GM Giuseppe's Kingmaker (Inactive)

Game Master Giuseppe Capriati

Surprised to see Kryo piggy-backing on Serolt but happy everyone was more or less safe, the inquisitor urged them on.

"C'mon, get to the other side! Hopefully my armor will help with any missiles. Are they following?"

He looked at Kryo, "Can you walk?"

Jacobus waited for them to get a head start before he followed.

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delay my action until the rest of the group has acted and follow behind
fast climb: 1d20 + 3 - 4 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 3 - 4 - 5 = 14
Kryo left a rope right?

second climb check ONLY if no one is left behind. If there's someone behind, Jacobus will 'shield' them from missiles.
fast climb: 1d20 + 3 - 4 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 4 - 5 = -3
oops...

Serolt continues to climb with a monkey on his back, first down, then up the other side.
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Fast climb: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 5 = 5
Fast climb: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 6 - 5 = 8

What’s the penalty for jumping encumbered?

As she nears the end of her first climb Rok drops the final feet and begins climbing the other side, still shaking in fear.

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Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Kryilani releases Serolt's belt and grabs onto the roots to continue the descent into the chasm without hampering the archer.

"I can walk! I can't walk happily, my gut still burns where the little bastard cut me, but I can walk!" he shouts ahead happily to Jacobus. Any fear in the little sorcerers demeanor seems to have melted away with the bloodshed, and the combat.

He managed to lower himself down the chasm wall, and immediately starts to scramble up the far side.
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Climb check down one side, and climb check up the other
climb 1: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14
climb 2: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
ROUND 5
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The party has managed to escape the dire situation its member found themselves in, and now everyone is climbing the opposite wall of the chasm, in the hope of reaching a safe position. Roksana, Kryolani and Serolt all manage to do the climb, and now are at 15 feet from the bottom of the chasm, and 5 feet away from their goal. Jacobus climbs last, but manages to follow his allies efficiently before a hanging root wraps around his ankle. Thankfully, the Abadaran is able to hold on to another hanging root and avoid the fall. Now he’s at 15 feet from the bottom of the chasm just like his allies.

---

You can’t see the mites no more from your current position, and they have grown ominously silent. Their cheers and rejoicing have abruptly ceased, leaving you to wandering what those nasty blue scribbles are scheming in the dark of the cave where they’re gathered.

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---- INITIATIVE ORDER ----
--------------------------------

• Roksana
• Serolt
• Kryolani
• Jacobus
• Mites
• Mik-Mek

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Looking down from his precarious position, Jacobus thanks Abadar for his luck. Seeing the goal so close, he slows down and attempts the rest of the climb.

"Where's the kobold? Maybe we can hole up in his place for a while. I'm sure the storm is still raging outside."

He turns to kryo, "Ask the kobold if he's interested in some pest extermination and he could get others from his tribe to help out."

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climb: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 4 = 14

"I suspect the answers there are a resounding Yes and No, respectively" Kryolani replies as he struggles to climb up the far side of the chasm.

"He obviously hates these Mites, probably more than we do. But I think all those slaughtered Kobolds we saw outside were the remains of his tribe trying to help. I'd be surprised if they could lend support to a bunch of outsiders after such a solid loss. I'll try, just...do not expect much."

Kryolani then calls forward to Mik-Mek, "Korrasch shak yagask Mik-Mek. Torrosk shak ta'aska. Corrosh garra?"
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1st attempt
climb check: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
2nd attempt
climb check: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

"Can they come to us from the other side?" Roksana asks in a panicked voice as she hauls herself up. "We never did inspect the other end of the tunnel. That's where their reinforcements must have come from. We should just run, just leave the tunnels and get back to the horses, rain be damned."

As soon as she reaches the top, Roksana runs toward the exit of this section of the tunnel and attempts to head toward the surface.

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Climb: 1d20 ⇒ 18
Move action. Frightened for 7 more rounds.

Serolt doesn’t want to run, but Rok makes the argument moot. He charges off after the warrior and back to the horses.
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I would NOT have fast climbed last round while carrying Kryolani. Not at a -6. But I will now that I’m free of his weight. :)
Fast climb: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 5 = 16
Fast climb: 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 5 = 3

Climbing tirelessly the party eventually manages to get out of the Sycamore without any further trouble. Fortunately, the mites do not come to the group from the other side, and the four Swordlords' agents manage to climb their way out this subterranean hell.

---

When you get out of the Sycamore, the first thing you hear is Mik-Mek's answer to your previous question: the kobold didn't had the time to answer you while you were so intent on fleeing. "My tribe is far far away. Many days far. We need to recover that statue, or we won't be welcome guest in my tribe's cave" explains the kobold using the Common tongue.

Outside is raining. A storm has gathered and now the sky is filled with lightining and the air with the echoing boom of thunders crashing somewhere near. The rain falls thick and heavy, and your horses are nowhere to be seen, apart from Kasper. Regins is balled up near the sycamore, his fur soaked in rain.

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Ok guys, you're out, and no one died, so given the premises it wasn't all that bad. Now you have to tell me what would you like to do. As you know, being exposed to a lightning storm is perhaps an even worst danger than the mites. Also, your horses ran away, maybe in fear, but their tracks are fresh and easy to follow. Being exposed to a storm implies the risk of being hit by lighting, so don't blame me if you choose to stay outside and then get struck by a lighting :D That being said, I want to give you as much freedom of choice as possible in this situation, so please take your time to analyze the situation in character and discuss what to do next. I would like to have a plan ready for Tomorrow morning, when I'll wake up and post moving things forward. Good overnight roleplay guys!

He goes to Regin and pets him, but doesn't try to dry him off. There's no point. "Hide in the tree my friend. Hide there while we return."

- - -

Once Rok's flight settles, he pushes Jacobus for the wand. "Get everyone healed quickly. We need to go back in there and finish what we started. Besides, they have my scimitar. It might not be cold iron, but I like that scimitar none the less and want it back."

He is ready to head back as soon as folks are healed.

"Kryolani, I know you might not be able to help much, and that's OK. I think...if we're careful about our surroundings, we should do OK. Maybe head down the other tunnel this time so we don't have to deal with that damnable crevasse."

"When we get back inside, I suggest I summon a Dire Rat and send it down the tunnel the way we went last time. It won't last long, just a few seconds, but it might be long enough to be heard and draw the mites out that way while we come in the other."

"The rat can't do much against them as it's not cold iron or anything, but it might get their attention."

"When we get back inside, I suggest I summon a Dire Rat and send it down the tunnel the way we went last time. It won't last long, just a few seconds, but it might be long enough to be heard and draw the mites out that way while we come in the other."

"The rat can't do much against them as it's not cold iron or anything, but it might get their attention."

Shivering from the cold and ominous rain, the inquisitor agrees about going back inside for shelter.

"Serolt, do we need to attack right now though? Couldn't we rest up in the first chamber we entered? How many mites were left? And that tick, that looked scary."

He then looked at the kobold, "Listen friend, you're going to have to earn your keep if you want the idol back." He addressed the Shonati again, "Serolt, save your spells and let's have the kobold be our...caller."

Jacobus didn't want to use the word 'bait' for fear that the kobold would not agree.

Jacobus then whipped out the wand and started healing both wizard and cavalier.
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please roll your own healing 1d8+1 and let me know how many charges were used so I can discount them

"Sorry about all that boys." Rok says shaking her head. "If there's one thing I hate about magic, it's s@+! like that. I never would have left you there otherwise."

She walks to her horse, the only one that stayed where he was put. "You're a smart beast aren't you?" She leans against him, head on his neck and takes the time to relax as she listens to Serolt's plan, letting the rain wash over her. "It's too bad we got rid of those bear traps, those would have been useful against those ugly things."

"Regin can hide in the tree, but" Realizing she still hasn't named her horse she pauses for a moment, considering the animal, Loyal, smart, yeah it works, let's just hope you live longer. "I don't know what to do about Kasper here, I somehow doubt he'll leave but he'd probably be safer running with the rest of the horses. Speaking of which, do you think we'll be able to track them after all this rain?"

She shakes her head at the inquisitors suggestion. "And if he dies? Then what? Then we did all this for nothing."

_______________________________________________________________

CLW: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 6) + 2 = 13 -2 Charges

Kryolani gives Roksana's shoulder a tight squeeze, "It's magic, Rok. It happens. Not a thing to take blame for, and we did pretty well while we were down there."

"As for Mik-Mek, I'd rather keep him as a lookout, to make sure nothing tries to come up behind us from that shaft. No reason to get him killed in the process." he says quietly, on order to keep from startling their new ally.

"Besides, part of the problem is that they had a chance to bunch up into a group we couldn't take, in a room that was too small to fight freely. I'm much more confident of our chances if we take them out in one of the more open spaces, and by surprise."

"But I DO think we should go right back in. They are injured, at least some. We're fresh, aside from my arcane reservoir, and I can still throw acid all the live-long day."

Thinking about it for a moment, Kryolani continues, "Actually, another point for going back in, if we wait till tomorrow, whatever they did to Roksana? They'll probably be ready to do it again after a good night's sleep. But if we wait out here for an hour or so, then go back in? We could catch them with their pants down, and partially injured if they don't have a cleric of some sort to heal them."

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CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 -1 charge

"Kryolani, I'll not wait an hour in this storm. Might be the lightning avoids us, might be we get hit. But I want to be under some cover if we can. I say we go now that we're healed and ready."

"Jacobus, I'm not sure I'd want to try and rest eight or ten hours down here with them so close. Might be they ambush us in our sleep and we'd lose some time waking up. Sure, we'd have guards, but the rest of us would be at a disadvantage."

"No, I think we need to take the fight to them. We need to be together, and not climbing that damnable chasm." he grins as he says it, clearly not that upset at their failure and eager to make it right.

"And yes, Mik-Mek, he's with us." I want to keep an eye on that one...

Jacobus nods as he heals his own wounds with the wand.

"OK, I'm ready then. Do we have a plan? Do we want to explore the other tunnel to the east so we're not caught off guard?"

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CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
deducted 4 charges from CLW wand

Kryolani nods at Jacobus's suggestion, "Yes, absolutely. Who knows, we might even get lucky and find a less fraught route down to where the giant tick was hanging out. I think we could take him if he didn't have us cornered under a low ceiling, and with our backs up to a chasm."

Kryolani turns to the kobold, "Hey Mik-Mek, you need any healing? It looked like they were working you over pretty badly in there."

"I not go alone! I not go first! Mik-Mek is a warrior! Mik-Mek fights with his human friends!" quickly answers the black-scaled kobold in his poor Common.

"Agreed. We go East first." Serolt nods.

"Now, let's get out of the rain and kill some mites!"

He checks his bow and quiver, and makes ready to descend.

The party members have healed their wounds and they have decided to try their luck again against the mites dwelling amid the sycamore’s roots. Roksana climbs first, followed as usual by Serolt, Kryolani and Jacobus. Mik-Mek is the last one in order of climb.

You easily climb down the 20 feet deep tunnel leading to the chamber to the east, the one you’ve not explored yet. Roksana is the first one to step on the ground of this chamber. The wet-looking floor of this large cavern is crisscrossed by several shallow trenches, each containing trickles of putrid-looking fluid. Six foul mounds of compost and dung lie heaped about the room, each studded with small spherical eggs. Also this room is sized for small creatures such as the mites. Ceiling height is about 4 feet high, with much of the upper foot a tangle of roots and thin stalactites.

---

Environmental Rules: Medium creatures in these cave are forced to stoop over or adjust the swing of their weapons, and suffer a –2 penalty on all attack rolls made within this chamber as a result.

---

As soon as Roksana lands on the wet floor of this chamber, she sees a horde of mites looking at her hatefully. It seems like the mites have been gathering here, predicting you return. There are 7 mites in this room, along with their tick-mounted leader. Also, there are 3 giant centipedes among the mites’ ranks and the vermin appear to be ready to strike at you as well. As soon as they spot the half-orc entering this chamber, the mites begins hissing and shrieking, spitting curses at Roksana in their strange language. They wave their small knives in the air furiously, and are clearly mustering their courage for the incoming battle.

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---- INITIATIVE ORDER ----
--------------------------------

• Serolt
• Roksana
• Mites
• Jacobus
• Kryolani
• Mites’s boss and giant thick
• Mik-Mek
• Giant Centipedes
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Only Roksana has actually landed when the fight begins. Serolt is still climbing, 5 feet away from the floor. Kryolani is 10 feet away from the floor, just like Jacobus. Those characters who are still climbing when the fights starts, must use a move action to attempt a DC 5 Climb check to land if they want to join Roksana’s side in the chamber. Also, they cannot take 10 on their Climb checks anymore, since the combat has already started.

New Roll20 map available.

I’ll be posting again at 11:30 P.M. GMT +1.

Serolt climbs down the last few feet and moves to give room for the others to descend. He pulls out his bow.
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I guess I did not send the dire rat the other way, so I still have that spell. Let me know if that is incorrect. :)
Also, I don’t see an updated map. Just put me in position - thanks!!

Climb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

"Rok? Is there a welcoming committee?"

Jacobus hesitated, "Are we sure we want to go down there? I hear a lot of noise; how many are there?"

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no action yet, waiting to see about the map issue and waiting for Rok/Serolt to answer

When he gets to the bottom and looks around, he panics.
"Jacobus, I need you here in front of me so I can shoot!"

Jacobus hesitation goes away at the sound of Serolt. He continues his climb down and positions himself in front of the Shoanti.

Frustrated by his lack of progress, the inquisitor tries again.

He whips out his mace and prepares to smash the critters. "I'm here. Let's get their chief, maybe they will scatter."
________________
climb: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 4 = 2
Oops, I think I fell. if so, standard action to get up?
I don't think I can attack but let me know otherwise
climb: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 4 = 11
POST WAS EDITED

Kryolani finishes scampering down the final portion of the wall into the new chamber, anticipating a quick, bloodthirsty battle with the swarm of mites. Seeing the forces arrayed against them, he draws his wand of Burning Hands and waits for the dirty little fey to rush them.

"Jacobus, You and Rok keep them off us while Serolt and I work on killing that dang tick. It's the most dangerous thing down here for sure."

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climb check to get down
climb check: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

"I'm here. Let's get their chief, maybe they will scatter."

"You're not wrong Jacobus but if they start to cast again we might all be fleeing for our lives. Keep an eye out for magic."

She then steps forward and starts trying to clear a way towards the tick rider in the back, swinging her hammer at the giant centipede in front of her.

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5' Step
Warhammer: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 191d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
ROUND 1
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Serolt joins Roksana just as the half-orc moves forward and turn the giant centipede in front of her to mush with a single, powerful strike of her warhammer.

The mites throw their darts at Roksana, yelling insults at her in their guttural tongue. None of the darts actually damage the half-orc though, protected by her metal armor, apart from a single dart which hits her in the neck*. One of the mites tries to engage Roksana in melee, but the creatures misses pathetically.

Jacobus and Kryolani join their allies in the chamber. Mik-Mek climbs down as well, taking place near to Kryolani. The kobold draws a small dagger stolen from one of the mites’ corpses several minutes before.

The giant centipedes closes in to attack Roksana, as directed by the mites. The first one actually manages to bite Roksana, causing her a bad wound to her left leg**. The second one misses almost as pathetically as its mite master.

---

Environmental Rules: Medium creatures in these cave are forced to stoop over or adjust the swing of their weapons, and suffer a –2 penalty on all attack rolls made within this chamber as a result.

--------------------------------
---- INITIATIVE ORDER ----
--------------------------------

• Serolt
• Roksana
• Mites
• Jacobus
• Kryolani
• Mites’s boss and giant thick
• Mik-Mek
• Giant Centipedes
_______________________
* Roksana takes 2 points of damage.

** Roksana takes 1 point of damage and must attempt a DC 13 Fortitude save or she’s poisoned (please Rok, if you fail your save, add “poisoned” to your current conditions so that I remind of dealing poison damage to you).

Roll20 map updated!

I’ll be posting again at 01:30 P.M. GMT +1.

Serolt targets a mite near Kryolani, hoping to end a life with every shot. Seems unlikely, but he will try.

Damn it's tight in here. Should've bought reduce person potions!
____________________________________

Shooting at Mite #5.
Longbow (cold iron): 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 - 2 = 10 (point blank, ceiling) damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9 (point blank)

Roksana grunts as she shakes of the pitiful attacks made against her but something sets her veins on fire and she knows she's been infected with something. Standing her ground she swings at the nearest centipede using her hammer to vent her frustrations.

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Fort DC 13: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Attack on #3: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 - 2 = 131d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Much as it pains me I'll remind you that I was diseased earlier as well, I've failed more fort saves than will saves at this point.

"Good hit Rok! Keep it going."

Jacobus brings forth his heavy mace to bear on top of a centipede hoping to emulate the half-orc's strike
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hit centipede to my southeast
heavy mace to hit, 2H, low ceiling: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 2 = 9
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The sorcerer curses under his breath, weighing the potential injury to Roksana by flame against the continued threat of the many monsters that surround her.

Praying that his decision is the correct one, he raises his wand and calls forth the last of it's power to light the middle of the room on fire.

_________________

Thankfully, casting from a wand doesn't provoke. Sorry Rok! I do dearly hope this is the correct choice, but there's no way we could have discussed this tactic in the instant Kryolani had to act.

Burning Hands: DC 11 reflex save for half damage.
Burning Hands Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

"What the hell, mage?" Rok cries out as the flames scorch her skin.

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Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Sorry Rok, I truly am, but we've got to clear these guys out asap, and there's only so much room in here! Jacobus, heal her, please!" he says, as he moves in behind the Cavalier to keep her from getting surrounded.

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In my last post, I used my standard action to roast some mites (and a Roksana, sorry!). In this one I'm using my move action to 5 foot step in behind her.

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
ROUND 2
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Serolt, forced to stay bended by the low ceiling of this foul-smelling underground chamber, nocks an another arrow and fires it. Unfortunately, the environment is not ideal for a tall human to use a bow, and thus he misses.
Roksana vents her frustration on a giant centipede, turning it to mush with a single, powerful blow of her warhammer. After she strikes the blow, however, she suddenly starts to feel clumsier and slower*.

Right after, the mites shriek in frustration and hate seeing the half-orc taking down yet another one of their beloved vermin pets. Two of the them, mustering their courage, step forward and try to attack the cavalier with their knives. The first one misses pathetically, but the second one is able to breach in the half-orc’s defenses and actually wound her. The remaining mites keep throwing darts at Roksana, focusing their attacks on the enemy they’ve seen killing two giant centipedes. Although their aim is not that bad compared to the previous times in which you had the displeasure to witness the mites’ ranged combat skills, only a single dart actually causes harm to Roksana**. The others just fly over her head or crash into Roksana’s armor. Before throwing its dart, one of the mites looks back to his leader whistling orders through his gaping mouth and steps back, allowing the boss and its monstrous mount to wade in the fray.

In the meantime, to Roksana’s side, Jacobus tries to bring down his mace on the last living centipede with all of his fury and focus, but unfortunately the low ceiling does enough to prevent him from striking a precise blow, and his swing misses the centipede.
Suddenly, Kryolani draws the wand the group found in the roots of an old tree in the Kamelands, along with several other items once belonging to a wizard. Now, the wand is in Kryolani’s hand and the Brevic sorcerer easily activates it, creating a huge burst of flame investing many mites, a centipede…and Roksana! Both of the mites caught in the explosion are ready and reactive, and they jump away just enough to avoid being devoured by flames. Somehow, the giant centipede manages to protect itself from the explosion as well, coiling as a snake. The only one be completely invested by the flames is…Roksana!

As the Rok and Kryolani start arguing aloud about Kryolani’s dangerous tactic, the mites’ leader takes his chance and rides his tick mount in the fray. As always, he cannot attack, but as soon as the giant tunnel tick reaches Kryolani, the vermin attacks the sorcerer, almost as if it was eager to finish what it had began a few minutes before in the other room. The monstrous tick bites the nobleman leg and partially devours it with its razor-sharp teeth. Then, the creature also manages to grapple his foe. The mites’ leader laughs eerily as he sees his mount consuming one of his enemies***.

Mik-Mek joins you and wades in the fray himself, shouting a Draconic battlecry as he climbs atop a foul mound of compost and dung and brings down his dagger on the mites in front of him. The kobold fury is so great that he actually manages to hit the mite with his makeshift knife. Unfortunately, the creatures are resistant to mundane weapons, and Mik-Mek’s blow was not enough strong to ignore that natural resistance. The kobold, seeing that his accurate attacks causes no harm to his opponent, hisses in frustration.

The giant centipede, the last of his kind still alive, blindly attacks Roksana, but thankfully the half-orc dodges the creature’s clumsy bite without any difficulty.

---

Environmental Rules: Medium creatures in these cave are forced to stoop over or adjust the swing of their weapons, and suffer a –2 penalty on all attack rolls made within this chamber as a result.

--------------------------------
---- INITIATIVE ORDER ----
--------------------------------

• Serolt
• Roksana
• Mites
• Jacobus
• Kryolani
• Mites’s boss and giant thick
• Mik-Mek
• Giant Centipedes
_______________________
* Roksana takes 2 points of damage to her Dexterity score and she must attempt another DC 13 Fortitude save against poison to resist further negative effects.

** Roksana takes 3 points of damage and 1 point of nonlethal dam-age.

*** Kryolani takes 10 points of damage, 1 point of Strenght damage, 1 point of Constitution damage, is grappled and must attempt a DC 16 Fortitude save against disease. If he fails, he must add “diseased” to his list of active conditions.

Roll20 map updated!

I’ll be posting again at 08:00 P.M. GMT +1.

Seeing Kryolani attacked Roksana turns her attention to the Mite on the tick as she swings her hammer hard despite the awkward angle.

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Fort DC 13: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Warhammer on Mite Boss: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 2 = 191d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Things were turning bad to worse; the tide needed to turn quickly.

Jacobus once more hefted his mace and attacked the giant centipede in front of him.

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mace to hit, 2H, low ceiling: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 2 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Serolt focuses his meager attentions on the leader's steed.

He focuses all his anger on that one tick.*
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* Swift Action: Ranger Focus on target for +2 attack and damage rolls

Shooting at the big damn tick.
Longbow (cold iron): 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 - 2 - 4 + 2 = 17 (point blank, ceiling, cover, focus)
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 10 (point blank, focus)

As blood gushes from his terrible leg wound, Kryolani calls out to the others, "Kill the damned tick, it's the most dangerous thing here!"

Then, ignoring the horrifying wound in his leg, Kryolani shifts his hand into a claw and rakes it across the face of the giant tick.

This effort costs him dearly, the blood loss and trauma of the act driving him unconscious.

__________________________

So, first off, he's grappling me, so the tick is at -4 dex. If anyone wants a free shot at the beast, now is the time! It's clearly more dangerous than anything else down here, having done 3 times the damage of the rest of the mites and centipedes combined, in one hit. Upside, since he's grappling, I get to do automatic natural weapon damage without having to roll to hit!

Claw Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

upon rereading the grapple rules (damn you, overcomplicated rules system!) I make actually need to roll for an attack, as I am not the person currently in charge of the grapple. As such, I'm including my roll, if needed, below.

attack roll: 1d20 ⇒ 8

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ROUND 3
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Serolt, even though forced to shoot from an uncomfortable position, manages to hit the giant tick with his arrow, causing a deep wound in the creature’s disgusting body.
Roksana, in the meantime, has been able to wear off the negative effects of the poison while attacking the mites’ leader with her warhammer: although forced to attack from an almost crouched position, the half-orc manages to hit the mite and knock him down, unconscious. The mites’ leader collapses to the ground, unconscious and badly bleeding. The other mites shriek terrified as they witness the scene, but they seem to react with anger instead of being overwhelmed by fear. Roksana’s past as a mercenary has taught her that often, when a rider is killed, his mount flees the combat: her tactic was clever, but unfortunately the outcome doesn’t match her expectations, because the giant tick appears to be more than willing to continue the fight even without its rider to command it.

The mites keep throwing darts at Roksana, their attacks fueled by anger against the one who dared knocking their leader down. Their attacks, however, miss pathetically except from a single dart lodging in the cavalier’s arm*. The two mites engaged in melee combat try unsuccessfully to hit Roksana with their knives as well. Both them fall to the ground right after trying to hit the half-orc, their little bodies too weakened by Kryolani’s spell to continue the fight.

In the meantime, to Roksana’s side, Jacobus mashes the last centipede up with a powerful swing of his mace**.
Kryolani, grappled by the disgusting giant tick, struggles to get free from its grapple, but eventually decides to try and hit the creature: a pair of razor-sharp claws jut out from his noble hands, but although his attack is fueled by the force of desperation, the man isn’t enough strong to actually hit its monstrous opponent.

The giant tick reacts to Kryolani’s attack by trying to keep his grapple firm and then bite the noble man to suck the life out of him. The creature is not enough clever to realize that his grappled opponent is no threat to it anymore, so it holds the grapple and sucks part of Kryolani’s life out of him***.

Mik-Mek desperately tries to fight back and overwhelm the mite in front of him with his draconic fury, but his attack is weak and inaccurate, and misses. The kobold keeps hissing in frustration…before realizing that Kryolani is being grappled to the death by the giant tick. “You have to help the one who speaks the tongue of dragons! he screams in both fear and anger while moving away from the mite and getting closer to the tick, wielding his tiny dagger furiously.

---

Environmental Rules: Medium creatures in these cave are forced to stoop over or adjust the swing of their weapons, and suffer a –2 penalty on all attack rolls made within this chamber as a result.

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---- INITIATIVE ORDER ----
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• Serolt
• Roksana
• Mites
• Jacobus
• Kryolani
• Mites’s boss and giant thick
• Mik-Mek
• Giant Centipedes
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* Roksana takes 1 point of damage.

** Jacobus, I couldn’t let you attack the tick because there was no way for you to reach it. If you take a look at the map, the tick is not adjacent to you, so I just redirected your attack against the most dangerous-looking adjacent foe.

*** Kryolani takes 7 points of damage, 1 point of Strenght damage, 1 point of Constitution damage, and is still grappled.

Roll20 map updated!

Kryolani flops limply around in the mouth of the monster tick, blood still pouring from his wounds.
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Whoo! I know it looks bad, but tactically, I think this was about the best possible outcome for us. If the tick is focused on me, the rest of you guys are free to beat on it. I will attempt to stop bleeding freely on the carpet

Stabilize: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Seeing his way still blocked but recognizing the death trap that Kryo was in, Jacobus tried to incapacitate the giant tick, at least for a short time.

"The tick! Let's kill the tick!"

He cupped his hands to his moth and screamed, but no sound came out of his mouth. But the tick seemed to have heard something...

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cast ear piercing scream at the tick, DC 13 fortitude save halves damage and negates daze
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Serolt continues to focus on the tick.
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Shooting at tick.
Longbow (cold iron): 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 - 2 - 4 + 2 = 18 (point blank, ceiling, cover, focus)
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 10 (point blank, focus)

Seeing Kryolani so terribly wounded spurs Roksana into a controlled rage. Even crouched as she is, she sees an opening in the giant insects defenses and revels in the shock of her blow as it connects with her fow, the full force of her swing perfectly transferring into the hard exoskeleton of her foe.

"Die!" She cries through her pointed teeth, the orcish fury in her blood clear for all to see.

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Warhammer: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 2 = 241d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Warhammer: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 2 = 192d8 + 8 ⇒ (6, 6) + 8 = 20

Jacobus, take 2.

Seeing his way still blocked but recognizing the death trap that Kryo was in, Jacobus tried to heal the wizard.

He yelled at Serolt and Rok, "The tick! Let's kill the tick!"

_______________
cast cure light wounds
healed for: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
since Jacobus goes first, does this allow Kryo an action this turn?

Kryolani's eyes snap open, and an icy chill sweeps through his body from the point where Jacobus touched his arm. His heart pounds, as if mere moments ago it had been laboring for life.

Taking a panicked glance at the situation, claws spring back out of Kryolani's hands, and he takes a weak swipe at the nearby mite, hoping to sucker him into letting his guard down against Roksana's mace.

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Kryolani take 2, under the assumption that Roksana just killed the everloving HECK out of the tick. If healed for nine, then I never would have failed that stabilize roll, leaving me at 1hp, prone, on the ground. With the strength penalty, I literally CAN'T harm the Mites without using Acid Splash to bypass their DR, and attempting to do so at melee range would trigger two attacks of opportunity. Thus I will attempt an Aid Another action to give Rok a +2 to hit the adjacent Mite next round. I need to hit a dc10, but I've got a -6 penalty. At least it doesn't trigger any AoO!

Aid Another: 1d20 - 6 ⇒ (14) - 6 = 8

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
ROUND 4
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Serolt, focusing all of his being on the giant tick, shoots at it and hits it with deadly accuracy, opening another bleeding wound in the creature’s flesh.
Roksana, in the meantime, brings down her warhammer on the giant tickwith terrifying strength. Her blow is so violent that she smashes the creature with a single strike. Ichor and blood burst out in a putrid explosion that fills the room.

The mites seem to have lost their boldness, and now they fight nervously and silently, almost as if they were devoting more attention to find a good escape route than to hit you. One of them actually does try to flee, climbing up the tunnel overhead. This gives Mik-Mek the chance to attack the fleeing mite, but the kobold misses wildly. The mite manages to climb up the tunnel and disappears from your sight. The three remaining mites move closer to one another as to gain boldness for their vicinity. They throw some darts at Roksana, frightened almost to their deaths. One of these darts actually hits and harms Roksana, but it’s just a bruise*.

In the meantime, Jacobus heals Kryolani and the nobleman tries to help his half-orc ally.

Mik-Mek fights bravely against the remaining mites, but his attack, although very accurate, isn’t enough to actually harm the mite he aimed for. Mik-Mek cannot help but hiss in frustration.

---

Environmental Rules: Medium creatures in these cave are forced to stoop over or adjust the swing of their weapons, and suffer a –2 penalty on all attack rolls made within this chamber as a result.

--------------------------------
---- INITIATIVE ORDER ----
--------------------------------

• Serolt
• Roksana
• Mites
• Jacobus
• Kryolani
• Mik-Mek
_______________________
* Roksana takes 1 point of damage.

Roll20 map updated!

Serolt moves up to give Kryolani cover and shoots the middle mite.

”Keep on them, if they escape they could gang up on Regin or our horses!” he shouts, concerned for the animals.

Pharasma makes cradles for us all... even the wicked.
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Shooting at the middle mite of the three.
Longbow (cold iron): 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 - 2 = 20 (point blank, ceiling)
damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6 (point blank)

Roksana turns from the pulverized tick and wades deeper into battle swinging her hammer at the nearest foe with a growl.

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5 foot step attack the mite east of me

Warhammer: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 2 = 221d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7