KC's Age of Worms

Game Master Kobold Catgirl

Tanith can't get that.

Oblivious of any potential danger, Tanith follows the group.

Yeah, that's outside Eben's possible Perception range as well.
Are there spikes leading up to this end of the upper tunnel as well?

Eben follows along, bow at the ready, freshening up his cantrip suite as he goes.

recasting prestidigitation and haunted fey aspect.

No spikes.

When the group comes to a stop, Astraden peers ahead past the lights and sort of points. "Farrukh, check over there?"

Perception (aid): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 Should be enough with distance penalties.

Oh, see, when deeply tired I forget about the ways I can be useful even when I don't have a shot myself...

Eben helpfully sends his cluster of lights flying above where Astraden is pointing to brighten things up for Farrukh.

Perception Aid Another: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Cuetzpalli follows with bow ready as well, surveying the strange cave. "Looks like the only way from here is up. We could clamber up that rubble then throw a rope up to the bridge."

Alright, place yourselves on the Vague General Map.

Done.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

"Looks clear to me."

Done as well.

Zalamandra quietly follows behind, crossbow readied.

Put myself behind Tanith.

Could have sworn I posted a 'done' when I moved Eben a few hours ago, but apparently I was hallucinating. Well, done.

Zalamandra: I think "behind" is inside the (lower) tunnel, for what it's worth. If there's something hiding among the rubble you are going to kind of be on the front line, though if the enemy is further up we're not going to be able to attack it without stepping out, I suppose.

Ah, yeah, and I'm "done" as well.

I misunderstood the map too. I moved Tanith back and took the liberty of moving Zalam as well.

Thanks.

Okay, what do you do?

Also, try to keep "retcon advice" in-character.

We're going to try to climb up the rubble like Cuetzpalli suggested.

Any particular order?

1d20+10

"Looks clear to me."

Also, not that it matters, Farrukh, but you got a +4 from Eben and Astraden's aiding.

Farrukh well go first to get a rope going for the less physically able.

Led by Farrukh, the group marches towards the pile of rubble.

Suddenly, two hideous creatures leap out. The hunched-over wretches have long, pliable arms like tentacles capped with five wide, spiny claws. They are clearly emaciated.

One of the creatures hisses and claws at Farrukh, while the other moves with terrifying speed to strike Astraden.

Tentacle (Astraden): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (6) = 13
Grab!: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Constrict: 1d4 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (5) = 11
Tentacle (Farrukh): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Astraden takes 24 damage and is Grappled and Strangled. While Strangled, Astraden cannot speak of cast spells with verbal components.

End Surprise Round. Inits: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 121d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Round 1: You are up!

Oh, not that it makes a difference, but they should be getting a +1 to-hit from elevation. Also, remember, going through the rubble counts as four squares of movement.

Are the tentacles on these things attackable as a separate target?

Not specifically in the rules, but I'll allow it. The tentacles are considered Easy, and don't forget the -2 if you aren't adjacent.

Also, is the non-rubble area difficult terrain?

Yes.

I'm going to wait for Cuetzpalli to act. Tanith wants the space he's in so he can attack the feely tentacle.

If you don't mind my asking, how's the damage they're dealing work? Is some of that sneak attack damage?

Just something real quick regarding called shots: would I be able to make called shots with magic missile?

Zalamandra: No, for the same reason you can't make called shots with true strike.

Tanith: The creature does seem to have taken advantage of Astraden's surprise.

Alright then.

Round 1: Actions
Standard Action: Blast the thing strangling Astraden with magic missile!

The sight of small, emaciated freaks springing out to attack catches Zalamandra by surprise.

When one of them starts choking Astraden, she immediately extends her right hand and, with a quick incantation, shoots two magic bolts directly into the beast's centre mass.

Magic Missile Damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7

Shield Rounds Remaining: 20/40

EDIT: Revised how many rounds of shield I have left. I was using Astraden's bless as a benchmark.

The creature lets out an angry hiss as the bolts hit it in its boneless chest.

Also, try to keep "retcon advice" in-character.

I didn't see it as advice - they did not initially understand the map, so I was relaying what I asked you about in person (e.g. there wasn't really a concept of a "front" for Zalamandra to be behind).

Astraden gags, struggling silently. She wraps her hand around the tentacle but cannot seem to focus.

Touch of chaos (casting defensively plus action point): 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 4 + (2) = 15 DC 17

Copycat (casting defensively): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 DC 17

She keeps ahold of her crossbow, though.

Round 1: Cast touch of chaos defensively (standard action) and cast copycat defensively (move action). Read magic lasts 285 rounds, comprehend languages lasts 360 rounds, bless lasts 5 rounds, and bull's strength lasts 16 rounds.

Kn. Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

And we can use Called Shots? Sweet.

"Chokers! Watch out they...well they like to strangle people." he calls out, a little late.

Farrukh steps forward and slashes at the tentacle of the one choking Astraden.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
1d6 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

We are for this combat. I haven't had a chance to look into the overall rule, but it makes sense for chokers' arms to be targetable. :P

One problem for Farrukh, though:

A called shot is a single attack made as a full-round action...

So, he can't both step forward and make the Called Shot. I'll assume Farrukh just launches a normal attack.

The choker growls something in a horrid lilting tongue as Farrukh cuts into its soft flesh.

"Ckkk mmph hhhrph mfffd!" Astraden makes a series of really enlightening hand gestures.

Somehow I moved away from the wall, so I'll move back. Also yay, Spiny teleported down!

I know the rubble is four squares, what about cave floor?

Cuetzpalli steps back to the wall and fires his bow at thing choking Astraden.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"Spiny, get that thing off Astraden!"

Spiny moves over to the creature and bites it.

Bite: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 - 1 = 101d6 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 = 12

Or rather, tries to bite it, but slips on a pebble and nearly falls over.

Going to work in a couple minutes. Won't be able to post for about 8 or 9 hours. I keep shooting and Spiny keeps biting.

Somehow I moved away from the wall

You guys were moving on.

Also yay, Spiny teleported down!

At this point, I figure you guys have got this animal transportation system down to a science. :P

I know the rubble is four squares, what about cave floor?

Difficult terrain., so Spiny actually has to double-move to reach there. Don't worry, I won't make you save that role. :P

Cuetzpalli shoots the creature square in where its heart should be, but it refuses to release its prey.

Eben and Tanith are up!

Tanith edges closer to the melee and rears back with his poleaxe. ”I'll get this one!” he roars.

Hacking (Heroism): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 6 = 20

You take an extra -2 for attacking from reach, remember.

The choker's sinewy arm swings away, narrowly avoiding Tanith's bardiche.

I was including that.

And the -2 penalty for the Called Shot? You showed one and not the other, so I guess that threw me.

Also, two things I didn't notice before: You're fifteen feet away (and can't reach) and the choker has Soft Cover. Sorry, I should have spotted that sooner.

Bah! I thought I could just attack the tentacle wrapped around Astraden. Can I just step over and attack the other one instead?

Sure, you can reach that—sorry, I misunderstood. You still miss, though.

That'd be AC 20. Cover from the rubble?

No, you're still attacking the tentacle. The tentacle has cover—as the map makes fairly clear, so I'm not gonna give a retcon this time.

I think you misunderstood me. Since I couldn't reach the tentacle I asked if I could attack the other choker (who appears to be 10 feet away).

Indeed, I did misunderstand you—and I corrected it by saying you could, indeed, reach the tentacle. I'm sorry, my post was a bit vague.

Ah. I could reach the tentacle - I just missed.

No retcon necessary then. I'll stick with the original plan.

Yeah, sorry about the confusion. I was editing the post pretty quickly, and forgot to clarify the "Yeah, you can reach that" statement.