Red hand of Doom (Inactive)

Game Master Nicos

The afternoon sun beat down at you. The air is hot and still. The sparsely settled land of the Elsir Vale are starting to grow monotonous with a seemingsly endless of dusty flyspeck of towns.
The town of Drellyns ferry lie ahead of you, just like the map in Spica´s hand told you. It is a settlement hard on the borders of the Witchwood, and the best place from wich to begin the neraby forest.

You are a band of aventures and are here for bussiness. In a reacent dungeon incursion you found a map that points to a hauted place called "Vraath keep" and hints a hidden vault containing a great (undescribed) treasure, so here you are.

So, I would let you to RP for a while just to know the personalities of each of you.

BTW, read the camaping info to see what your character know about the valley

Karla stops her stomping walk for a moment. She frowns disdainfully at the road dust accumulated on her shining breastplate.

The sun had rained down on her for the better part of the day, turning her armour into a Galtan oven. Her thick cascade of lumped blood-red hair is wrapped in a cake of sweat and dust.

With steely eyes she stares in the distance, evaluating the distance to the small town.

"This is the place, right? Seems quiet..."

Her nose lifts in a rictus of indifference as she forecasts the reaction of the villagers at the sight of her.

I can be charming if I want, but why bother with them? They know not of Iron... Good for them in a way...

She straightens and adjust her dark gray burlap tunic and the battered greatsword of her father, strapped to her back for the walk.

Her voice rings like steel: "Should we stop here and camp on the outskirt?"

Spica gives a gentle pull to her horse's reins, causing the stallion to come to a stop.

"We are pretty close to the village. I think it would be a bit of a waste of time to camp here when there is a perfectly serviceable inn just a few hours ahead. Are you truly so tired that you cannot wait until we reach Drelly's Ferry to sleep?

Sitting sideways in her saddle, Spica looks to the rest of the party interrogatively.

"What about the rest of you? What do you think?"

Are there any elf populations in Elsir Vale? Just trying to figure out where Spica might have come from.

Are there any elf populations in Elsir Vale? Just trying to figure out where Spica might have come from.

There are some wild elves in the north in the region known as the blackfens. There are minor settlement of standard elves in the marth forest(see the map). You are not restricted to any of thse option and can be and outsider to the valley.

Yeah I know, but I like being a local. Which way are we coming in from, again? From the east or the northwest?

Yeah I know, but I like being a local. Which way are we coming in from, again? From the east or the northwest?

You are traveling From east to west. That way Drellyns ferry is the last town in the road.

Then yes, Spica shall hail from the Marth Forest.

Karla stares with icy eyes at the elf, but only for a moment.

Where am I supposed to practice my drills? In my inn room? Last time I tried, it cost me the price of a dagger...

She shrugs as she takes a swig of water and shoulders her bag.

Getting close, looks like. It'll be nice to rest, been a long day. Not that you care, I guess. he thinks with a grin, communicating telepathically with Ilikthang.

Aloud, he addresses his companions.

"Yes, we may as well push on to Drellin's Ferry. It's not far, after all."

By the way, would you guys mind putting up a statblock like I did? If anything, just your HP count and AC would be great to have. Would help me immensely as the party healer.

Gotcher.

"I wouldn't mind sleeping in the wilds one more night, but I suppose you soft folk from the city would like to sleep on an actual mattress for a change..." says Flynn with a smile.

The young druid stops every now and then to observe (and sometimes collect) samples of the local fauna and flora, he takes nothing that wasn't already left behind... Mostly leaves and shed scales, although the occasional abandoned webbing and fur find their way into Flynn's leather component pouch as well.

He looks to the skies and tries to read the clouds' mood. (i.e.: He takes 10 on Survival to predict the Weather for the next 24h. Since the DC for doing so is 15, I assume Flynn is successful)

The road crests a smarll rise and descends into a dusty grove in a large, shallow dell. An abandoned farmhouse. partially visible through the trees, stands on one side of the road. You've passed a dozen spots much like this one already today. but this one feels wrong. Then you glimpse the glint of mail through the brush by the side of the road. Fierce warriors-tall, hairy humanoids with Wide mouths and flat faces-are lying in wait!

perception
spica: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Karla: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
flynn: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
´Veritas: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

====
See the MAP

The red spot is karla
the blue isflyn
the yellow is spica and the grey is, of course, rinyin.

A note about terrain:
Most of the forest squares are filled with light undergrowth (2 squares 10 enter. provides concealment) and trees (provide cover TO creatures in the same square).

INITIATIVE

The good guys: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
The bad but cooler guys: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

You won initiative, you go first (in whatever order you want to post)

I'm guessing you made some mistake in your dice rolls, Nicos... ^^

Ah, you fixed it... Heh... 31d6 was a cool Perception score. BTW Flynn's Perception bonu is +14, so that's a 23, not a 22. ;)

Off 1: sorry for the early fight but the adventure is that way. There will be moment for roleplay later I promise.

Off2: this is not intended as a easy fight. First becaue the adventure is that way and second because I want to gauge your prowess. And third and maybe more important, I do not really know how good is the conversion to PF

So please, do not die ;)

Can I identify the bad guys with Arcana or Planes?

Kenchi stops in his tracks.

Looks like you'll get to taste blood soon, Ilikthang.

I may end up doing like I did for another character who had an "invisible friend" and make an alias for the sword so he can talk without it getting confusing.

Can I identify the bad guys with Arcana or Planes?

no, But here is a pic

Does that end your turn?

Well, I haven't done anything yet, so no. =p Lemme think a minute.

Take 10 on Knowledge(Local) to identify what I, the player, can easily recognize as a hobgoblin. What I'd like to know is why you've got the squishy caster out in the front by her lonesome. For the record, from now on, Spica's place in the marching formation is somewhere in the middle, where the people with the armor can defend her better. :P

"Looks like we've got company" Spica says.

She draws a small patch of leather from the pouch at her belt and tosses it in the air, before crossing her arms against her chest and chanting a few incantations. The leather disintegrates in midair as a glowing force emanates from it and wraps around Spica, leaving nothing but a faint sparkle against her skin and clothes.

Casting Mage Armor

Spica will then direct Procyon, her white-maned black stallion, to fall back, moving northwest.

Moving to the space up two spaces from Karla's square and one left, as well as the squares up and left from that one, since my horse occupies four squares.

Karla snarls a feral smile as she catches the glimpse of ambushers.

"What a fine way to end a long walk. Be praised!" she cries, her words like pellets of lead striking mud.
Judgement of Justice

She moves to stand by her companion witch, drawing a javelin, which she hurls at one of the ambushers as she reaches Spica.

Javelin with Judgement at the one east of Spica: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 2 = 221d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"Why can't we reach our destination without having to bash skulls for a change? Oh, well..."

Flynn says a few words in the druidic language and commands the earth to devour one of his opponents.

i.e.: I cast Spiked Pit (Reflex DC 16) on the Hobgoblin closest to me. I place the pit in such way that the Goblin stands in the top-right corner of the pit

Kenchi twists his hands into a sign and shouts a word, sending a trio of magic missiles flying at the hobgoblin Karla tossed her javelin at.

3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3, 1) + 3 = 11

It was a dificult shot but Karla found the way to hurt the hobgoblin trhogut all that vegetation. You all clearly hear the sound of pain from that hobgobling when the javalin incrust in its shoulder and the magic of kenchi hurts his very being, nevertheless it does not die.

By the other hand Flynn do not see exactly what happened but the hobgoblin targeted with the spiked pit did not fall in it.

All but the wounded hob fire back. The arrows flies, all but one missed. Karla now have a piece of wood piercing her hip (9 of dmg). The hob maintain the same position (except fo the injured one that hide).

All mounted character have to pass a Handle animal or ride check to have the horse under control.

Your turn.

Of course the goblin rolled a 15... -.-'

Well, no matter, he missed all his attacks against me, and he has to make another save (with a +2 bonus) since he ended his turn adjacent to the pit

Karla curses under her breath as the shaft pierces deep. She wants to move, but feels the metal tip digging inside her, sending a feeling of sickness through her mind.

Gritting her teeth, she asks the Lord in Iron to strengthen her skin while she steps back to place herself in the middle of the path.

She stands straight, oblivious to the arrows flying around her and the one jutting from her thigh. Drawing her father's sword, as tall as she, very slowly, with a voice like fire and steel, she projects her scorn at the ambushers: "Ambushes are great, when one can shoot straight. If I had a copper for all the times you missed a shot, I would be the pasha of Vudrani by now!! Come and let's end this here and now! STEEL FOR STEEL! Or lay burning in the comfort of your hiding place!"

Switching Judgement to Protection (+2 AC), Drawing weapon with movement, Casting Blistering Invective
Intimidate to Demoralize 30 ft radius, DC 10+HD+Wis mod: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
If shaken, Reflex save DC 15 or catch fire.

Oh well...

Ride: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Spica holds tight to her reins as Procyon rears up in shock and pain.

"Bastards! You'd shoot the mount before the rider?"

Ride: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Dismount as free action

Spica leaps off of her horse, able to tell that he couldn't take a second arrow.

"Six against four is hardly a fair fight. What do you say we even out the numbers? This might take a moment, try to cover me if you can."

Spica ducks down and snatches a handful of dirt from the road, then draws a candle and a small bag from her spell component pouch. She slathers both with the dirt and lights the candle, murmuring.

Summon Monster 3, summoning 1d3 Small Earth Elementals, each of which will appear near different hobgoblins within range, favoring any not already engaged in melee at that time. Spell takes one round to complete.

How many?: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Oh, right! Our turn again... My bad.

"They have us surrounded... The poor bastards..."

Flynn raises his hand and points at the injured Hobgoblin. A green blob appears in front of his fist then flies towards his target (This ability won't be useful for long, so I might as well use it now)

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Acid Dart: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Waiting for Kenchi. In the meantime karla have the luck that the hobgoblin have a low wisdom score. She then injured one and cause dmg to other 2 of them.

One of the injured by Karla catch fire while the other do not.

Fire dmg to hob 1: 1d10 ⇒ 8
Fire dmg to hob 2: 1d10 ⇒ 10
Fire dmg to hob 3: 1d10 ⇒ 2
ref of hob 2: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
ref of hob 3: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Nice! And they are shaken!

Sorry about that. Been moving the past couple of days.

Ride: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Kenchi gets his horse under control, and then dismounts.

He walks forward about 10 feet and takes a fighting stance. Motioning toward the creatures, he shouts "Come and get me, you cowards!"

seing the map Karla´s spell actually hit 4 of them.

Karla fire magicdo it job and hurt 4 of the attackers, killing the one already injured by her javalin and making one of them catch fire.

Flynn Spiked pit devours the foolish hob that did nto move. It screams of agony can be heard just for a moment, then the silence.

As soon as Spica start casting she is targeted by mst of the ramaining hob arrows. Two of them fail to pierce her skin but one nail her right leg (4 of dmg). Fortunately for her sh is acostumed to endure this kind of punishment and can continue casting her spell.

Nobody answer Kenchi´s challenge, in fact the nearest hob just move back.

The number 6 means that gobling is injured for 6 Hp. The 2f means it is injured for 2 hit points and he is on fire. The arrow indicates to wich spot does that hob moved.

SEE MAP.

I really need a better way to actualize the maps :(

Your turn.

Karla roars in pleasure at the flame: "Iron is with us, friends! Iron and Blood!"

I don't understand that map at all. When I have a bit more time, I'll PM you a suggestion as to what I use in my games.

Just to make sure, did you account for Mage Armor on those attacks? Just realised I forgot to update it in my mini statblock.

"Rise, spirits of the earth! Come to my aid!" Spica shouts, as she completes the summoning ritual.

She then notes that Kenchi is ready for battle. She touches the symbol of Desna hanging from her neck. "Kenchi! The stars will aid you as you strike!"

Standard action: Fortune Hex targetting Kenchi. Until it expires, when he would roll a d20, he instead rolls two and uses the best.

Spica then begins chanting prayers in Celestial, speaking of the aid of stars and the songs that guides travelers to their true destinations.

(Thank Iomedae for cell phone posting! :D)

"Tsc... I grow tired of this battle... Let's finish this, okay?" says Flynn, as he moves towards the nearest Hobgoblin (The one who took 6hp damage, according to the map) and makes an slashes at his opponent with his scimitar.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 (Argh... So close... Almost a crit! ><' )
1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

(BTW, we should remember to buy a happy-stick when we reach the next settlement)

The ground rumbles at the feet of the two southeasternmost hobgoblins, and two small earth elementals burst from the ground.

Each of them, though small, appear hardy and strong; it is clear that Spica has some mastery of summoning.

Both, in synchronized effort, raise strong arms of dirt and rock, attempting to slam their respective hobgoblin targets.

Earth Elemental's Slam Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Earth Elemental's Slam Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

What's a happy stick? Wand of cure? I have one of those, and I "am" one of those. I would appreciate some contribution to it, though. ;)

Just to make sure, did you account for Mage Armor on those attacks? Just realised I forgot to update it in my mini statblock.

yes but for some reason I thought cover only gve +2 Ac. Forget about the damage you recived, you are at full hit points.

I don't understand that map at all. ..games.

Red square = karla

Just to be sure, did the elementals appear with the two hobgoblin nearer Kenchi?

What's a happy stick? Wand of cure? I have one of those, and I "am" one of those. I would appreciate some contribution to it, though. ;)

Yup. Wand of CLW. Didn't notice you had one... Well, next one is on me, then. :). We should also buy a wand of Lesser Restoration, just in case...

Kenchi, seeing none have taken up his challenge, yells
"No? Then I will come to you!" and throws himself at the nearest of the enemy.

Hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Karla stays to cover Spica, grabbing a javelin that she hurls at the closest hobgoblin.

As she extends her arm back to hurl it, she asks Gorum for guidance. Lord in Iron, take heed! This blood is for you!

Switch Judgement to Justice
1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 2 = 261d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Not sure a wand of Restoration would come up enough to really be worth the money. If someone needs that, I'll prepare some of it the next day.

Kenchi, you get to roll a second d20 with my Fortune hex and take the best one. Pretty good hit already, but take the extra chance to get a crit. ;)

It'll be easier this way.

Not sure a wand of Restoration would come up enough to really be worth the money. If someone needs that, I'll prepare some of it the next day.

Well... It is a 1st level wand (thank you, Paladins everywhere!) and with 50 charges we can afford to buy one and forget about it 'til it's necessary. It costs less than 200gp per character and could save our lives... (or at least a few 2nd level spell slots ^^)

EDIT: I meant Lesser Restorarion... The normal version of Restoration is too expensive to be viable as an wand.

That's what I meant too, my bad.

Karla stays to cover Spica, grabbing a javelin that she hurls at the closest hobgoblin.

As she extends her arm back to hurl it, she asks Gorum for guidance. Lord in Iron, take heed! This blood is for you!

Switch Judgement to Justice
1d20 + 4 + 2; 1d6 + 4

Confirm: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 141d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Ah, thanks for the reminder Spica. =)

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Well, one better is still better. =)

Doing the map is really strenuous

To say it shortly Karla´s javaling togheter with Flynn scimitar Killed that hobgobling. WHile the elementals hit thir targets.

===================
Kenchi also kills the hobgoblin we attacks but just a moment later he have to dodge two arrows that comes From the sout. He do not have time to locate those archers cause he see aproaching to him a creature that resembles a thin, lanky wolf with reddish-brown fur, white claws, and burning, fiery red eyes.

The red wolf aproach him ad realease fire from his mouth (2 dmg).

Kenchi Also see a diferent Hobgobling, somewhat more imponet. He wields a short sword in each hand. With amovement of his right hand he direct two new hob (reinforcement) to help the one fithing with one of spica´s Elemantals. With hsi other hand he direct two archers to go north. And then he rushes toward Kenchi And attack him.

He is quick and skilled, his technique take Kenchi by surprise. The magus recve a cut in his shoulder (8 dmg)
==================
Karla and Spica can see that kenchi is in trobule but before they can react two arrows are fired. Karla´s armor defelct both attacks.

Also, A red wolf comes out form the forest and run toward them relasing Fire from his mouth. Karla recieves 1 hp of damage.

==============
MAP!!

OK
R (with red dot)= regular hobgoblins Wielding longswords
R (with Blue dot)= Hobgobling archer
H= Red wolfs
C= The hobgoblin with Two short swords

Your turn

I would like to recommend looking into Roll20 for map handling. It does an absolutely wonderful job of this, especially when you have actual maps to copy into it. Then you can just move pieces on each turn, and we can move our own pieces on our turns, which makes that job much easier too.

"Go help Kenchi, I'll be alright," Spica nods to Karla, and taking a five foot step northwest.

No longer have the words left her lips that she resumes her prayers, granting Karla the same benediction as Kenchi.

Standard action: Fortune Hex to Karla. Move action: "Cackle" Hex to extend Karla and Kenchi's fortunes by one round.

Finding itself surrounded, the southmost earth elemental takes a five foot step to the right, before attacking the most injured Hobgoblin within reach.

Its counterpart, on the other side of the road, slams at its respective foe again.

South Elemental Slam: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
North Elemental Slam: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Second round begins. Three more rounds remain. Whoa, these guys are having some fantastic rolls.