I forgot about that myself and didn't correct your movement; I moved you into position assuming you were inching closer each time, but you could make the climb in 1 round if you succeed. The gnoll does have a ranged weapon right now so it isn't threatening until it drops the bow. But otherwise, another solid hit, but sadly no crit :P

Wyeth shows the gnoll that he's in for the firefight if it continues, a dangerous wound becoming only a painful reminder due to its unusual hide.

Init Order (Round 4 - bold = up!)
Hakime (5 damage)
Benson (15 damage)
Aspex
Marduk (18 damage)
Wyeth (8 damage)
Gob
Hyena Orange
Gnoll Red (9 damage)
Gnoll Blue (14 damage)

Hakime steps out from behind the horse there and fires at blue.

to hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

to hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
dmg if hits: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5