PbP Gameday IV - GM Silbeg's 6-11 Slave Master's Mirror (Inactive)

Game Master Silbeg

The old man follows Haafiz's action, quickly digging into the chest. A moment later, he pulls free his exquisite longbow and a compliment of arrows, then stands at the ready. With the string pulled taut and an arrow poised and ready to strike, Ibid guards the other's motions.

To the old man, holding the bow again feels like being united with an old friend.

Hang on there, hombre's... stuffs a-happenin'. It is a standard action to activate the magic of the trunk as well. Yes, you could have activated your tiny, tiny toys before.

(partial) actions so far

• Haafiz moves out, prepares to strike (which technically doesn't work)
  
• Ibid moves out, prepares to use command word for chest
  
• Pooka moves to find where Luna is
  
• Amaranti?
  
• Miro?
  
• Finarin?
  

the three that haven't moved, please state your actions (each gets a partial action - a move or a standard, not both).

Back in the room before we break free...

"Heed Miro and Haafiz's words! These smug and vile creatures would see you in chains, not out of some laziness or desire to have someone else do the work they deem themselves above, but because they would grind you beneath their heels. The slavery you now find yourselves in is not about menial tasks, it is about subjegation and the need to inflate their own importance by placing people below them, since they themselves cannot rise above their current station."

"So whether you do this for yourself, or your family, have courage, and know that to stand up to the tyranny is to do it for any slaves who may come behind you. For hope is more powerful than any whip."

Breaking the door down and shortly after...

Pooka turns away from Gima and the other ladies, Trying to be as proper as one can considering the circumstances. He reaches into his threadbare trousers and with a little wiggle, pulls his heavy flail out, which quickly grows to its full length.

Turning back he throws a wink at Gima, then gets ready to lend his strength to the effort to break the door down.

Pooka churns his little legs and leans his shoulder into the door as the three hit in unison. He knows how to put his weight into a charge, and with the combined might of the 4, he feels the portal give way with a satifsying crack.

They are going to hear that... so much for getting my armor on. Just need to get to Luna...

Once free of the door, he breaks for the cage, calling for Gima to come help him get the door open. "Just help me get her out, then take cover back in the room. And do not worry, We will not let any harm come to you. Desna and Cayden Caileen have more work for you to do in the network."

When she moves to help, he turns, holding his flail in both hands, ready to defend her.

"Ready yourself Luna! The time has come to break these bonds!"

I know you said "move into the room" but it would be nice in future to get a "take a partial action" instead, in case someone didn't want to move into the room. For example, Haafiz could have cast a spell with a non-material component instead... or readied a charge... etc. I'm okay to leave it as "he moves in", just for next time it would be nice if it were more explicit as to what kind of action we were getting.

With a bark and a snarl, Luna does several circles in place, pacing back and forth across the bars of the cage, anxious to be set free.

Her hackles stand tall, creating a ridge of stiff hair down the center of her back. Spittle flies from her mouth and her barking echoes off the chamber walls, enough to make anyones hair stand on end.

Gonna eat the fake dogs, gonna eat the fake dogs, gonna eat the fake dogs...

I know you said "move into the room" but it would be nice in future to get a "take a partial action" instead, in case someone didn't want to move into the room. For example, Haafiz could have cast a spell with a non-material component instead... or readied a charge... etc. I'm okay to leave it as "he moves in", just for next time it would be nice if it were more explicit as to what kind of action we were getting.

Was just going to say that... I know you have a lot of games going on and I totally feel your pain being so busy, but we need to know what we need to know, because your the only one who knows to be able to tell us :)

Haafiz wrote:

I know you said "move into the room" but it would be nice in future to get a "take a partial action" instead, in case someone didn't want to move into the room. For example, Haafiz could have cast a spell with a non-material component instead... or readied a charge... etc. I'm okay to leave it as "he moves in", just for next time it would be nice if it were more explicit as to what kind of action we were getting.

Was just going to say that... I know you have a lot of games going on and I totally feel your pain being so busy, but we need to know what we need to know, because your the only one who knows to be able to tell us :)

Sorry... totally understood. I will do that in the future... for sure. Wasn't meaning to try and catch you at anything... I just sometimes forget we need to phrase things differently in PbP! If Haafiz, Ibid, or Pooka want to retcon their actions, that's fine.

Pooka is good, need to get my pooch out, so that is his primary focus. And don't stress about it, I totally understand.

I can barely run the one game I do, and that is one of the things I am finding. sometimes a wrap up post can take me an hour, then I realize I still haven't given them the information they need to actually move forward. GMing is much more challenging via PbP than at a table, IMO. More rewarding as well I think, but there is definitely another layer to it.

F U lunch I see. More to come later today.

Things happening quickly, Finarin rushes into the room to guard Ibid as he mutters the command word to the chest.

"Quickly Ibid. I fear that we have .... little time."

He stands at the ready, scimitar poised to defend the aged human.

I'm good on the retro. I'll stay where I am and threaten that area for my action.

As a non-sequitor, Miro, you should look into getting Gallant Inspiration as a 2nd level spell soon. Immediate action, and it's so situationally useful to be able to pull one of those out - at any level. Just noted it under Janira's spells in The Confirmation and thought "why haven't I seen that used much before?". ;-)

"Yes, listen to small men Miro and Pooka. Now is chance to go free! Leave chains behind! No need be afraid, we protect from slavers. We very good!"

Amaranti stands in the doorway, rubbing his shoulder. He door put up good resistance, but eventually it gave away. Some splinters managed to bruise his skin, leaving a memoir from their escape. The Garundi is happy to let the others storm into the room first - he still feels naked without Kaisharga and his lance. So first line isn't so tempting as usual. But he can protect his allies while they move, he still has his magic. So Amaranti stands guard, ready to summon aid from the planes should they face opposition.

Ready action : Summon Monster IV SLA if enemies arrive.

I am good with Ibid's action to get his bow and some arrows. However, he does not have to be the first one to collect something from the chest. Some one else can collect their own whatever before Ibid, since that might be more useful to the group.

Someone else, please free to step in front of Ibid.

Official declaration - if combat erupts before Finarin has a chance to put his armor on I am going to activate

Spell Shield - The magus can expend a point from his arcane pool as an immediate action to grant himself a shield bonus to AC equal to his Intelligence bonus until the end of his next turn.

If an attack roll against me succeeds, but the shield bonus +4 or hit of more than AC 16, but less than AC 20, would negate that hit.

The team moves out from the slave pen into the kennel. Some have the weapons at the ready (if not all?), when they notice that the dire hyenas are not locked in their cages like Luna is.

Party is up! The crate/trunk has not yet been activated. Everyone has full actions.

Feeling naked without all his gear, Finarin tries to end this as quickly as possible. Enchanting his cold iron scimitar with his eldritch energies the blade balance becomes perfect and the end transforms into a razor sharp slicing edge. Not satisfied the blade once again become imbued with electric energies oscillating up and down the blade. Ozone and human sweat filth make a horrible cloud around them.

He moves swiftly into battle slicing at the nearest hyenadon

Scimitar Attack W/ +1 Scimitar keen: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 1 = 21
Scimitar Damage w/ +1 Scimitar: 1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10
Shocking Grasp Damage: 7d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 6, 4, 2, 2, 6) = 28

swift arcane pool point, standard cast shocking grasp only V,S, move towards hyenadon

blue Hyenadon. Thanks slides :)]

"I'll get the chest open!" Haafiz calls out. Knowing that flexibility and mobility on the battlefield was his greatest strength, the little keleshite runs around the other side of the chest (move action) and calls out the command word to open it (standard action). He would strike at the beasts when they were at their most vulnerable - out in the open.

"I'll get you out of there Luna! Hold Gima, we must put down these dogs first!"

Pooka steps forward, expecting the creatures to try to get out of their cage. He brings his heavy flail low, ready to swing it forward at the beasts head if it gets close enough.

Confirming that yes Pooka had it out, see this post above.

Edit: Ohh Cayden's ballsack.... Pooka's damage sucks when he can't charge... Gotta get the poochie out!

"Someone bar that other door so nothing else can come in here! Once these dogs are down, we need to get our gear out and on! I don't like not having my armor on!"

get me out of where?

I don't know if the ready action would have triggered, but here's the same action anyway

Without words, without gestures, Amaranti's mind creates an open link into the Outer Planes. "Eremiel!" here, in Material Plane only a whisper escapes the summoners lips, but in the endless reaches of Celestial Planes, this summon rings clearly. And immediatly, something answers.

A creature materializes out of thin air, to stand between the hyena and the party. This one has a dog's head in a humanoid body, and its whole existence radiates goodness. In its hands it wields a great sword of shining metal, which it brings down on the hyena.

Summon Hound Archon

Greatsword attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 = 9
Greatsword attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4) + 3 = 10
Bite attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

All hostiles within 20 feet are subject to aura of menace. DC 16 will save or take –2 penalty on attacks, AC, and saves until they successfully hit the archon

worth noting that sine we all act befor the hyenadons, Finarin and anyone else who is attacking will delay until Miro sings. Unless he doesn't sing in which case proceed as if I was never here. Which I wasn't

The old man decides at the last moment to forgo grabbing his longbow from the chest, and instead rushes across the room to the south, hoping to secure this portal from additional intruders. His shoulder slams ungracefully against the wooden door and he sets his feet to push against panel, if it were to be opened. In his haste to rush to the door, he forgot to check if it was barred already, or if there was a way to lock it from opening.

This is a bad idea... he laments to himself, knowing he is far less effective without his bow, but not wanting to waste the time time to call two different objects from the chest when there are great dangers mere feet away.

Move Action: move to southern door *token not yet moved*
Standard Action: ready action to brace against door- Ibid has a +2 str modifier

is the southern most door locked/barred already from our side of the door? If not, can it be?

Finarin moves up, and blasts the living shit out of one of the hyenadons. It falls over, not moving at all.

Then, Amaranti summons a Hound Archon, the blade of which cuts deep on the first attack, but fails to connect with the second, finally biting the creature. However, the
red will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Ibid moves to the portcullis... he can see a couple gnolls getting ready to move in, as the sounds of battle come from the kennel. (Lockwooded on slides)

Pooka stands at the ready for anything to happen.
(You did all see when I said that the chest was still closed, right?)

Haafiz and Miro are up.

Haafiz's actions already included above.

also, for Ibid's action, is there a door for him to shut (at the south doorway)?

Or maybe, is the portcullis already closed? And if not, is there a way to close it from our side? (Sorry for all the questions :) )

also, for Ibid's action, is there a door for him to shut (at the south doorway)?

Or maybe, is the portcullis already closed? And if not, is there a way to close it from our side? (Sorry for all the questions :) )

the portcullis is closed. However, you can tell that the opening mechanism is in the outside. Where the gnolls are. Who have whips, among other things.

Miro moves out and starts singing a song of freedom and victory, inspiring you with his words.

The other hyena attacks, though he's coyed a little by the hound archon.
bite: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 2 = 8

The hyenas on the outside start moving, barking orders to each other. One seems particularly stronger, and obviously in charge.

Party is up!

Haafiz looks around at his powerful allies and the already dead hyenadon, the other being tackled by a creature summoned from the heavens, "Desna has truly blessed this mission."

Haafiz grips his blade all the tighter and waits to see what comes out of the portcullis.

Delaying until immediately after whoever is opening the portcullis opens it. Let me know if you want a spoiler for the most likely outcome, but this is not a readied action - I'm delaying.

"Umm... guys..." Ibid stammers, seeing the hyenas on the opposite side of the portcullis and the means to open the portal within their grasp as well. In a moment of panic he looks up, scanning the portcullis, looking for any visible gears or pulley by which he might disable its opening. Turning next he sees the chest and knows his bow is close at hand.

The old man questions what he should do next...

Edit: I am updating Ibid's action, based on the group response. Ibid will fall back to get his bow, away from the portcullis. He will use the action in the second spoiler.

Trusting that the planar creature Amaranti summoned can finish off the last hyena, Finarin moves to the chest and grabs his spell component pouch.

"Ibid ... pull back when you can."

Turning to Haafiz, "I have a surprise that I believe you will ... like. Now that you no longer have to worry about .... slowing your pace."

Gunari never wanted me to use this but I feel that Haafiz will quite enjoy it.

After beginning to inspire his allies, Miro rushes into the room. Ignoring the chest for now, he turns his attention to Ibid and the gnolls just outside the portcullis.

Miro prepares himself, beginning to call upon his mystical bardic power, waiting for the right time to enact it.

Pooka growls in frustration Because he wasted a crit and runs over to the door that keeps his precious Luna locked inside. He grabs the door and rattles it, hoping it is unlocked the same way the Hyenadon's doors were unlocked. If they are locked He reels back with his flail and begins to bash the door with all his strength.

Uttering the command word, Amaranti makes the miniature weapon in his hand grow back into its normal size. He stands his ground for the moment, watching how the others fare with the portcullis. His summoned ally seems to need no help. "Eremiel, kill big hyena quick. There more enemies near."

The Hound archon glances at the Garundi, and a something like a smile appears on its canine face. "Yes, Amaranti of Garund. Fear not, I shall smite thy enemies, and protect thy friends. " the creature speaks a language no one quite recognises, but everyone understands perfectly. With growl, it raises the heavy blade high above him, and brings it down on the hyena.
Greatsword attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 = 9
Greatsword attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 3 = 7
Bite attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Greatsword #1 conf: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8

Gunari never wanted me to use this but I feel that Haafiz will quite enjoy it.

Totally confused... which is common when I read John's posts... but...

Ibid perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Ibid doesn't see any real way to disable the portcullis, so moves back to grab his bow.

Pooka tries the door, and finds that the door to Luna's pen is locked, so he knocks on the door.

Finarin grabs his spell component pouch out of the chest, ready to cast some surprising spells.

Amaranti is up, Haafiz is delayed, Miro is readied.

Amaranti is up, Haafiz is delayed, Miro is readied.

Amaranti is up... literally! Scroll up. ;-)

"GIMA!! I need you now! Please help me get this door open!"

Pooka pleads with the woman who has already offered to help.

Cyrus'd!!! DAMN IT!

Pooka hears a squeak coming from the slave pen... sounds like Gima. You are pretty sure she is scared witless right now.

The Hound Archon obliterates the remaining hyenadon.

The portcullis is starting to open, but is not high enough to get through, yet. The gnolls are sitting back, waiting for the thing to open.

Miro, you cannot technically have a condition for your ready like that. I'll just assume you cast the Grease immediately.

Ref:red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Ref:purple: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

They then throw their javelins at Haafiz and Ibid. (both have cover)
Javelin:red (Haafiz): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Javelin:purple (Ibid): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Javelin:purple (Ibid) confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
crit piercing damage, Ibid: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (3, 3) + 10 = 16

Waiting to move on for a moment, in case someone wants to break in.

Haafiz has now officially delayed into the next round while waiting for the portcullis to open. At the current rate of opening, how long before the door will open?

Haafiz has now officially delayed into the next round while waiting for the portcullis to open. At the current rate of opening, how long before the door will open?

Probably the next time the gnolls go, you would suspect.

Party is up!

Thanks GM... then Haafiz delays as before.

The Keleshite, who feels more than a little naked without his armor and other equipment, continues to grip his nodachi tightly. He waits, patiently for the portcullis to raise before blasting forwards.

Delay again. As before, Haafiz will delay to act directly after the gnoll opening the portcullis has acted, and before anyone comes through.

Several shallow caves with wooden gates and floors covered in straw open into this room from the north.

That text is from an earlier post. I need to ask because I am still unclear. Is the door to Luna's cave locked? Is it actually wooden or is it Iron? The answers to these questions have an effect on my next action (and my previous action as well)

The javelin strikes the old man squarely, sending him staggering backward in pain and confusion. As the stinging pain races outward from the gaping wound on his side, he thrusts his free hand back into the chest and wills a quiver of arrows forth.

If only I had my armor, his mind races, anger brewing at the thought of undertaking a task for the society where he wouldn't have proper protection.

Standard Action: collect arrows from chest
Move Action: move 20-feet toward easter wall of the room

Miro curses most unheroically as the gnolls both manage to keep their footing. The halfling steps over to Finarin, grinning up at the elf. He speaks a few powerful words and holds his hand out, touching the elf's arm. Insight and energy infuse him, the combat seeming to slow down just a bit, which should be enough for the magus.

"A little something extra to guide your blade, friend."

Move, then cast Heroism on Finarin