GM SpiderBeard's Wrath of the Righteous (Inactive)

Game Master Barvo Delancy

Sarkast checks his spear, making sure it is slotted into the thrower, then nods at Meriui and Thora. He keeps the light shielded until they tell him to show it.

Meriui shrugs, focuses his attention forward, and begins a cautious advance.

Did we stay overnight to refresh spells?

Yes you got a full night's rest.

Meriui creeps cautiously forwards, and his light flood into the room. He sees nothing for a moment before Rowena shouts "Look out!" and shrieking forms leap out of the darkness. Without a word of parlay or warning, the twisted mongrelmen attack.

I am going to take Rowena's turn as she indicated she may not be around.

Rowena stares through the mass of humanity in front of her, shrugs, and looses an arrow, trying to thread it through the group to hit the mongrel in front of her. However, the arrow goes wide and breaks on a rock.

Attack+point blank: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Damage+point blank: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Sarkast is up! And remember, you can move through each other, you just cannot end a turn on another PC's square.

Are any of the attackers flatfooted to me? If so, that will be my target.

As the light reveals the mongrelmen, Sarkast lets loose his readied spear.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Damage (whetstone bonus): 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9 Sneak attack if possible: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Gah! Great damage on a horrible attack. :(

No, they were well aware of your coming and prepared themselves.

The mongrelmen rush in Meriui, all three swinging right for him. One calls out something in their bizarre pigeon language while another just starts screaming some word over and over again. Either way they are trying to raise an alarm.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

With Meriui surprised, one of the mongrels manages to land a solid blow with a club.

Meriui takes five damage. Everyone is up! Jinxx gets a surprise round action AND round one action.

Jinxx charges and pounces on one of the mongrels. (the one right in front of him)

Claw 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Claw 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Claw 1 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Claw 2 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Bite Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

WOW 2 ones, and the dice gods still don't like me!!

Rowena lags behind and drops to her knees. She prays to her goddess Pharasma, looking toward the "Give me your favor...dear goddess...to wipe away the horrors in our midst!" She looks above while grasping her moldy holy symbol.

casting Divine Favor

To specify rules, Jinxx can't charge through PCs - they slow him down. But he got a surprise round action on top of his normal action anyways.

Furthermore, I made an error on initiative. Sarkast is up and everyone is waiting on the mongrels. Feel free to write in your actions if you need and I'll sort out their order.

Rowena calls out a prayer to her goddess and a silvery light bursts from her holy symbol to alight on her bow. Meanwhile, Jinxx pounces on a mongrelman, slashing and biting.

I need a map clarification - what are those vertical stripes directly behind the mongrelmen? Do they block or hinder movement? The actions below depend on being able to get behind them, so if that is not possible, Sarkast will delay his action to wait for things to change.

As the attackers line up, Sarkast watches their movements. Attempting to time his movements just right, he suddenly drops his pack and weaves through friend and foe.

Use both actions to move at half speed. Acrobatics checks to move through/past the enemy to the far door.

Acrobatics to move through Circle (vs CMD+5): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Acrobatics to move past Triangle (vs CMD+2): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Acrobatics to move past Square (vs CMD+4): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

If the first fails, Circle gets an AoO and Sarkast returns to his starting space. If the others fail, the appropriate one gets an AoO.

I think its irregularities in the floor but treat them as normal terrain.

Sarkast does a quick shoulder roll through the mongrels, surprising two of them but one swings out with a club.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The club hammers Sarkast to the ground, who manages to get to his feet. Still howling, the mongrels strike out again as their attackers move in.

Attack on Meriui: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Attack on Jinxx: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Attack on Sarkast: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Sarkast dodges to the side while Meriui takes a clubbing blow on his shield. However, Jinxx is not so luck as a club cracks into his ribs.

Sarkast takes 7 damage and Jinxx takes 5. Everyone except Jinxx can go as Jinxx took his round one action.

Ronan makes his way up just behind Jinxx and reaches out with a hand and there is a shimmer around Jinxx.

Mage armor on Jinxx gives him +4 to his AC for a total AC of 22

If Ronan can move to where I put his avatar, if not ignore the mage armor on Jinxx

I'm still not clear on whether or not Ronan has to make a spell craft check when casting a spell

I'm confused the attack on Jinxx was a 17, his armor class was 18 at the time, isn't that a miss?

I'm still not clear on whether or not Ronan has to make a spell craft check when casting a spell

Casting spells is automatic, no skill check is necessary. If you cast a spell while threatened by an enemy, you will provoke an attack of opportunity unless you choose to "cast defensively", which requires a concentration check. That is not the case right now, so you should be good.

Thanks for the explanation on spell casting, makes sense to me now

Unhappy with the situation, Meriui tries to reduce the threat against his companions as quickly as he can, but he manages to only show that he knows a good grip for his blade, not anything about how to use it effectively.

Primary Attack vs. Circle w/ Flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9 :facepalm:

Sarkast waits for Meriui to attack, then jabs his spear at the same mongrel.

Attack vs Circle, flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6
Damage, whetstone, sneak attack: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 + (2) = 11

Missing wildly, he then moves up to the wall to reduce his exposure and provide a distraction for Jinxx.

You and me both, Meriui... *sigh* Moved Sarkast down 1 square to provide flank for Jinxx on his next turn.

Rowena squints through the clot of people in front of her, searching for the mongrels. "OUT OF THE WAY! BOW COMIN' THROUGH!" She finds a small hole between her party members, and aims for the nearest Mongrel.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Thora, as nimbly as she can, stumps around behind the triangle mongrel and hacks at it, heedless of attacks of opportunity.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Cleave vs circle: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Using cleave! -2 to AC until next round!

Ayesh, not seeing a way to get into the battle due to the bottleneck, held herself ready to charge in as soon as an opening presented itself. She pulled her scimitar in expectation, the black blade giving her a confidence she wasn't sure she should feel.

Oops, you're right. Jinxx is unharmed. Also Ayesha, the triangle and circle mongrelmen have used their attacks of opportunity and you can move through other PCs. Since you readied an action to advance and attack when there's an opening I'll take the liberty of moving you.

As Thora pushes through the group and starts circling around one of the mongrelmen, she draws an attack of opportunity but the club misses badly.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The mongrel's wild miss opens himself up to retaliation, and Thora swings down hard, her axe splitting the mongrelman's skull like a watermelon.

Ayesha then rushes in to stand over the body and the growing pool of gore, but her slash is blocked.

Anevia pushes up behind Rowena, and the two fire arrows, both of which miss.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

The mongrelmen look around to see themselves surrounded and their hooting and hollering becomes a little more desperate.

Attack on Thora: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Attack on Meriui: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Thora takes a hard whack to the head with a club while Meriui barely blocks another attack.

Everyone is up! Thora takes five damage.

As the mongrel in front of Jinxx crumbles to the ground he turns with a low growl he attacks. (circle)

Claw 1 Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Claw 2 Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Bite Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Claw 1 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Claw 2 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Bite Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Sarkast times his strike with Jinxx to take advantage of the distraction.

Attack vs Circle, flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 = 23
Damage, whetstone, sneak attack: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + (5) = 12

Jinxx manages to leap right upon the mongrel and pin him down. Sarkast then slams down his shortspear expertly, and Jinxx rips open the throat of the mongrel. It is not dead, but will be very soon. The remaining mongrel's cries get louder as it looks around wildly, knowing that there's nowhere to go.

The young human attempts to silence the guard, knowing that it is already far too late, but hoping to simplify the battle before the reinforcements arrive. Somehow, he manages to miss yet again.

Primary Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Rowena squints toward the front of the cavern, trying to get in on the action. She spies the bloodied Jinxx and the mongrel.

"Is it dead...?"

One more mongrel is alive and fighting, but Rowena doesn't have line of sight on it.

Ayesha stepped over the dead body and spun in place, the scimitar flowing through the air like another shawl. Concentrating, she turned the dance to something more, investing a small bit of her magic into the black blade. Low, high, then low again, the blade scythed through the air, connecting with the barest whisper of its sharp edge.

Ayesha dances in, her scimitar opening up a wound on the mongrel as it spins around trying to defend from all sides.

Thora and Rowena are up!

Thora moves up to the last one and swings!

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Rowena looses another arrow.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Rowena steps in as Thora sweeps the head off of the remaining mongrel. It collapses to the ground, the three of them dead or dying. The horrible howling of the last mongrel ceases and for a moment there is silence. Anevia lowers her bow and starts limping forward as Aravashnial feels his way along a wall. Horgus looks angry and frightened by the place.

End of Combat

However, as you begin to rest you hear more angry babbling in the strange pidgin language of the mongrelmen from the door to your east. They are approaching rapidly - you have a round to prepare yourselves.

"This is fascinating! The internal politics of the - and I don't care what these ones think - the pitlings has closely mirrored the sides of the battle up above. Two groups, one supporting the crusaders, one supporting the demons."

Aravashnial has made his way up, leaning heavily on the wall.

"By the way, I think more are coming."

Jinxx moves near to the door and waits

Ronan readies his crossbow

Sarkast sheaths his spear and slots a sharp one into his thrower, ready to throw if the creatures are hostile. He whispers, "Let's be sure of friend or foe before attacking..."

"Yeah, they sound delighted that we're here," mutters Horgus.

The young Paladin frowns as he looks around at the space the group has captured, before pointing at the one door with his sword. "If we wait, they will use their knowledge and fortifications to kill us. Jinxx? Can you remove the door so that we have a better chance?"

Ronan looks over at Meriui and says "If the door is not locked I can open it from here so no one needs to be right at the door when it opens." He gets ready and when he is given the word Ronan will open the door with his spell.

Rowena readies her bow and awaits the mongrels.

The human shrugs. "I would have it locked, but you can try."

I'll take that as a go, and that Rowena has readied to attack when the door opens.

Ronan flings the door open, and the light of the group reveals three mongrelmen preparing to charge the door themselves! They see the bodies of their fallen comrades and howl with rage, ready to attack.

The room you look into is full of the lingering smells of cooked meat and rank bodies. Ten bedrolls, each piled with coarse blankets and animal furs, surround a fire pit filled with glowing coals. Tanned hides hang stretched onto the walls, each crudely painted with scenes of deformed humanoids hunting giant vermin in caves.

The party has the element of surprise! Everyone may take one standard action and the mongrels are flat footed. Rowena goes first chronologically, but everyone can go.

"No time like the present!" called Ayesha as she bounded in through the door, scimitar swirling around her.

Edit: missed the "one standard action" part. Consider the attacks and such my actions for next round.

Hearing the mongrelmen about to charge, Sarkast steps back to get a clear shot through the door and throws his spear.

5' step to stand over the corpse of the mongrelman ("Circle") behind Thora, then standard to throw at either Circle or Square, whichever he has the better shot at. If any cover penalties apply due to throwing through the door, adjust my attack roll appropriately.

Attack vs Flat Footed AC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Well, that's unlikely to hit anything ...

Meriui scoots into the room, shield up and scimitar ready. As he moves, however . . . "We don't have to fight. There's no need for you to die."

Rowena considers Meriui's words. She whispers in a harsh voice"These people don't exactly seem friendly! Remember the last mongrelmen? Let's go!" She sneaks near open door and raises her bow.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

'Jinxx get in there, they might back down if they see what they are up against.'

Jinxx moves into the room

Thora scampers through the door, around Jinxx, and comes to a stop beside Meriui.

"We don't have to fight?" she asks Meriui, sounding as though she understands his words but never realised this might be an option. "Do you think they'll go for that?"

Going to give each bad guy his own initiative to avoid the bottleneck situations we've been facing with the large group.

The mongrels almost collapse as the group rushes in on them, surrounding them. One opens his mouth to reply to Meriui's demand for parley, and an arrow snakes in from the west, hitting him square in the shoulder!

"Our faith is strong! You will never defeat us!" it howls in the strangely accented common, the arrow sticking out like a poorly-chosen badge of honour. Anevia, Aravashnial, and Horgus rush forward a bit.

Meriui, Rowena, Ayesha, Thora, and Anevia can all go!