Red Hand of Doom PBP

Game Master Tanner Nielsen

"There need be no bloodshed here!" Adele cries out. A snorting, derisive chuckle is heard coming from the trees, following by a barked grunt. Arrows sing through the air, flying from the woods on either side of the road. It is an ambush! Fierce warriors - tall, hairy humanoids with wide mouths and flat faces, clad in mail - emerge from behind trees to fire longbows. (PIC)

SURPRISE ROUND SUMMARY

Maysalkirii readies himself for battle.
Karses draws his weapons and warns his allies, giving them insight into attacking their foes.
Adele calls out to the enemies, pleading for peace.
Dragox readies himself for battle.
Findor readies himself for battle.
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Hobgoblin Soldier fires at Adele, Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15, Damage 1d8 ⇒ 5
Hobgoblin Soldier 1 fires at Maysalkirii, Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8, Damage 1d8 ⇒ 4
Hobgoblin Soldier 2 fires at Findor, Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6, Damage 1d8 ⇒ 2
Hobgoblin Soldier 3 fires at Narses, Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6, Damage 1d8 ⇒ 4
Hobgoblin Soldier 4 fires at Maysalkirii, Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18, Damage 1d8 ⇒ 8
Hobgoblin Soldier 5 fires at Maysalkirii, Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11, Damage 1d8 ⇒ 1
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ROUND 1 MAP

Initiative
Findor 23
Adele 20
Maysalkirii 19
Hobgoblin Soldiers 12
Narses 6
Dragox 3

Several hobgoblins swear in frustration as their arrows fail to meet any of their targets.

Narses will rage and power attack nr.2. If they move up he will 5' step to get out of flank or set up flank if possible.

Seeing the hobgoblin faces brought up memories. Unplesant memorys. Leering faces, the net closing in, jabs of pain, his fathers face. Before Narses could even try to keep his emotions in check his world went red.
Snarling he lets out a blood-curdling howl and rushes to the nearest hobgoblin, murder on his face.

Main hand 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
dmg 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

off hand 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
dmg 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Findor fires an armor-piercing arrow through the trees (concealment/cover?) at hobgoblin soldier 2.

Attack 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27 +1 if wearing armor or has natural armor
Damage 1d1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

He draws another armor-piercing arrow from his quiver and readies to fire, taking a 5 foot step to the east.

Narses, I will have you attack Hobgoblin Soldier 3. Everyone please label your target. It ensures there is no confusion. Thanks!

Having deftly spun out of the way of the hobgoblin's arrow, Adele reaches up to slap her pony on the haunch, hoping it will take the opportunity to flee the immediate danger. Then she begins in a low, sweet voice to sing an old song of battle-comrades facing overwhelming forces of evil and conquering through truth and loyalty. The familiar tune and well-known words bolster her allies as they prepare to engage the enemy. Inspire Courage: +2 competence bonus to attack/damage

DM can you use swift actions in a surprise round?

Edit: Seems so. Posting my Round 1 Action now. As a swift action in the surprise round Maysalkirii applies Bane (goblinoid) upon Ilyandrosa.

Round 1 Actions-

Swift Action- Activate Destruction Judgement. +1 damage this round.

Full-Round Action- Charge at Hobgoblin Soldier 4, ending SW of that Hobgoblin's position. Using power attack.

1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27
1d6 + 11 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 11 + (4, 2) = 21

I can verify the math above if needed.

Looks fine to me. Dragox, you're up to bat!

Dragox asks his deity for her blessings, casting divine favor then moves toward the closest enemy.

Three of the hobgoblins are struck down in a bloody mess. Two of them continue to fire their longbows. The soldier being menaced by Dragox snarls, "You will bow down before the Kulkor Zhul, wretches!" He reaches for a whistle on a chain around his neck and gives it a hard blow, then draws his longsword and attacks.

ROUND 1 SUMMARY

Maysalkirii is a tiny, whirling tempest of blades, charging the furthest hobgoblin and eviscerating him before he can draw another arrow.
Karses rushes the hobgoblin to the south and slashes twice, the inspiring bard-song allowing him to strike deftly with both blades. The hobgoblin falls in a heap.
Adele sings a song of loyalty and hardship, both twinging and inspiring at the same time.
Dragox calls down heavenly blessings and advances on the nearest enemy.
Findor looses an arrow, taking the hobgoblin who just attacked him in the throat. It clutches its neck and gurgles as it drops to the ground.
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Hobgoblin Soldier chops at Dragox, Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5, Damage 1d8 ⇒ 3
Hobgoblin Soldier 1 fires at Adele, Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7, Damage 1d8 ⇒ 2
Hobgoblin Soldier 2 (13 damage, dead)
Hobgoblin Soldier 3 (14 damage, dead) fires at Narses, Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13, Damage 1d8 ⇒ 3
Hobgoblin Soldier 4 (21 damage, dead)
Hobgoblin Soldier 5 fires at Maysalkirii, Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22, Damage 1d8 ⇒ 3
--------------------
Their attacks again fail to find purchase.

ROUND 2 MAP

Initiative
Findor 23
Adele 20
Maysalkirii 19
Hobgoblin Soldiers 12
Narses 6
Dragox 3

Findor looks around, taking the battle into full account. He moves 30 feet NE (That's 4 spaces I believe.) and looses an armor-piercing arrow against hobgoblin warrior 1.

Attack 1d20 + 5 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 27 +1 if wearing armor.
Damage 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 11.

Sorry about the long addition, I was slightly confused by all the bonuses I had... :P

He moves 30 feet NE (That's 4 spaces I believe.)

I thought I mentioned this, but each square is 5 feet. :) Please break down your movements into individual vectors, don't just tell me where you want to go. For example, Findor is moving 15 feet east and 15 feet north (correct me if I'm wrong).

Well, since he was moving diagonally, the square sizes alternate between 10 and 5 feet. The end result, however, would be 20 feet east and 20 feet north, if that helps any.

Findor looks around, taking the battle into full account. He moves 30 feet NE (That's 4 spaces I believe.) and looses an armor-piercing arrow against hobgoblin warrior 1.

Attack 1d20+5+4+1+1+2 +1 if wearing armor.
Damage 1d8+2+2+1+2.

Sorry about the long addition, I was slightly confused by all the bonuses I had... :P

An active effects section has a good place in the round summary for a complex gestalt game like this.

Just waiting on Adele before I take my action.

FYI the bonus Narses grantes only lasted 1 round, so it's effects have passed.

Adele didn't even have to duck to evade the second arrow the hobgoblins let fly at her, as it passed well above her head. Seeing her colleagues handily despatching their would-be ambushers, Adele continues her song, drawing her rapier in case it is needed and skipping lightly forward along the path to keep an eye on the combat. moving 6 squares east

With Cayden's blessings granting his sword arm even greater strength, Maysalkirii wastes little time in turning and charging at the nearest hobgoblin with alarming speed, his eyes furious as they recall all this vicious race of goblinoids did to him...

Charge action- 6 squares south to hit hobgoblin 5.

1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
1d6 + 10 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 10 + (5, 5) = 22

Edit: Crit threat...

1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
1d6 + 10 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 10 + (6, 3) = 25

Confirmed crit- 47 points of damage without sneak attack :P

Attack roll is two lower than the previous round, damage roll is 1 lower- due to the loss of Narses' guidance but the gain of my destruction
judgement ticking over to 2 points.

2/5 of my bane rounds used up for the day.

Seeing the hobgoblin was now stuck with nowhere to retreat, Dragon became a hurricane of fists, elbows, and knees. He strikes at the creature at least twice during the flurry of attacks.

Attack One 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Damage One 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Attack Two 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Damage Two 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

After swinging at the creature, Dragox addresses it: "This is your chance to surrender and throw down your weapon. If you choose to do so, we can end this peacefully."

Hardly pausing to see his target fall Narses rushes the next hobgoblin in sight, howling as he goes.
"GRAAAARGHH!!"

Charging + powera attacking, attack annything left standing ;) btw, I forgot favored enemy bonus last time, it's +4
main hand 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
dmg 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

off hand 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
dmg 1d6 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

TWo more hobgoblins fall, while the sole remaining foe attempts to flee down the road.

ROUND 2 SUMMARY

Maysalkirii guts a hobgoblin in a spray of viscera, nearly cleaving him in two as his twin blades connect with his spinal column.
Karses doesn't miss a beat and rushes to the north, pummeling the hobgoblin to the ground.
Adele continues singing, moving her position to maintain her effect on her allies.
Dragox barely misses with his blur of strikes.
Findor fires another arrow, striking a hobgoblin in the chest and staggering him greatly.
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Hobgoblin Soldier (11 damage) takes a 5-foot step to disengage, then a double move action to the west. He blows his whistle furiously as he runs.
Hobgoblin Soldier 1 (20 damage, dead) fires at Narses, Attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4, Damage 1d8 ⇒ 5
Hobgoblin Soldier 2 (13 damage, dead)
Hobgoblin Soldier 3 (14 damage, dead)
Hobgoblin Soldier 4 (21 damage, dead)
Hobgoblin Soldier 5 (47 damage, dead)
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As the lone hobgoblin flees you blowing his whistle, you hear muffled shouts and the clanging of arms and armor approaching from further up the road.

ROUND 3 MAP

Initiative
Findor 23
Adele 20
Maysalkirii 19
Hobgoblin Soldiers 12
Narses 6
Dragox 3

Findor moves after the retreating hobgoblin (5 squares east, 1 square north), drawing another armor-piercing arrow from one of his quivers. He knocks and fires the arrow.

Attack 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 +1 if wearing armor
Damage 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Hardly pausing to see his target fall Narses rushes the next hobgoblin in sight, howling as he goes.

"GRAAAARGHH!!"

Charging + powera attacking, attack annything left standing ;) btw, I forgot favored enemy bonus last time, it's +4
main hand 1d20+15
dmg 1d8+16

off hand 1d20+15
dmg 1d6+12

Remember no multiple attacks on a charge action.

Maysalkirii quickly moves into the undergrowth as he hears approaching figures, and disappears from sight.

Move 6 squares northeast, using my 40 feet movement. Attempt to conceal self in undergrowth. Dismiss the bane ability on Ilyandrosa. Judgement maxes out- +3 to damage.

1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38 Stealth check includes ACP

Hearing the approch of a larger force only servers to put a grin on Narses's face. Seeing Maysalkirii disapearing into the shadow he knows a familiar game is about to start.

stelth in favored terrain 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

Beeing lost in the trill of battle pusts Narses on edge and he makes more noise than a bear waking from hybernation.

Move 6 sq east using stealth lol!

Remember no multiple attacks on a charge action.

This is true. Of course, Narses beat down the hobbo with his first hit, so the second wasn't really necessary :)

Hearing the sounds of more approaching enemies, Adele sighs; she had hoped that the fighting was about to be over. Standing her ground in the middle of the road, she holds her rapier and shield ready against the coming forces. Findor's arrow should have taken down the last visible hobgoblin so she'll hold her bard song until more enemies are in range. 2 of 22 rounds used so far.

You still there, Dragox? I'm posting your actions for this round.

The last hobgoblin is cut down, his whistling halting abruptly as an arrow pierces between his shoulder blades.

ROUND 3 SUMMARY

Maysalkirii hides in the underbrush.
Karses hides in the underbrush.
Adele stands her ground in the middle of the road.
Dragox advances to the enemy.
Findor strikes down the last hobgoblin with a well-aimed shot.
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Hobgoblin Sergeant
Hobgoblin Soldier 1
Hobgoblin Soldier 2
Hobgoblin Soldier 3
Hobgoblin Soldier 4
Hobgoblin Soldier 5
Hobgoblin Soldier 6
Hobgoblin Soldier 7
Hobgoblin Soldier 8
Hobgoblin Soldier 9
Hobgoblin Soldier 10
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Just as the last hobgoblin falls however, the loud stomping of boots comes around the bend. A troop of hobgoblins, led by a nasty-looking leader with twin shortswords (PIC) comes into view. He sees several members of your party and snarls, "Engage, men! For the Kulkor Zhul!"

None of the soldiers spot Narses and Maysalkirii hiding in the brush.

ROUND 4 MAP

Initiative
Findor 23
Adele 20
Maysalkirii 19
Hobgoblin Soldiers 12
Narses 6
Dragox 3

Findor drops his longbow, pulls out the scroll of shield, and begins to cast it to the best of his abilities with his limited movement. ASF 1d100 ⇒ 33

Maysalkirii delays, waiting to pounce upon his prey.

Delaying until initiative count 11, may delay further depending on what the Hobgoblins do.

Adele raises an eyebrow. Sir, she says firmly, for lack of a better term, you might take a moment to notice that your compatriots lie slaughtered in the undergrowth, whereas my friends and I are entirely uninjured. I must strongly advise you to surrender and turn from your wicked ways.

Using Loremaster to take 20 on a Knowledge check: Who or what is the Kulkor Zhul? That's a 32 if it's Knowledge (history) or (religion), only 24 if otherwise.

Oh, they know Draconic? Fascinating...Maysalkirii thinks with genuine curiousity.

Still here DM. Posted on the discussion thread I would be out this afternoon. That's what I wanted to do though.

"Throw down your weapons now, creatures, and you will be allowed to leave here in peace. My short friend didn't lie. If you don't back down, I'll be forced to burn you with the holy flame of the Dawnflower."

Waiting in the shadows, Narses will wait till the hobgoblins are closer or move closer if they do not approch.

If you want your characters to hold their actions, please give some statements of intent to avoiding needing to wait for another post. i.e. "If the hobgoblins come closer, I will attack from the underbrush. If they don't come closer, I will charge and attack." Also include die rolls for each condition.

It's not a readied action so i'm not going to interrupt the Hobgoblins; i'd just like to be able to see the situation after they have moved so I can determine Feek's next move. I check the forums very frequently so once they have moved my post will follow shortly after.

Same dilema for me. Wanted a better idea of haow the battle stood before posting.

Narses will try to take down two hobgoblins, 1 attack each.

main 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
dmg 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

off hand 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20
dmg 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Dragox waits to see if the hobgoblins consider stopping their attack. If they do not, he will wait for the troops to move toward him. When one gets in range he will attack with an unarmed strike.

Unarmed 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

It's not a readied action so i'm not going to interrupt the Hobgoblins; i'd just like to be able to see the situation after they have moved so I can determine Feek's next move. I check the forums very frequently so once they have moved my post will follow shortly after.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Adele raises an eyebrow. Sir, she says firmly, for lack of a better term, you might take a moment to notice that your compatriots lie slaughtered in the undergrowth, whereas my friends and I are entirely uninjured. I must strongly advise you to surrender and turn from your wicked ways.

The hobgoblin commander raises his arm and his troops begin drawing arrows from their quivers. It appears they are intent to initiate combat.

Adele Dujardin wrote:

Adele raises an eyebrow. Sir, she says firmly, for lack of a better term, you might take a moment to notice that your compatriots lie slaughtered in the undergrowth, whereas my friends and I are entirely uninjured. I must strongly advise you to surrender and turn from your wicked ways.

The hobgoblin commander raises his arm and his troops begin drawing arrows from their quivers. It appears they are intent to initiate combat.

Have they taken their actions this round, or they are about to?

I was a little confused, to be honest. Do you want to act just before they do, interrupt their action, or just after they do? Adele did not appear to take any action or roll a Diplomacy check, so there just seemed to be a standoff. Not to break the fourth wall or anything, but they REALLY seem like they are going to try to fill your party with arrows like a pin cushion. It would be helpful if you posted tentative actions based on several courses of action. i.e. If they negotiate, I do this... If they engage in melee, I do this... If they attack from ranged, I do this... It would certainly help streamline the action.

I was a little confused, to be honest. Do you want to act just before they do, interrupt their action, or just after they do? Adele did not appear to take any action or roll a Diplomacy check, so there just seemed to be a standoff.

Sorry, I wasn't sure if I should roll Diplomacy there or not. I certainly can do so.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Using Lore Master is a standard action, though, so I didn't know if I could use Diplomacy in the same round. Influencing NPC's attitudes with Diplomacy takes 1 minute, so if the hobgoblins aren't interested in chatting for a while, it won't matter. :)

If the hobgoblins decide to stay back and simply fire away, Dragox will charge into their midst. If they seem open to talking, he will support Adele's negotiations. Finally, if they engage in melee, Dragox will be happy to accommodate them.

So far I have been summarizing the enemy actions at the end of the round, but since we have people delaying/holding actions, I will just describe it.

The hobgoblin commander barks a grunt and points his hand at Adele, Findor, and Dragox standing in the road. The combined troop draw their arrows and fire without moving from their current positions.

Seeing the hobs were obviously not going to listen to reason, Dragox knows that the time for negotiations had passed. He moved like a blur, directly to the side of the hobgoblin sergeant, and prepared for a beating to commence.

Double move should get Dragox to the square just to the left of the sergeant, also threatening archers #7 and 8.

Findor's actions also took up the whole round, so I am happy to say that I made the right choices... lol.

I'm on a delay, with no intention of acting until after they fire their bows etc. DM. I'm choosing to act on a later initiative count.

Basically...-
Initiative
Findor 23- Has acted
Adele 20- Has acted
Maysalkirii 19- Is waiting for Hobgoblin Soldiers
Hobgoblin Soldiers 12
Narses 6- Goes after the hobgoblins anyway
Maysalkirii's likely moment to strike- 5
Dragox 3- Has declared his actions

On their action, the hobgoblins will all draw arrows and fire. The hobgoblin commander draws his twin shortswords and directs their fire. None of them take any movement. So what would Maysalkirii and Narses like to do?