Once More into the Breach - GMF's Wrath of the Righteous (Inactive)

Game Master Fanguar

Opening the door, you see that several wooden walls have been constructed in this room forming a crude maze of sorts. No enemies are readily apparent.

"Yeah....no. Not going in there," Ruarc says, shutting the door again. "Lets go around another way instead of walking into their trap."

If the group concurs on Ruarc's sentiment, Joao was already thinking about ways to jam the lock to prevent them from being followed. "I.. may be able to fix the lock and prevent the door from opening", he offered with one eye on the door. It should not be too hard at all.

Considering some things, he also offered another option. "If anyone has oil, we could just set the wood on fire. The cavern will not burn." Stealth to convey the ideas quietly: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Profession: Soldier 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Pytros examines the makeshift maze with a critical eye. With his time leading squads in defense and assaults, he has learned amply regarding barricades and impromptu defenses. He nods at Joao's idea and whispers, "Depriving our enemy of its defense and forcing them to respond. Good. Can you jam the door quickly enough so that we can set it aflame and seal it before they can get through, if they were to come this way?"

There was a nod from Joao, along with a confident smile. "A lock 'Opened' can easily be changed to 'Jammed and Broken'." His hands were already moving towards his tools.
D.Device: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15(To Disable)

Smart.. Maeve whispers approvingly. And effective, we can clear the rest of the area and then backtrack.

Jamming the door is not a problem. Burning the wooden maze is definitely a possibility, but unless you have a lot of oil, it might be a bit of a slow process.

Can we go around?

"I don't believe we have any oil - unless one of our companions back there brought some. I believe that Maeve has alchemist's fire." He reaches out expectantly to the scarred woman, then recalls her last outburst to him. "Might I have it, please?"

@Aglamore: Nope. It's the way to the surface. It's actually more for preventing things from getting than for people getting out.

Biting back a remark about the others lack of planning ahead, Maeve sullenly nods before digging into her backpack and retrieving one of the vials of noxious alchemical liquid before handing it to Pytros.

I suggest we ignore that maze for now and go through the door where I put Ruarc's icon. That or the southernmost door where Joao is. Can I get a second?

Second.

Third.

"Alright, Ruarc. We'll do this your way," says Aglamore.

A muted roar echoes down the walls of this hallway. Near the eastern end, the worked stone give way to natural cave walls, just before the hall ends at an open shaft. Hanging over the edge of the shaft is a knotted rope—the other end tied to an iron spike driven into the ground. The sound of rushing water can be heard from the mouth of the shaft.

Ruarc moves forward with his shield held defensively, carefully scanning the ceiling and walls for traps up to the end of the hallway. After giving the room a thorough visual examination he will go to look down the hole as well.

Move to where I am now and then taking 20 on perception to look for hidden foes/traps in the room, before entering to look down the hole. Taking 20 gives me a 26.

Ruarc finds no traps. Looking down the hole, he sees that the rope ends 20 feet or so down in a small room with a stream running through it.

Pytros follows Ruarc and Aglamore as they backtrack, but he keeps an eye on the door leading to the barricades. If the enemy set them up, they may be waiting to entrap them - or they may press the advantage and flank the group from behind if they find an opportunity.

"I suggest we try the doors to the south first," says Aglamore.

"Indeed, this appears to lead somewhere else. We can always return here once we've exhausted other options."

Seconded.

Joao simply waited for them to come to a conclusion, wondering how much more of this place that they had yet to explore.. While he was thinking ahead, he was also wondering where this cave system would exit to, since they had to be a decent ways from Kenabres. Once more, he thought of his gear, that probably was not still in the room that he had rented for the day. Of course, that assumed that the inn was still even there. Truly, he wondered what state the city was in now.

If someone had found his pack, he hoped that they put it to good use. There was nothing worse than an unused tool.

The southern door is unlocked and Ruarc opens it, shield held high.

Attack vs Ruarc FF: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Combat Round 1
20+ Enemies
20- Maeve
14 Aglamore
12 Joao
7 Ruarc
6 Pytros

Round 1 Init 20

A terrifying mongrelman that more spider than anything else, fires her longbow again:
Attack vs Ruarc FF: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Confirm?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 Assuming you're using your shield
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

And a Pair of mongrelmen step up to attack:
Attack 1 vs Ruarc FF: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Attack 2 vs Ruarc FF: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

I hate how even though you know you're about to get attacked, you're still flat footed. Also, I definitely would not have stepped into the room like that. That just lets me get flanked for no reason. I would have stayed in the doorway. So I'm going to move myself back.

Round 1

HP:2/17

AC:25 (fighting defensively)

Justice on mongrelman: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 - 4 = 12 Miss

_________________________________

Ruarc grunts as two arrows puncture him, and a club bashes his knee. "Ragathiel's wings!" he curses, swinging Justice at one of his assailants. The mongrelman blocks the blow with his club at the last instant. Ruarc keeps holding his shield up in a defensive position. "Same plan as before people, we can do this."

Round 1, Initiative 6
hp 21/21; AC 15/11T/14FF; +5F/+2R/+3W

MA: Move 10'
SA: Trip vs. Mongrelman #1 (CMD 15) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Pytros sidesteps behind Aglamore, making sure not to block the priest's line of sight to their wounded compatriot. Ruarc's injuries appear nearly lethal, but Pytros can at least lessen the threat against him for now. He nearly hits the cavern wall with his maneuvering, but Pytros finds a clear sight to the open door. As Ruarc steps backwards, defending himself from the pair, Pytros snakes the whip forward. It catches the lumbering hunchback by the wrist as he grasps for Ruarc, giving Pytros the opportunity to wrap the whip around his own wrist and pull hard. It yanks him forwards, forcing the misshapen creature to slam into the hard ground.

I was going to wait until after a few of the others went, since I am at the lowest Iniatitive... But...

With the positioning that everyone was likely to take, this fight was something that Joao was not going to be able to participate in. So instead he moved to keep watch on the doorway to the rooms that they had not explored.

Aglamore fights over Ruarc's shoulder. "See if you can push them past the chokepoint," he urges.

Longspear: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 4 = 91d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Maeve's posting is going to be spotty, so I'm just going to put her into NPC territory for the moment. You guys should be fine as a foursome until she's back in action

Combat Round 2
20+ Enemies
20- Maeve
14 Aglamore
12 Joao
7 Ruarc
6 Pytros

"Fall back you idiots" The bowman barks an order and the two other mongrels move back, the prone one crawling (AoO it up) The archer fires again at Ruarc and then moves down a ladder and out of sight.

Attack vs Ruarc: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Map updated. Everyone is up.

Ruarc drops, bleeding badly.

Stabilization check: 1d20 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 - 1 = 7

HP:-2/17

Brother Aglamore tries to spear the crawling mongrelman.

"Rise, my friend, and sleep not. For the night is dark and we bring the light of the gods out of the depths. We have need of your strong arm." So saying, the priest stoops and touches Ruarc, filling him with the faithful radiance of Iomedae.

AoO, then spontaneously convert shield of faith to cure light wounds and cast at Ruarc.

Longspear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 141d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

CLW on Ruarc: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Hey, WesternWolf, if you could keep Ruarc's HP current in the class/level line, I'd know when he needs healing. I had no idea he was down to 1 HP before that last shot.

I used to, but was specifically told by the DM to track it in my combat posts because you can't go back and change them later and I believe he considers it an anti-cheating method. I'll start updating both if I remember.

Round 2, Initiative 6
hp 21/21; AC 16/12T/15FF; +5F/+2R/+3W

MA: Move 20'
SA: Trip (CE) vs. Mongrel #2 (CMD 15) 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"Ruarc, stay behind me!" Pytros steps over Ruarc as Aglamore aids him. He stands in front of the fallen comrade, within a few feet of the crawling mongrelman. He keeps his eye out for an opening to strike at him and cracks his whip at the second one. It wraps for a moment around his leg, but doesn't tighten in time for Pytros to pull it back and bring the creature to the ground. He prepares himself for their strikes as best he can, but at least they should attend to him rather than the wounded Ruarc.

It has nothing to do with 'cheating'. I don't get to win this game, so I don't really care about that. The class line is a terrible way of keeping track of things. Posting a combat stat line at the start of every combat post is just plain better and it gives you a consistent place to indicate buffs, debuffs, temporary HP, non-lethal damage and so forth. And just to clarify, what I asked for is something similar to what Pytros has kindly posted every time he has acted in combat. So thank you Pytros.

Pytros shouts back to Joao, "Let Aglamore cover the flank! Let's move!"

R2 Init6
AC17/13/14 HP8/13

Pytros' call pulled his attention off of the doorway and brought him at a sprint tinto the room where he had purchased space for them. He had moved at a run, passing Ruarc, who looked worse for the wear, and stopped behind Pytros, taking in the situation as he looked around the room. 'Two hostile individuals, and negotiation is out.'

One hand moved to the mace.

Double Move to get into the room

Aglamore's spear stabs into the crawling mongrelman, but fails to put him down.

Combat Round 2
20+ Enemies
14 Aglamore
12 Joao
7 Ruarc
6 Pytros

His leader now out of sight, the standing mongrelman decides to not leave his companion to his fate and steps back to attack Pytros (5' step)

Attack vs Pytros: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The prone mongrelman stands up (induces AoOs) and attacks Pytros as well,

Attack vs Pytros: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Everyone is up.

HP:-2:17

Stabilization check: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 - 2 = 19 Success

HP:-2/17
AC:16 (Flat footed, prone)

Ruarc's wounds stop gushing blood, and slowly ooze instead.

Round 3, Initiative 6
hp 13/21; AC 15/11T/14FF; +5F/+2R/+3W

Attack of Opportunity - Unarmed vs. Prone Mongrelman (AC 13) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
> Damage 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
>> Mongrelman #1 (3/15 hp)

Pytros delivers a quick kick with the heel of his right foot at the mongrelman trying to get up in front of him. The impact knocks loose several teeth from his lopsided mouth, but it isn't enough to knock the hardy beastman unconscious. He blocks the incoming club from the other one with his left hand, taking the jarring impact as best he can. He grimaces in pain but shuts if off to analyze the situation as quickly as he can.

'We face three enemies. Two are slow-witted but strong, while the other is more cunning and equipped with a ranged weapon. Ruarc's wounds are healing but he remains vulnerable to attack. Neither Joao nor I can fight both at once. We must split our enemies.'

MA: 5' step
SA: Trip vs. Mongrelman #2 (CMD 15) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Pytros takes a careful step backwards and to his right, weaving around one of the roughly carved chairs and placing the simple table between himself and the less-injured mongrelman. With his back to the cavern wall, the only way for the mongrelmen to surround and flank him would be to place one of them at extreme risk. Just to make sure, he leans over the other side of the table and snakes his whip around the creature's clubfoot. He yanks backwards, taking him down quickly so that only his partner remains standing. Hopefully Joao and Ruarc will be able to take out the injured one, leaving just the other - and the hidden spider-creature - to fight.

Just a note: Ruarc is no longer at negative hit points, as Aglamore healed him last round. Perhaps his round would be better spent standing and engaging the remaining one so that Joao can get behind and sneak attack it.

I'd like a check on that, please. Is Ruarc above or below 0?

Actually, I'm at 5 HP I guess. Missed that you healed me somehow.

Move action; stand from prone.
Move action; pick up sword.

AC:21
HP:5/17

Ruarc gets to his feet, and picks up his sword. "Thank you, again, Aglamore."

Okay, in that case, since I'm out of channels and have only one first level spell left, I'm going to hold it back for an emergency.

"You're welcome, Ruarc!" says the priest as he squeezes past. "But the thanks are due only to the Lady."

Aglamore rushes in, looking to get an angle on the disgusting mongrelmen.

longspear: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 211d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 <- BAM! That'll do, pig!

R3 I6, AC17/13/14, HP8/13
With Aglamore's introduction into the fight, his attack felled one of the Mongrelmen, which gave Joao a way into the fight, taking a step forward to engage, working to keep the club from impacting him at all. He was not going to attack until he got into position, but he had to keep testing its defenses. If an opening presented itself...
Fighting Defensively, AC 19.
Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Combat Round 3
20+ Enemies
14 Aglamore
12 Joao
7 Ruarc
6 Pytros

The remaining prone Mongrel stands up, provoking AoOs from Joao, Aglamore and Pytros, and if still alive, attacks Joao.

Attack Joao: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

AoOs and everyone is up

Aglamore's AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 91d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Aglamore's Attack in the regular round: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 231d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"You should have stayed down," huffs Aglamore, breathing hard. "We can be merciful."

Round 4, Initiative 6
hp 13/21; AC 15/11T/14FF; +5F/+2R/+3W

Pytros doesn't threaten with his whip, so he doesn't get an attack of opportunity.

SA: Whip vs. Mongrelman (AC 13) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Pytros launches another snap of his whip, trying to put the hideous man down. With the table between them, he has to aim high. The whip snaps against the roughest part of the mongrelman's hide. It doesn't appear to cause it any pain whatsoever - not like Aglamore's piercing spear.

Round 4
HP:5/17
AC:23

Ruarc picks up his shield tiredly, and moves into the room.

R4, I6
HP: 8/13, AC 19/15/16

The one attack did not even come close to touching him, but at least this time Joao was being careful about choosing where he took damage. The swing from the mace was just more retaliation than anything, a response rather than a decisive attack, and he moved a step further into the room, each step moving him into a better position.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 - 4 = 14, Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Combat Round 4
20+ Enemies
14 Aglamore
12 Joao
7 Ruarc
6 Pytros

The bleeding Mongrel growls in pain and with a cry of "For the glory of Baphomet!!", swings at Joao,

Attack vs Joao: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Confirm?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Crit Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 6 = 15

The creature's club slam's into the side of Joao's head and he collapses, twitching, to the floor.

Everyone is up.

"No!" cries Brother Aglamore. He runs around the table and prays over Joao's fallen body.

"Lady of Faithfulness, hear your servant and heal this brave man so that he may rise up and smite your enemies!"

Run around the room to avoid the AoO and need to cast defensively.

CLW on Joao: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 <-My last 1st level spell.

AC:23
HP:5/17

5' step on top of Joao's body.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Miss

Ruarc steps over his fallen companion, as Aglamore heals him. Defending Joao's body, he slashes out with Justice at the mongrelman, roaring wordlessly. He's still badly wounded though, and his swing is slow and easily avoided.