GM Black Powder Chocobo's PbP Case of Missing Persons (Inactive)

Game Master Black Powder Chocobo

My dear GM, you do know me so well ;-P

Declyn spits at the beast when it grabs him, feeling powerless to do anything now that he can't use his weapon... until suddenly he is ten feet away from the beast once again, bewildered at the sudden change of events. Though he wouldn't let that stop him from doing his job. Time to die, beast! Bring a message to your master for me! The message being the retort of his musket as it rains hot metal upon the big hairy beast.

Using his last judgement for the day, choosing Judgement of Sharpshooter to ignore 6 points of cover.

Very thankful for that Reliable enchantment I put on this fun of mine!

Nice post Lamare, that'll get you something, although it is a full-round action to inspire the crowd to move, so you'll be where you are instead of moving closer to Declyn. More later!

@Declyn: I need miss chance for the last 3 attacks; the first one missed, but the others will be against concealment 20%. I"ll roll 'em later if you don't :)

Miss Chance 1!: 1d100 ⇒ 76
Miss Chance 2!: 1d100 ⇒ 18
Miss Chance 3!: 1d100 ⇒ 57

Well, that still went better than expected

Again, sorry for the delay on this. Personal stuff came up that I'm still dealing with, but I'll try to be better on focusing on this. Plus side, Declyn did his job :P

A real post will come up by tomorrow, but also kudos to Lamare for helping move the crowds.

Alright, finally getting to this!

@Lamare: Just to let you know, technically you missed the DC for the Diplomacy, but I gotta give you a bit of extra credit for such rousing dialogue :) However, using Diplomacy to influence/control the crowds is a full round action, so you're back in your original position. But trust me, you did good :)

The panic of the crowd quiets down somewhat as the Desnan shouts over the crowd, inspiring them to make a getaway from the deadly insect swarm.

The few people still stuck in the swarm are assaulted.

Red Swarm damage: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7
Black Swarm damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

A few people succumb to their injuries, but the vast majority of the crowd escapes the swarm's wrath.

Meanwhile, the crippled Nix hides under Amarthecthel, waiting until he can recover enough to strike back.

Declyn's volley isn't as successful as he hopes... until he hears a thud as the large beast lays unconscious on the floor. By 5 HP at that!

Surprise! Arrow @ Rogar: 1d20 + 20 + 3 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 3 - 1 - 2 = 39
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 6 + 4d6 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (1, 4, 5, 4) + 8 + 3 = 37
Fort Save on hit: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 = 28
Str damage on failure: 1d3 ⇒ 3
Second Surprise! Arrow @ Rogar: 1d20 + 20 + 3 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 20 + 3 - 1 - 2 = 29
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 6 + 4d6 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 6 + (4, 4, 5, 1) + 8 = 30
Rogar falling damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

A pair of arrows strikes the floating dwarf simultaneously, causing him to hit the ground hard as his life fluids pool around the unconscious body.

Once again, the force of the arrows moves the body enough that no one can get a bead on the sniper's location... Once again, freaking high Stealth and not high enough Perceptions from the party.

Lastly, the blue outsider flies to Nadil. "Oh love, need someone to keep you company since you got rid of your 'friend'?", she coos before trying to grab him!

Grapple @ Nadil: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Nadil Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Crowds need more guidance to finish running away.

Init Order (bold = up)
Nix (73 damage, prone)
Archibald
Declyn (40 damage)
Blue outsider (grappling)
Wasp swarms (black, blue, red, yellow)
Sniper
Lamare
Amarthecthel
Rogar (69 damage, prone, unconscious, bleeding out)
Pelkin
Nadil (grappled)
Crowds (10,2,2,18 damage)

Calling on all his prior training, Nadil concentrates on summoning an elemental being.

Concentration DC 16+div's CMB: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37

If it works:

A massive beast made of pure air appears right behind the blue div and transforms into a giant whirlwind in an attempt to blow her away.

Standard action to make the whirlwind, move action into the div's square. She needs to make a DC 23 Reflex save or take Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 4) + 8 = 15, and then take a second DC 23 Reflex save or be swept up in the whirlwind. If she fails both saves, the elemntal moves, with her, 95 ft to the north. Otherwise, it ends its turn adjacent to her.

Nadil tries to summon an elemental, but finds his temptress grappler restricting his actions. "Oh darling, trying to bring a third to this? I'm more than enough for you."

Pelkin will use Dimensonal Hop to move to Rogar and cast Stabilize.

As a swift action Pelkin will active his Judgment of Protection. AC 33, AC 36 vs crit confirms.

By the way, amused props to GMBPC for the crowd icons on the map!

The invisible Amarthecthel speaks to Pelkin. "It is Amarthecthel. Should I get Rogar and Nixkamich to safety or will you stay and revive them?"

The magus is eager to close with the enemy, but won't leave his allies undefended.

Pelkin - I can fly R and N off the battlefield pretty easily unless you want to stand here and heal them up.

Active spells and hexes: invisibility, mirror image and fly.

Declyn curses in anger at the turn of events before throwing himself into the corner of the building he is next to and tries to get a good shot on the blue woman grappling Nadil. He needs the remaning party at as full a strength as possible if they're going to somehow take out this hidden archer picking off his compatriots...

As far as I can tell, she is within 120' which should put her within my third range increment, giving me a -4 and targeting normal AC. Fingers crossed that something good happens.

@GM: The concentration is against her CMB, not CMD, if that makes any difference in my situation.

@Nadil: It does; dumb GM is dumb. Thank you for letting me know!

Nadil does not give up, and clenching his elemental muscles, he powers through and finishes his summoning!

Blue woman reflex: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

The fiendish seductress manages to avoid getting sucked into the whirlwind, her wings keeping her aloft in the air while holding onto Nadil. "Oh darling, I'll be the one to rock you like a hurricane!", she taunts, licking her lips as her claws try to dig into Nadil's robes.

Pelkin moves over to Rogar's side, preventing his dwarf ally from bleeding out.

Declyn meanwhile tries to relieve the pressure on Nadil with a hail of gunfire. However, the flowing form of the elemental whirlwind provides enough cover to cause the bullets to miss the flying target. Since you switched judgments, you have nothing that reduces cover AC, correct? If I am wrong, please correct me on this!

@Amarthecthel: Heh, thanks. I thought it appropriate.

Init Order (bold = up)
Nix (73 damage, prone)
Archibald
Declyn (40 damage)
Blue outsider (grappling)
Wasp swarms (black, blue, red, yellow)
Sniper
Lamare
Amarthecthel
Rogar (69 damage, prone, unconscious)
Pelkin
Nadil (grappled)
Elemental
Crowds (10,2,2,18 damage)

Pelkin tries to avoid looking at Amarthecthel with his See Invisibility active so not to give away his friends position. I am more the fighter than the healer but I will try to give these two cover. Try to find that archer!

"As you wish it," says the elf, and launches himself into the sky, trailed by his invisible faerie dragon familiar.

"Kalamardian, find the archer, but do not engage. If you find it, tell me. Then fly and tell Pelkin and the others."

Amarthecthel Perception: 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 3 = 11
Kalamardian Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

If either spies the archer, Amarthecthel moves there. Otherwise, he charges to Nadil's aid.[/b]

[ooc]Assuming she doesn't see him coming...

1st attack, +1 keen icy burst cold iron scimitar: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 2 = 30 <--Vs. Flatfooted AC

Critical Hit?: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 = 20 Probably not

Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + (2) = 13

Active spells and hexes: invisibility, mirror image and fly.

does my earth elemental still appear? This mod is brutal.

You are correct, though I was opperating under the assumption of a failed summons from Nadil... not that it would make much difference with those rolls though, heh.

@Rogar: No, you were knocked unconscious thus ending the spell.

And yes, this one is rough. Oddly, it's more of a strange dice game; I need to basically roll a crap Stealth for sniper and a good Perception from anyone else. Once that happens, the scenario tends to end quickly.

@Declyn: Fair enough; I did say it didn't go through... and actually the cover was the only thing that prevented a couple of hits

@Amarthecthel: So you have an option: To specifically look during your turn when it's not reactionary is a move action. So you can either look for sniper or attack blue outsider, but not both. This doesn't affect Kalamardian if you wish to just use him (her?) to scout), just your attack really.

I'll wait a bit longer for Lamare and possibly Nix (not sure if Nix has any tricks up his sleeve he can do in his position)

Sadly, no... I am just focusing on not being a target...

@Amarthecthel: So you have an option: To specifically look during your turn when it's not reactionary is a move action. So you can either look for sniper or attack blue outsider, but not both. This doesn't affect Kalamardian if you wish to just use him (her?) to scout), just your attack really.

Kalamardian is a scout and Amarthecthel is a warrior. We'll let them stick to those roles.

Twommorow. Anyone have tried to intimidate the crowd?

No one's tried to Intimidate the crowd yet.

I can't do this but it is a free action and know some of us are pretty intimidating.

Lamare flies toward the prince hoping it was not a real assasination. He urges people to safety but call for his companions to use faster method.

If he is still alive but poisoned. Accept affliction. If he just bleeding a channel. and then prone.

I don't remember lot of thing but i think that bow assasin need to be close.

Pelkin will then try to scatter the crowds. Flee! Run for your lives!

Intimidate: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Lamare flies to the prince... but finds no body.

Pelkin tries to stir the crowd, but it is just too big, too loud, and he fails to get their attention.

Full update tomorrow!

No body... That mean... Guys, There no body here! I think the blue thing was the "prince" if you know what I mean!

Boom! That gets you a +5 bonus on the Intimidate/Diplomacy checks!

I'll allow Pelkin to reroll with that new bonus if he adds that in the dialogue... and to anyone else who makes said claim.

Full post around noon my time (2+ hours)

Did you hear that! No body! Now please, get outta our way so we can save everyone!

Intimidate again!: 1d20 + 12 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 5 = 37

That was a good reroll.

With Lamare's revelation, Pelkin is able to push the crowds out further away from harm!

Since the swarm is stationary (thank goodness), I'm removing the crowds for this combat.

Amarthecthel's blade sinks into the blue woman, an icy explosion following the swing.

Extra crit damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1d10 ⇒ (2) + 5 + (2) = 9

She is wounded, but still in the battle. "Mmm, while a menage a trois sounds tempting, I need to finish with my first guest.", she calls to Amarthecthel.

Nix tries to play as a non-threat, not wanting another volley like that coming his way.

Grapple @ Nadil: 1d20 + 12 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 5 = 22 Ahh nuts :P

The blow also loosens the woman's grip enough that she lets go of Nadil!

Sniper arrow @ Lamare: 1d20 + 20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 3 - 2 = 40
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 6 + 4d6 + 8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (6, 6, 5, 2) + 8 + 12 + 3 = 53
Crit confirm @ Lamare: 1d20 + 20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 20 + 3 - 2 = 29
Extra damage on crit: 2d8 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 12 + 6 = 22
Sniper arrow @ Lamare: 1d20 + 20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 3 - 2 = 40
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 3 = 11
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 20 + 3 - 2 = 38
Extra damage on crit: 2d8 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 12 + 6 = 21

0_o ouch Sorry Lamare.

Two arrows pierce right through Lamare, one through the throat, the other right through the heart, the butterfly dead on the railing, before slumping to the stage. Once more, no one has sight of the sniper whose accuracy seems to be only getting better in the heat of the battle.

Init Order (bold = up)
Nix (73 damage, prone)
Archibald
Declyn (40 damage)
Blue outsider (32 damage)
Wasp swarms (black, blue, red, yellow)
Sniper
Lamare (107 damage, dead)
Amarthecthel
Rogar (69 damage, prone, unconscious)
Pelkin
Nadil
Elemental

Schnikies! Folks, that sniper is much more important than this div. Declan, Nix and Pelkin all have great Perceptions. They need to stop what they're doing and actively look for the sniper. Otherwise he murders one of us per round. Amarthecthel and his low Perception will take on the div.

"Lamare!" yells the elf magus, fury rolling through his blood like an ancient, irresistible tide. "Everyone, find that damned sniper!"

Meanwhile, Amarthecthel attempts to end their div problem. He lets the flow of magic in his elvish blood guide his hand as he exacts a modicum of revenge for the fallen priest.

Swift Action: Spend 1 Arcane Pool Point for Arcane Accuracy.

Concentration Check (cast defensively (DC 17)): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

1st attack, +1 keen icy burst cold iron scimitar & frostbite & Rime Spell: 1d20 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 5 = 281d6 + 5 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 5 + (5) + (4) + 9 = 28
2nd attack, +1 keen icy burst cold iron scimitar & frostbite & Rime Spell: 1d20 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 5 = 231d6 + 5 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (3) + (5) + 9 = 26
3rd attack, +1 keen icy burst cold iron scimitar & frostbite & Rime Spell: 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 5 = 181d6 + 5 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (6) + (2) + 9 = 26

I think that's two hits for 52 points of damage. If she's still up, she is also fatigued and entangled in ice.

Amarthecthel still has 4 mirror images active.

Kalamardian, Amarthecthel's invisible faerie dragon familiar assumes that the sniper is probably on one of the rooftops. He flies to each in turn and casts detect magic to catch the building's roof in the spell's cone. He will start at the 3 o'clock position and move clockwise, one building per turn.

Albeit, that was an exceptional round... double crit... oy vey!

Other problem is that I am rocking the Stealth rolls right now.

SR check: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 = 13

Amarthecthel's blade cuts into the woman twice, but he finds the initial spell not working on her as that part of the cold washes over her.

She's at 59 damage, but still up

By the slag of Torag's forge! Declyn shouts to the heavens at the loss of Lamare. At Amarthecthel's demand, Declyn activates the goggles on his head, causing the lenses to glow green around the edges granting him a +10 bonus on perception checks as he looks around for this thrice damned sniper.

Perception: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (17) + 29 = 46

My thoughts exactly. Pelkin will try to pinpoint the location of this sniper.

If I can, I'll also drop prone and go Total Defense, unless the active Perception thing takes up too many of my actions.

Perception, with Heroism: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 20 + 2 = 25 Sweet Christmas.
Reroll Perception, with Heroism, if I haven't used my reroll in this game yet, I don't remember: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 20 + 2 = 25

Pelkin walks away.

Heh. I understand how you feel. On the bright side, if Declyn didn't just spot this guy, nobody is going to.

Gods, that would be awful if I didn't spot him... I'd sound the retreat at that point. Remember when our worst problem was dealing with endless stinking clouds? Those were the days...

I didn't see his post. Hopefully he does and can point him out so I can use my turn to confront him instead of cowering... and save my reroll, if I had it.

Thinking that the unseen archer is much more of a threat than the div next to him, Nadil flies five feet to the southwest (I can't fail the DC 10 fly check) and redirects his conjuration to align with the Nine Hells. The massive whirlwind disappears, and a hauntingly beautiful, winged woman appears in a puff of brimstone and smoke (casting Summon Monster VI as a SLA to summon an augmented erinyes devil). The she-devil scans the battlefield in search of the hidden bowman (she has True Seeing out to a distance of 120 ft.).

@Pelkin: Yeah, too many actions there; I'll assume you'd stay standing, but use Total Defense and the Perception

Both Pelkin and Declyn look around... but they see no sight of the sniper!

The devil in the air doesn't spot the sniper in hiding and instead blasts the swarms, causing havoc to their numbers... but they're still there.

Red Swarm Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Blue Swarm Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Yellow Swarm Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Black Swarm Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Assuming Nix is playing dead/trying to avoid attention

The wounded outsider moves adjacent to Nadil and Amarthecthel, slashing at the magus in anger!

Claw @ Amarthecthel: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
MI chance high is hit: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Amarthecthel Fort on hit: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Claw @ Amarthecthel: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
MI chance high is hit: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Damage on hit: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Amarthecthel Fort on hit: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

However, both flying party members easily dodge the furious swipes!

Surprise Arrow @ Amarthecthel: 1d20 + 20 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 20 - 2 + 3 = 27
MI chance high is hit: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 6 + 4d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (2, 3, 2, 1) + 12 + 3 = 35
Surprise Arrow @ Amarthecthel: 1d20 + 20 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 20 - 2 + 3 = 24
MI chance high is hit: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Damage on hit: 1d8 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 = 12

Amazingly, Amarthecthel's magical defenses hold, although there is now only one more copy floating with him, one lost from the outsider and two vanishes from attacks unseen. Unfortunately, no one still seems to be able to figure out the sniper's location.

Init Order (bold = up)
Nix (73 damage, prone)
Archibald
Declyn (40 damage)
Blue outsider (59 damage)
Wasp swarms (black 10, blue 21, red 21, yellow 10)
Sniper
Lamare (107 damage, dead)
Amarthecthel (1 image)
Rogar (69 damage, prone, unconscious)
Pelkin
Nadil
Devil

I didn't spot them even with my active perception of 46 farther upthread?

That is correct! :)

VALUABLE METAGAME KNOWLEDGE! :D

Well, since a 46 Perception did not see anything, True Seeing doesn't help, and looking down from above (to try and negate cover) doesn't help either, clearly, this is meant to be a turkey shoot ;-)

About the only other thing I can suggest is using the air elemental (with its massive fly speed) to buzz all of the surrounding rooftops to find the shooter, since stealth doesn't work if you don't have something to hide behind...

I suspect Declyn's mighty 46 didn't work because he is not in Declyn's line of sight. Even a 46 won't let you see through a building. Note that the Erinyes -did- get a roll to see the sniper. GM, does Amarthecthel know how good Declyn's Perception is? I could fly down and give him a birds-eye view if I knew.

@Amarthecthel: I think it would have been established earlier that he has good eyes :)

@Nix: A possible idea. The thing is that whoever finds him will he won't eb stealthed from, but everyone else is still unawares until more is done to make him visible and stay that way. The hard part so far is getting that first success!

True, but that person can *tell* everyone else where he is, so that we can potentially do something (like, say, Glitterdust him) to make him more visible...

In any case...

Still wanting to contribute, Nixkamich scrabbles to his feet, and retreats part-way down the alley behind him, hoping that that will cut off line of sight from the sniper to him.

Unless he is on the edge of the building directly above me, that is...

The erinyes flies next to Amarthecthel while drawing her hair rope and throws it at the div.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27
If it hits, the div is entangled as the Animate Rope spell.

Nadil 5 foot flies to the southeast and casts Heroism on Amarthecthel.

Pelkin will use Dimensional Hop to get on top of a building so that he might be better able to see where the arrows comes from.

Hopefully the building closest to me is tall enough to accomplish this.

Perception?: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 20 + 2 = 32