Palace of the Vampire Queen (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

The person in question is actually the Queen's cross-dressing alter ego, but s/he's asked you to keep that to yourself. In this persona she prefers to be called "Big Steve".

Big Steeve's odeous personal habits are just part of her magisty's cover and should be ignored or emulated while visiting.

You are sure that your confidentiality is earning you favor with the crown.

Yeah that could be about what he knows, given the role. hehe, but no, Mazrim doesn't know the man, and has not heard any rumors about him. He has heard the name mentioned, but that is all.

You should make a perception check, once you are within 60 feet of the bridge, assuming you do not have anything else to say, or do, between the last scene and when you are 60 feet from the bridge.

If you need to ask each other questions, or formulate a plan, you should do it in this thread, and then post the decisions in the game thread.

Sorry, but in Helgen's mind these guys are clearly bandits. They can either surrender or die. No way in hell he's going to believe that guy, who's obviously trying to walk them into a trap. Now I didn't actually have a minute to:

Influence Attitude

You can use Intimidate to force an opponent to act friendly toward you for 1d6 × 10 minutes with a successful check. The DC of this check is equal to 10 + the target’s Hit Dice + the target’s Wisdom modifier.

Success: If successful, the opponent will:

give you information you desire
take actions that do not endanger it
offer other limited assistance

After the intimidate expires, the target treats you as unfriendly and may report you to local authorities.

Fail: If you fail this check by 5 or more, the target attempts to deceive you or otherwise hinder your activities.
Influence Attitude Action

Using Intimidate to change an opponent’s attitude requires 1 minute of conversation.

So I'll let Terquem decide how that works rules wise.

I was going to mention that it takes a minute to influence an attitude.

Two things,

The intimidate, seems like it is going to have an effect on the Boss's attitude - and the show of strength by the whole party is going to work in favor of the roll, as I see it.

I've got limited computer access for a couple of days, but I will get a post up before the end of Monday, sorry about the delay.

Figured I'd put this in here...

Hiring these guys sounds good but I don't think we should have them guard the camp alone just in case they decide to rob us. Seven silver's each for a group of guides to get us to witch's valley sounds like a fair price especially if they can help us avoid other tolls.

I agree Mazrim.

Are you wondering about them guarding their own camp? The camp under the bridge? You see there is a little settlement under that bridge, it is small, and crowded, and the two dwarves mentioned that have families will stay to guard that camp, with the remaining family members of the dwarves. You ceertainly don't expect them to bring along the whole camp do you? maybe I misunderstand what you are asking.

I'm wondering about them guarding our camp alone in case they decide to rob us.

our camp if we have to stop for the night away from an inn

we'll just make sure one of us is always on watch with one of them.

Okay, I understand, but for now, before any decision is made on how long these mercenaries will be with you, it is safe to assume that the party can make the seven miles upriver to the village at Eight Fountains Springs, before nightfall. Once in the village, the mercenaries may want to return, or you can try to persuade them to continue on to the Palace of the Vampire Queen, that is of course if you have some idea where to look for it by then.

Sounds good.

As a note, I'll have spotty net access until late Monday. NPC Hal as needed.

Terquem how are you handling experience points and leveling?

good question. I'll get a post up tomorrow with details. Spent the whole weekend emailing bed and breakfast places in Ireland and learning bus schedules out of Dublin, sheesh.

I think it's safe to say you have all earned 500 xps for role play, and putting up with a long intro. I'll probably hand out double or triple xp for any combat we manage to get through, and I may start rewarding exceptional posts with an xp bonus (it will be a percentage bonus applied to the next group award).

We'll use a fast advancement table, but I was sort of hoping you would not level before actually reaching the Palace, and that might not be possible, but that is my fault for building too much into the beginning

You know, I'd be all for you telling us when we level up and doing away with XP altogether. It would be one less thing to track and lets you very easily control the pace of advancement.

You know, I'd be all for you telling us when we level up and doing away with XP altogether. It would be one less thing to track and lets you very easily control the pace of advancement.

Seconded, that's what I do in my games. Just level us up when we should be level 2.

I agree, level us up when you want to. Its less stuff to track and won't happen at inopportune times (like right before a boss fight thus making it easier that planned)

Terquem have you decide how you where going to handle combat (posting) and initiative?

Not really. Sorry. Seems like initiative, character bbased is a bit tricky since postings are difficult to manage.Holiday weekend is kicking my bottom, plus planning for trip to Ireland. I will get a game post up today. I am abit suprised that players don't talk to each other in this thread very often. particularly to discuss plans

Well, we have a general plan already (I think). To make combat plans we need some kind of map probably.

I'd recommend that you roll initiative for everyone, and do the monster's actions on block initiative. Or at least break them up into several groups of 3-4 that act together or something. Otherwise with ~20 goblins, we will be playing out this combat until the kiddies go back to school in the fall.

I'd like to try to have each player roll initiative in this thread. The characters will not actually know when each other character is going to act, so post your first action with your roll.

The goblins must climb down ladders and cross 15 feet of open ground to get to you, and they will move to attack (they have no missile weapons). It is going to be a chaotic battle, but I hope to manage it quickly and have it finished before the weekend.

Don’t worry about posting in the game thread out of order, just post your action in this tread, each round, and I will try to create a narrative in the game thread that describes the action in brief. If you want to attack a particular target (a Goblin, a Mounted Goblin, or a Mount) say so, and make your attack and damage rolls together. If you want to take a Combat Maneuver, make that roll as well.

If you have questions about modifiers, please ask and I will address them as fast as I can.

These are standard Goblins, but three of them have a level in warrior, and a feat that lets them ride a spider mount (but they are not great at mounted combat, so don’t let them intimidate you).

These Spider Riders do not use saddles, and rely on the strength of their legs to hold onto the mount. They can be tripped off of the mount, if you can perform that kind of action. Tripping the spiders does not seem like a good idea.

Posting the actions in the discussion thread that are then carried over to the game thread seems like a lot of extra work for everyone involved.

Rownig's initiative Spider riding Goblins.

Rownig's Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Rd 1 action:

Rowing quickly grabs a second arrow and shoots at the same spider. The arrow seems to fly off its intended track.

Round 1 Attack with arrow: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 92d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 = 7

If spider one is down he aims at the next closes spider.

I don't expect players to repost actions in the game thread. I was thinking I would summarize.

I don't expect players to repost actions in the game thread. I was thinking I would summarize.

That seems like extra work for you as DM. This is not a real active posting campaign to begin with, and waiting for summaries will probably slow it down even more.

I tend to describe my character's actions rather than just rolling dice. Others may disagree but the actions should be placed in the game thread and out of character discussions in the discussion thread. At least that is how I've seen it done. Granted your method may read more novel like but it will cause toggling through different tabs to really get the feel for what is happening in the game.

However you want to do it is fine with me. We can make adjustments until we find what works best for us.

The only thing that will irk me is if the gameplay thread becomes annoying to read (which usually only happens when people discuss OOC stuff in-game)

init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Lets try it this way and it if doesn't work out we can change like Hallister said.

initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Mazrim will continue to hold his action to disarm the first goblin that enters his 10 ft reach

cmb disarm: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14

if you allow afterwards on next goblin entering range if not it'll be his action on next turn

attack of opportunity disarm: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 = 18

Hal was talking and trying diplomacy during the surprise round, so I'm not sure if he gets an action.

If he does, he'll go full defensive and stay in front of the ranged folks to try to suck up attacks. That will make his AC 21

Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

My first action will still be what I said, wait for someone to close to melee range and then hit them with my hammer.

Attack (Power Attack)1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Bah! Auto miss.

I don't know how important it is to keep the details, detailed. But it looks like the spider riders will come into melee range first.

One will go for Helgen, who misses with his readied attack. One will attack Moralane, and one will attack Orson.

Hallister would be either moving to block Goblins from getting to Rownig, or Orson (his choice, and the two are separated by about ten feet).

Orson will get off a crossbow shot, before the spider rider closes in on him, and Galana and Voranzil will each attack the spider.

Atharessa will charge to block a Spider Rider going toward Azram, and Moralane will shot an arrow at a goblin on foot.

A single goblin comes into range of Mazrim in round 1, and is disarmed.

Turrand, going last, will attack the spider attacking his group (which has been hit by one arrow in the surprise round).

can everyone please gather into a tight formation. melee outside, reach and range inside.

ROUND 2:

Rownig makes sure he keeps at least 5 feet between himself and his initial spider target. Quickly grabbing another arrow he aims and shoots at the spider in a solid fluid action.

Round 2 Attack Spider with Arrow: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 1 = 162d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8

Looking to see if the arrow penetrates the vermin. He instinctively tightens his battle formation.

Helgen will swing his hammer at the spider who just tried to bite him before stepping back.

Attack (PA) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 6) + 9 = 16

5' step back, attempting to close formation as Hal described.

Mazrim will attack the goblin close to him.

power attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11

Looking to see where our formation is weakest or if there are any stragglers and only move towards the where Hollister suggests if no-one else looks like they're in trouble.

Ok, one thing I'm realizing is that without a map tactics go right out the window. there's no way to direct traffic or figure out where to move to make the most of your action. Between Rownig and Orson, I don't know which is in more danger.

So I guess Hal will just hack at a goblin and try to keep in front of the one who's being swarmed the most.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Helgen will swing his hammer at the spider who just tried to bite him before stepping back.

Attack (PA) 1d20+4
Damage 2d6+9

5' step back, attempting to close formation as Hal described.

Helgen you may want to redirect that attack to the goblin riding that spider. The spider may be dead, as I've hit it with one and possible a second arrow. You need to look in the gameplay thread to see that the spider I shot is the one that moved in front of you.

Well, if it's dead I will. Other wise I'll take out the spider. Goblin is a lesser threat, and if his mount dies he should have a chance to fall off and be possibly prone.

Without a map this is bit more difficult to visualize. I see Rownig's arrow missed but Helgen's attack succeeded. I suppose that is result of shooting into melee. I was under the impression that the goblins coming from the caves were coming down or up the cliff.

Round 3:

Rownig will fire an arrow at the spider attacking Atharessa.

3rd Round arrow at Spider: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 1 = 141d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

I assumed that I'm no longer in a sneak attack postion with the combatants, if that is incorrect there should be an additional 1d6+1 damage.sneak attack damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

If my mental picture is right, we are up against a cliff in a semi circle 3people deep at it's widest point.

That's just about perfect.

What we need to do is reconnect with the rest of the group, so we need to move through those goblins.

So we need to Overrun them. Helgen, if you fight defensively your AC should be able to suck up AoOs. I doubt they have Combat Reflexes so we should be mostly fine.

If all the High Strength folks Overrun a goblin that should clear the way. They'll either move or get knocked prone (prone creatures don't threaten spaces and small creatures have a CMD penalty).

Everyone else can move in their wake. Anyone who fails their CMB check can get Aid Another checks from the rest of us to raise their numbers into success range.

Thoughts?

You are on the edge of the cliff, behind you is a drop of about twenty feet, or less, and then another drop to the river. How perfect that is, is you opinion. :)

Across from you, past the goblins attacking you, is a cliff face going up, with caves.

Rownig, there are two Spiders left, one attacking Atharessa, and one attacking Voranzil and Galana. Which one is the target of your attack, both are within thirty feet, and unaware of you attacking them.

I'm sorry for the fuzzy battle image, but I think it is going well enough, so far.

Does it look something like this Cliff Map? When I zoom out there is a water feature on the right hand side. I did not include the the other party members yet. Just want to see if this is generally correct.

CLIFF BATTLE MAP

I just picked on our backs are to the cliff, I could correct that on the next map.

I do think it is tedius going back and forth between the discuss and the game thread. I have found myself flipping back and forth between the GM's description in the game thread then back to the discussion thread to do actions/rolls. Its a bit easier to scroll up or down the thread then to flip screens.

Rownig shoot at the injured one, I believe that is the one attacking Voranzil and Galana.

Rownig, that's awesome. The only real issue is that there's a severe lack of our NPC support crew. Very pretty though.

Terq, have you considered using Google Docs? You can use spreadsheets to create rough maps and set the allowances so we can all edit it. That would help us visualize things a lot.

Does this look closer?

REVISED BATTLE MAP

I flipped the party around a bit, and added the spiders (Hexes D8, and H12);

NPC (WHITE FIGURES, Hexes D7, E8, F8, H11, H13, I12);

Goblins (Hexes C3, E3, C4, B5, E9, F9, G9, F10, G11, G12, G13, I13).

I have 12 Goblins as 2 died and one fled on the spider. I can add more if necessary. I believe there is goblin on one spider's back. (sort of difficult to put a token on a token and have both to show up). If you tell me which hexes have the dead goblins, I can add the death symbol like I did for the spider Helgen killed.

Making changes is easy enough for me now.

That does look good. I have to tell you that I am not nearly as internet savy as you folks, did i mention that Im old? Very old, ancient. Google Docs? time for me to get education.

I'm not internet savvy or artistic at all, I'm not ancient but I'm in my 40's. I started to use dropbox and maptools within the last month during the campaign I run. Both are free. There are a ton of free encounter maps and tools on maptools and on the net.