GM Ragged's Keep on the Borderlands - B

Game Master waynemarkstubbs

Roscoe gets clear - the beasts are big and bulky, but their paws are only short. They only have 5' reach

A bit startled by the sudden appearance of the strange creatures, Orono nevertheless has the presence of mind to launch an arrow at the one that just savaged Houk.

Longbow attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Longbow damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

I have Precise Shot, so there should be no penalties.

The huntress's arrow thunks into the flank of the great creature, eliciting a loud howl.

The second owlbear advances down the path. Sasha growls menacingly, and leaps to attack once the beast gets too close.

Sasha Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The puma snaps and snarls, but can't get a wound on the unfamiliar enemy.

The owlbear swipes at the attacking cat.

Owlbear Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Sasha hisses and yowls as the claws rake her side.

Surprise round over - you may now unleash your full arsenal

Rotation:

Henris - can post
Blaughter - can post
Minah - can post
Owlbear1
Houk
Margut
Roscoe
Owlbear2
Orono

The map doesnt show Owlbear 2 near Minah and Sasha but I'm assuming he's within 5 feet.

Minah steps back out of reach and with a word, she moves her hand swiftly over her club. It takes on a different, more menancing appearance. Casting Shillelagh on her club.

Sasha spits and roars at the owlbear, trying to claw and bite the larger beast.

Claw Attack 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Claw Attack 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Bite Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Claw Damage 1: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Claw Damage 2: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Bite Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The map doesnt show Owlbear 2 near Minah

Mine does - what does everyone else see?

Sasha attacks the great beast, and this time she managed to rake it with one paw, and bite with her great fangs.

On my phone, so I can't tell.

Looking at the halfling, he says, "Yes, Owlbears. This is what happens when wizards drink too much - or conduct questionable experiments."

"Excuse me, my dear," Hebris says, taking hold of Orono's bow. He says an incantation and waves his hands, and the bow suddenly glows. Releasing it, he says, that should pack more of a punch."[/b]

Casting Gravity Bow on Orono's bow. We'll treat grabbing it as a move action.

Blaughter spends a moment watching the way the owlbear infront of him fights. Beasts went about killing different than men, but they still had their patterns and rhythms and a perceptive old soldier could pick up on...the way something with such bulk will try and use that bulk when it swings, pulling back just a hair too far to get the right amount of momentum...and there! There is an opening!

Move action to use Studied Target on the owlbear, then attack. GM, you mentioned flanking earlier...I'm assuming you were just being descriptive as I don't think me and Houk are actually flanking, but I'd be happy to be mistaken.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
BAB(+1), Str (+4), Studied Target (+1)
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
2handed Str (+6), Studied Target (+1)

Also, this is how the map appears to me as of posting.

Henris, would you like to choose another action - gravity bow can only affect the caster.

Looking at the Owlbears attack, Henris conjures Firth a ball of snow and hurls it at the Owlbear attacking Houk before drawing his crossbow.

Snowball: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

Standard action cast snowball. DC 16 Fortitude save it the Owlbear is staggered. Move action to draw my crossbow.

Blaughter might be able to read his opponent, but he is still a little out of practice in getting his hands to respond to the knowledge - his thrust is fractionally mistimed and turned aside.

Henris's magic doesn't need the subtlety of a spearthrust - it blasts into the creature, spreading lines of ice over its body like frost on a window.

Owlbear Fort Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Confused by the sudden attack, and by the number of targets surrounding it, the owlbear thrashes about, before finally turning its fury on

1d3 ⇒ 1

the attactively meaty form of Blaughter. The beast steps forward, a storm of claws and teeth.

Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Confirm?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Blaughter takes 14hp damage

Rotation:

Henris
Blaughter
Minah
Owlbear1
Houk - can post
Margut - can post
Roscoe
Owlbear2
Orono

Houk will draw and throws a star knife at the owlbeat attacking blaughter

Thrown star knife+pbs+star toss: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 181d4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

If he can after that he will take a 5ft step to flank the beast with blaughter

Round 1:

Margût grabs a small glass tube filled with a yellowish substance, vigorously shaking it overhead before throwing it at one of the owlbears. The liquid seems to react to the motion, bubbling intensely and taking on the colour and consistency of fresh blood. As the glass shatters on the beast's flank, its contents instantly catch aflame, filling the air with the sickening stench of sulfur.

Bomb Attack (vs. Touch AC): 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 4 = 19
Bomb Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Attacking the northwestern corner of the closest owlbear, using Precise Bombs to exclude Blaughter from the blast.

(4/5 bombs left)

@Houk - just so you're aware, without a weapon in hand, you don't threaten the owlbear, and so don't provide a flanking bonus with Blaughter.

You could 5' step and melee attack instead, so you are still holding the weapon, but then you don't get your style bonus damage. Anyway, I'm moving you next to the owlbear on the map.

Houk's strange throwing knife cuts a bloody swathe across the creature, moments before Margut's strange bottled fire engulfs it in flames.

The beast howls in rage and incomprehension, thrashing out at those around it.

Rotation:

Henris
Blaughter
Minah
Owlbear1
Houk
Margut - can post
Roscoe
Owlbear2
Orono - can post

I have a cestus, which I can use as a weapon or throw starknives with afaik?

Jolly good then.

*edit* I'm trying to work out a spreadsheet to track the fourteen characters and five animals across two different parties, including the character with four different situational modifiers to saving throws, the one with eight possible attack combinations, and the one that is making me read the mounted combat rules. It's going well so far.

I'm amused that the Wizard has one of the simplest set ups in this. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to make my light crossbow hit like a greatsword next round.

Margut went so I think you wanted me labeled "can post." When my time comes.

Round 1

Looking very much a fish out of water Roscoe looks about trying to decide how to act. Seeing Houk slide into a flank with Blaughter he dashes forward with his now trademark desperate acrobatic scramble. Screaming as he moves, "Don't cut me don't cut me."

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Once opposite the cougar Roscoe strikes out at a fleshy part of the beast.

Short Sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Roscoe does an impressive acrobatic maneuver, effortlessly ducking underneath he owlbear's outreached claws. He rights himself, breathes, braces himself, and stabs heroically at empty air.

We'll have Orono delay - post when you are ready spiderlady

Now assailed on two sides, the second owlbear continues to flail at Sasha with its claws, while twisting its head right round to snap at Roscoe.

Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Claw: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Sasha takes two more ragged wounds, and drops with a wail. Roscoe ducks nimbly out of the way.

Sasha takes 17hp damage, is at -7 and DYING

Rotation:

Henris - can post
Blaughter - can post
Minah - can post
Owlbear1
Houk
Margut
Roscoe
Owlbear2
Orono

Didn't realize you were waiting on me, sorry.

Orono sighs and jogs over to a position somewhat near Houk, but where she can still get a good angle for bowfire when the opportunity presents itself. Holding her bow in her left hand, she traces a few mystic gestures with her right, and reaches out to touch Houk on the back of his neck. The quick swipe of her fingers feels a bit like a spider crawling down into the nape of his tunic, but the sudden surge of adrenaline is invigorating, to say the least.

Cure Light Wounds on Houk: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

When Sasha gets savaged subsequently, Orono winces - she knows all too well the pain of seeing a beloved companion brutally mauled.

Henris sees the cougar go down and winces. This fight was quickly shaping up to be far more dangerous than he'd though. Grabbing a scroll from his belt, he reads off of it and speaks words to get them some help, focused on the one attacking Sasha.

Using a scroll of summon monster i to summon a Celestial Eagle in flanking with Roscoe. Stats are in my profile.

Minah cries out in horror as the massive beast cuts down Sasha. With grit and determination, she leans down and tries to stem her companion's bleeding.

Heal to stabilize: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

In her shock at how quickly Sasha was taken out however, she fumbles the attempt. She then feebly steps forward, hoping to take some of the creature's attention off the cougar.

Staggering back from his mauling, Blaughter howls in rage and pain!

Gripping his spear in shaky hands he attempts to skewer the beast, hoping to end the fight so he and the other wounded can get patched up.

5' step straight back and attack.
Longspear Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 10 +2 for flanking
Str (+4), BAB (+1), Studied Target (+1)
Longspear Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
2handed Str (+6)

Some of you don't seem to be having much luck with the dice!

It seems that Blaughter has been away from battle for too long - his grip on his spear is not solid, and all he can do is poke at the creature, hopefully diverting its attention.

Meanwhile, Henris stands, intense concentration on his face as he channels magical energy and shapes the words of a summoning.

The first owlbear, having been frozen, stabbed and then set on fire, is not having a good day. It lashes out wildly at its tormentors.

Claw vs Houk: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The creature then steps away, heading for Blaughter

Claw vs Blaughter: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Bite vs Blaughter: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Houk takes 8 points of damage, Blaughter takes six. Blaughter is unconscious and bleeding on -3.

With his spear unsteady in his great hands, Blaughter falls under the beast's assault!

Rotation:

Henris
Blaughter
Minah
Owlbear1
Houk - can post
Margut - can post
Roscoe
Owlbear2
Orono

Round 2:

Seeing Blaughter go down, Margût hesitates for only a brief moment before rushing over. As he runs, he snatches yet another vial from his belt.

"Keep it busy!" he snarls at Houk.

The hobgoblin moves to cover the crumpled form of the priest, positioning himself between Blaughter and the owlbear. He kneels down, pouring the thick, greenish brown tincture down his companion's throat. The potion tastes of fermented animal droppings and pungent herbs—the smell alone is almost enough to enough to wake up the dead. "Up, you fat oaf! No time for napping..."

Potion of Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Margût will move into Blaughter's square. I'll take the AoO, rather than risk having the owlbear attack him when he gets up. That way, he'll be able to retreat and heal up, too, assuming the owlbear does use its AoO on Margût.

"Arrrr... " Screams Houk as he things a spider is crawling down his shirt.. then he relaxes a little too much when the healing magic starts to take affect as he is hen set upon by the Owlbear and struck again.

Houk draws a masterwork star knife and attacks the owlbear

Starknife: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 171d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

owlbear AoO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Blaughter comes to with Margut kneeling on his chest and pouring something extremely unpleasant into his mouth, while the owlbear rakes at his back. Houk slashes the creature again.

Rotation:

Henris
Blaughter
Minah
Owlbear1
Houk
Margut
Roscoe - can post
Owlbear2
Orono - can post

Round 2

Roscoe shuffles not as swiftly oposite Minah trying to get back into a flank position.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Shortsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Roscoe utters ill mannered words and eyes the bushes on the other side of the road.

Orono steps back from Houk and with another brief mystic pass she leans down and touches the fallen great cat.

Casting stabilize on Sasha.

Presented with two more tempting targets in the form of Minah and Roscoe, the owlbear ignores the fallen Sasha and divides its attacks between the two.

Claw Minah: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Claw Roscoe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Bite Roscoe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Finally the gods smile on the group as the beast's blind fury blunts its attacks.

Rotation:

Henris - can post
Blaughter - can post
Minah - can post
Owlbear1
Houk
Margut
Roscoe
Owlbear2
Orono

Manifesting into existence, the eagle appears in its Celestial glory. With a cry, it swoops in to attack the Owlbear, biting and clawing at its face.

The eagle is in the space next to Sasha. Smiting evil on Owlbear 2, which is who he's attacking.

Talon, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Talon, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Bite, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

With the eagle out and hopefully taking some of the one Owlbear's attention, Henris casts another spell, this one causing his crossbow to glow with magical energy.

Casting gravity bow on my crossbow

Round 3
"Whaarrhh, dear gods lad, I'd say that taste like my boot, but only if I'd stepped in ogre scat and washed it off in piss!" Blaughter says, rolling to his feet clear of the owlbear's painful reach. Once clear he starts on a prayer to Desna, imploring her to stitch his wounds so he might help his companions bring these things down.

Margut's heroics did not go unnoticed, and while chanting Blaughter gives the hobgoblin an appreciative nod.

5' step back and casting Cure Light Wounds, sacking Shield of Faith.
Curing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The eagle lances down into the owlbear's face, slashing at the beast. It doesn't cause much damage, but it certainly gets its attention.

Minah nods her thanks to the huntress as she stops Sasha's death. She then turns and snarls loudly as she swings her mighty club at the owlbear, now aided by the flanking halfling. She swings directly at its beaked face, furious beyond words that it has hurt Sasha so badly.

Shillelagh Club Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Shillelagh Club Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2) + 4 = 7

Now barely kept alive by its fury, the first owlbear continues to lash out at Houk, Margut and Blaughter.

Owlbear Claw - Houk: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Owlbear Claw - Margut: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Owlbear Bite - Blaughter: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Houk and Blaughter take six points of damage each

Henris
Blaughter
Minah
Owlbear1
Houk - can post
Margut - can post
Roscoe
Owlbear2
Orono

Houk takes a 5ft step back

"Gotta finish you off beast.. or I'm not going to make it."

Houk throws the master work Starknife at the beast

mw starknife+pbs: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 211d4 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Houk's precisely thrown knife slices open the beast's throat. It half-gurgles, half-roars in defiance, before collapsing suddenly in a heap.

Houk collapses in relief.. "Whew!

He eventually gets up and retrieves his Star Knives

We'll delay Margut.

Henris
Blaughter
Minah
Owlbear1
Houk
Margut
Roscoe - can post
Owlbear2
Orono - can post

Round 3:

Margût starts making his way towards the next target, drawing a curved short-sword as he skulks into position. He kicks Houk along the way, waving his saber at the remaining owlbear. "What're you, blind? Back on your feet, maggot!"

Double move.

I may have been premature in thinking the owlbears were defeated?

There is still 1 standing, although we're in much better shape now if we can beatstick this one.

Roscoe again desperately walks at what he thinks is a tender bit of owlbear.

Attack with flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 3

A hit! A palpable hit! Roscoe's blade scores a bloody line across the thigh of the owlbear, who hardly notices.

"Maybe I should play dead and our hardy fight type should hit the bear owl monster."

Orono takes a short step toward Houk and murmurs, "We need you back in the fray with this other one." With a quick move she grabs his hand as he passes by, her reaching fingers crossing it and the soft touch making the hair on his arm stand up (even under his armor).

Cure light wounds on Houk: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

I'll be generous and let Orono pull Houk back onto his feet again.

Watching its mate fall, the second owlbear lets out a long, mournful hoot/roar of rage and pain, and lashes out at the targets before it with renewed fury.

Claw at Roscoe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Claw at Minah: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Bite at Margut: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

While Minah and Roscoe duck the blows of the rampaging beast, even Margut's magical protection is no match for the power of its clicking beak, and he takes another wound. 5hp damage

Henris - can post
Blaughter - can post
Minah - can post
Owlbear1
Houk
Margut
Roscoe
Owlbear2
Orono

The Celestial Eagle cries out as it continues harrying the Owlbear.

Talon, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Critical Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Talon, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Bite, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Seeing that the beast was now engaged by several of his allies, Henris decides not to risk firing his crossbow into the melee and hitting them, instead contenting himself with curling his hand into a fist, and making a punching motion at the beast.

Telekinetic fist vs touch: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 4 = 12
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Eagle disappears at the end of the round

Minah moves after the beast, swinging her club as she goes.

Shillelagh Club Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Shillelagh Club Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 1) + 4 = 10