Here's my understanding of checks for attacking while mounted:
Guide with Knees Ride check, DC 5, would be needed for charging or moving without free hands.
Attack Handle Animal check, DC 20, for Shadow to get his attacks.
Fight with Combat trained mount Ride check, DC 10, so that I can attack with Shadow's attacks.
Alternatively, I could not direct Shadow to attack, and just attack myself, without the second two checks. With my armor check penalties, I have +6 ride, and -7ACP, so a net -1 on ride checks.
I'll put everything in a spoiler tag, and preview, so if I fail on stuff, i won't bother with the other checks.
Alrighty . . . to be clear, the PCs' positions are as follows:
Haldaval: Outside and out of sight behind one of the towers, mounted on Shadow.
Harsk: Underneath some furs in the storage pen.
Malaswyn: Lying prone, out of sight, on the catwalk near the fort's entrance.
Ray: Behind the stables.
Tityanna: Standing in front of the cart, near the tables, next to Oleg.
The Levetons: Oleg next to Tityanna, Svetlana hiding in the bedroom.
Sound about right?
Question: if you want to close the gate-doors after springing the trap, do you want Ray and Haldaval to do it?
I think my impression was that with Haldaval basically standing in or at the gates entrance in the fort, he effectively blocks exit unless they really want to let him put a sword into their sides as they try to ride past.
If closing the gates is a priority then I could be not in the furs but rather hiding off to the side and attempt to do that.
I can block it initially, of course, but in the fighting, if they attempt to run, we might have to pursue. That's fine, we don't have to try to close the gates.
Question: if you want to close the gate-doors after springing the trap, do you want Ray and Haldaval to do it?
No worries, we'll leave the gate open.
Question: if you want to close the gate-doors after springing the trap, do you want Ray and Haldaval to do it?
That would be a little odd. "Stop, Yield Bandit Scum!" -scurries to doors to close- ?
I think I should be with Ray if we want to close the doors.
We're using Hero Points, aren't we? So we all have one, correct?
Haldaval.
While I understand your character's perspective I think it is important that we do not create/roleplay characters in a way that takes away other players' agency.
If Tityanna has to sneak around to stop another PC telling her where she can and cannot stand then Halplm is in danger of telling Hu5tru what to do.
In this magical world Tityanna has proved that she can control the powers of nature. Lets not treat her like a vulnerable and delicate flower unless she invites that kind of behaviour.
We're using Hero Points, aren't we? So we all have one, correct?
Yes. :)
I would not want to tell anyone what to do, of course. Haldaval would simply not agree with the plan of Tityanna being in that position. If we don't want to RP me tying her up to keep her out of trouble ;), then the sneakiness is an alternative.
it's not about her being a "delicate flower," it's about Haldaval needing to be the front line of defense.
YEah, you can RP being angry with me later, and I'll listen. Right now - To COMBAT and Glory! and stuff. :P
Okay, then . . . let the encounter commence! I went ahead and moved the cart between the storage pen and the stable, like you originally asked to do; you'll see that you've a bit more room to maneuver, when I post the next map (forthcoming). Moving on . . . :)
Soon, it'll be initiative time, so I thought I'd let you know how I'd like to run combat.
*I'll roll initiative for everyone, and post the results.
*I'll post a map of current character placement. Let me know if I'm wrong, please!
*You all state what you'd like to do that round. You don't have to post in order. If you wish to attack (or do anything that requires a roll), please post the roll along with damage, critical threats, and any other dice-rolling things to keep things smooth.
*After I've got everybody's intentions for that round, I'll go ahead and describe what happens, going down the initiative sequence.
*Repeat for following rounds.
Good? Great! Let's go! (I'm not going to start "combat initiative" until either you attack them or they see you as a threat). Questions?
EDIT: If anyone wishes to act via surprise, I'll consider it a surprise round for you, until I determine initiative.
I prefer you roll initiative, as it saves time from everyone checking in. In my CC game everyone posts actions, and I have to sort them out later. In my KM group, I have everyone post according to initiative because we have a Wizard who prepares sleep and can negate encounters pretty easily.
The per initiative way makes combat a bit slower, but it is easier for the GM to follow and respond quickly. Flooding by players is quicker, obviously.
I believe that that is up to your preference, how much time you are willing to devote to sitting reading through our actions and sorting them out, and then posting at the end.
That's some good advice! I guess I'll figure out what works best for me, eventually! ;)
BTW, Tityanna's CMD is listed as 10 on her profile; I didn't think to double-check it. It is indeed 11 (due to Dex). Happs doesn't succeed! Sorry! :)
Edited my profile to correct my previous oversight.
I knew I was going to fail that check... sigh, well, not a great start to the riding career. If I fail again, I'm gonna have to use a hero point I think :)
ETA... seriously... a 3 and a 1... sigh
I knew I was going to fail that check... sigh, well, not a great start to the riding career. If I fail again, I'm gonna have to use a hero point I think :)
ETA... seriously... a 3 and a 1... sigh
That's just what level one is like - you never get through it without a few humiliations.
I'll heal someone for 1 point later...-
I'll heal someone for 1 point later...-
*Raises Hand* ME OOooo Me!
Looking again, the DC for getting Shadow to attack with Handle Animal is only 10
I'm uncertain how to proceed until Initiative has been called for. Do I have an action I could be doing right now?
I'm uncertain how to proceed until Initiative has been called for. Do I have an action I could be doing right now?
During the surprise round, you may take a standard or move action (or free or swift action, of course). So you could, for example, cast a spell (or something) before round 1 starts. Initiative has been posted, now.
EDIT: If you do cast a spell (or SLA), you won't provoke AoOs during the surprise round unless the target has Combat Reflexes.
Looking again, the DC for getting Shadow to attack with Handle Animal is only 10
Also, if you fail your "guiding with knees" Ride check, it takes no action, but you only have the use of one hand. (Shadow is combat-trained, right?)
Yeah, he is. Would that mean I have to drop something, or could I take no action with hands?
Yeah, he is. Would that mean I have to drop something, or could I take no action with hands?
You don't have to drop anything; it just means that you couldn't attack with a 2-handed weapon, for example.
However, you can wield a lance 1-handed while mounted (Core Rulebook, pg. 147). Let's just keep things flowing for now, though, eh? ;)
P.S.: You did hit Happs in round 1. I'll describe exactly what happens after everybody's posted.
oh, I'm all for flowing, this is my first mounted character, so I'll figure it out soon enough :).
I have a shield in one hand and the lance in my other, but theoretically I could lose the ac from the shield to use that hand, or something... let me know how you want it to work. At lvl 3 it won't matter as much, but I imagine we'll have plenty of combat before then :)
oh, I'm all for flowing, this is my first mounted character, so I'll figure it out soon enough :).
I have a shield in one hand and the lance in my other, but theoretically I could lose the ac from the shield to use that hand, or something... let me know how you want it to work. At lvl 3 it won't matter as much, but I imagine we'll have plenty of combat before then :)
In the case of a failed "guide-with-knees" check, pick either your shield or your weapon to be useless for that round (for example).
Got it
Oh shoot. I just recognized that Tityanna's Shield would have been cast defensively.
Crunch for that:
It's all good, Tityanna! Remember, though: you would've been casting that in the surprise round, thus (generally) negating the need for a concentration check.
But it's a mighty fine roll! :)
yeah, i assume all my rolls will be poo from now on. :P
yeah, i assume all my rolls will be poo from now on. :P
Your "cleric dice" remind me of a player in my tabletop game. She rolls so poorly that she (jokingly) thinks she should be allowed to roll 2 dice every time, just to break even.
Dice conventions are always a fun topic for a group.
My last RL group, all dice were to be rolled on the character sheet. If your dice rolled off the sheet, even if it was a good roll, it did not count. The only one who disregarded this rule was the fighter, who flung his dice onto the battle map, where everyone could read, most of the times also displacing tokens and such. But, it fit his character.
I run a Ulfen Sorc that I'm going to be taking Druid/MT eventually on these boards as well... Everything makes its save against her. Everything. She contributed absolutely nothing to a 7 round combat, save assisting the party cleric to intimidate a single goblin. It... was sad.
Heh, I was running a game a while ago that had a bard that liked to be as reckless as possible... he had an uncanny ability to roll ones... half his rolls were ones, we checked one night... until they hit a boss that should have wiped them all out, but he almost single handedly beat it... it was amusing.
In case anybody missed it, I retroactively rolled initiative for the horses and Oleg, as well. It may be helpful to know when they respond to the current events! :)
At any rate, we're just waiting on Ray's action to conclude round 1. I'm curious as to what our farmer-boy is going to pull out of his proverbial hat. ;)
Methinks the bandits be toast, however. We shall see . . . !
It's okay. Weekends tend to slow down here on the boards. Post when you can! :)
If any of these guys radiate evil we have big trouble...
Tityanna radiates evil, it's infectious :P
*laughs*
whatcha gonna do about it?
Tityanna radiates evil, it's infectious :P
*laughs*
whatcha gonna do about it?
Run screaming ;)
That's very un-dwarf/manly like. *laughs*
Oh, I got it topped hardcore. In the solo campaign my hubby ran for me - Dwarf Alchemist worshiping Calistria had an obsession with Elven women, cooking, baking, and sewing. And when I say sewing, I mean he had Craft Wonderous Items and made magical dresses that provided bonuses to Perform (Dance) checks.
Yeaaah.
Just your standard red blooded dwarven male that enjoyed sleeping with human girls with no commitment, and lacing their curatives with laxatives when he was "upset." :P
Sorry, I meant that question to be in this thread.
Well, radiating evil, is a bit different than detecting evil. They should have no aura because they are weak, but the minimal detection is just the presence or not. I assume that if they are of evil alignment, then detect evil will tell me, even though it will not actually have an aura.
But yes, charging is full round, so if I wanted to detect evil in the same round, I'd have to just move and attack.
That brings up a question I had earlier, though, I suppose I can't actually charge in a surprise round?
I do need to know these things, though, so I can use m smite evil skill :D
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Sorry, I meant that question to be in this thread.
Well, radiating evil, is a bit different than detecting evil. They should have no aura because they are weak, but the minimal detection is just the presence or not. I assume that if they are of evil alignment, then detect evil will tell me, even though it will not actually have an aura.
But yes, charging is full round, so if I wanted to detect evil in the same round, I'd have to just move and attack.
That brings up a question I had earlier, though, I suppose I can't actually charge in a surprise round?
I do need to know these things, though, so I can use m smite evil skill :D
Charge is the one full-round-action that you can use in the surprise round.
Ah, cool, good to know :)
Hey, Tityanna: In my haste to post the Round 1 Summary, I neglected to describe your action! It's being posted, right after this.
Wow I am gonna bite it in the first combat of the AP at this rate.
Wow I am gonna bite it in the first combat of the AP at this rate.
That bandit got really lucky. ;)