Red Hand of Doom PBP

Game Master Tanner Nielsen

"Thank you, Mr. Natherson." Adele tucks the map away. "If ever you have need of our aid, we are in your debt. If you come across any more information about the movements of the hobgoblins, we will be in the direction of Vraath Keep." She inclines her head respectfully as she takes her leave.

"A pleasant enough fellow." Findor remarks of the capable fellow as he also sauntered behind, armor gleaming in the sun.

"Vraath.... I wonder if that's Draconic. It does indeed sound ancient."

You depart from Jorr Natherson's cabin and continue on the Dawn Way into the Witchwood. The sun overhead beats shines brightly, but it is relatively cool under the forest canopy. Several miles pass without incident until you begin to move from forest into marshland, then marshland into swamp.

A wide expanse of dark water has flooded the woodland in this low valley. Trees still protrude from the calm, dark waters here and there, but many large reaches seem to be little more than open pools of algae-choked water. The tril of frogs and the whine of insects fills the air. The forest road leads right down to the edge of the flooded section, up to a rickety-looking causeway made of thick planks of wood lashed together with mossy rope. The wooden causeway runs for several hundred feet through the boggy patch, only a foot or so above the water. Up ahead you can make out several crates, lying half-sunk in the flooded forest about thirty feet from the causeway.

Marching order, please.

Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

"Watch out! Looks like a snake coiled ahead near the crates."

I assume we will keep the same marching order we had initially. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think it was Feek, Narses, Findor, Adele and Dragox.

Perception 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

"What? Where?"

perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

"Over there, by the crates 30' out." Narses nodds out to the crates at Adele's queston, not takng his eyes of the snakes.

perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

At the mention of a snake, Findor draws his bow and readies an arrow. His eyes search the waters for the secretive slitherer but he sees nothing.

"Be careful, there may be more than one of them."

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

I don't see it... Feek mutters, but draws Ilyandrosa and Chianni, trusting that the eyes of his comrades were keener than his.

I think unless Narses objects, the two ranger-types (Feek and Narses) will always be taking point, slightly ahead and on either side of the party flanking them.

Approximately half-way across the sluggish river, you hear a splash and a roar. Just to the north a large quadraped, covered in scales and swamp muck, rears out of the murky water. The single reptilian head is joined by five others all distrubingly attached to the same body. With a cacophonic bellow, they join in chorus and lurch forward to attack. (PIC)

No surprise round. Initiative rolls, please, and your actions for Round 1.

ROUND 1 MAP

Initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Dragox waits until the monster closes to within range I need it to be within 40 feet, so I will move as far forward as necessary to get it in the spell effect before intoning Sarenrae's help to defeat the vicious beast before them. "Dawnflower, please strengthen our blows in your name, and punish the monster for attempting to prevent our goodly task!"

Casting Prayer. The good guys all get + 1 luck bonus to all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks for 5 rounds. The hydra takes a -1 to all her/his appropriate rolls.

And very nice mapping skills DM. That looks spiffy...

Knowledge (nature) 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

Any additional helpful information for a high check, DM? ;) Also, on the map, are the green squares solid ground?

Knowledge (Nature) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Initiative 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Findor moves one space to the east and one space northeast to stand at the edge of the wooden platform. He releases the durable arrow at the multiheaded creature.

Attack 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

DM in future can you roll initiative on behalf of everyone? As a rogue my actions depend heavily on initiative order, in particular when I know if i'm going before the bad guy or not. I know some DM's prefer to get everyones actions and then resolve it but that really cripples me somewhat :S. Also I don't have access to the APG yet, so i'll play my Inquisitor stuff as is for now.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Initiative

Going to assume that wins initiative. Editing in action now, 5 minutes tops.

Reacting swiftly, Feek moves 3 squares west and 1 square north. Concentrating, he utters a prayer to Cayden Cailean and a spiritual rapier made of force appears and begins to furiously jab at the Hydra's body. Feek then utters a judgement upon the Hydra as a pale white light envelops him, protecting him from his mighty foe...

Using Protection judgement, AC is 25 this round.

Spiritual Weapon attack rolls and judgement. Damage ignores any DR as its force.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 Attack Roll
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Force Damage

1. How does everyone feel about the DM rolling initiative for everyone?

2. Light green is solid ground. Yellow-green is marshland and counts as difficult terrain. Blue is water.

Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"Don't let it drag you into the water," Adele calls out urgently, as she backs onto solid ground, drawing her rapier. Moving 3 squares west, off of the bridge Raising her voice, she begins to sing an old battle song of troops marching off to war, arm in arm with their comrades. Inspire Courage: +2 competence bonus to attack & damage

EDIT: I'm fine with DM rolling initiative.

I am fine with you rolling initiative as well, DM.

initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
knowledge nature 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
I'm fine with DM rolling initiative.

Narse steps forward and pulls his axes.

Move 1sq ne. Ready vs. approach. Will attack anything that gets within range.

main 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
off hand 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

ROUND 1 SUMMARY

Maysalkirii summons a blade of spiritual energy, but just misses with his attack.
Narses prepares to strike the beast as it approaches, but cannot attack due to the creature's superior reach.
Adele inspires her compatriots with a rousing song.
Dragox brings a blessing down on the party.
Findor strikes the great beast with an arrow.
--------------------
Elder Cryohydra (3 damage)
Bite 1 on Narses, Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18, Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Bite 2 on Narses, Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25, Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Bite 3 on Findor, Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13, Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Bite 4 on Findor, Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22, Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Breath Weapon on Findor and Narses, 4d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 2) = 6 cold damage, Reflex DC 18 for half damage (Wow, you guys are lucky.)
--------------------
As the hydra approaches, you see the wound from Findor's arrow close slightly. In a flash, it reaches out, biting with four of its heads and breathing a deadly cone of frost with the fifth head.

ROUND 2 MAP

Initiative
Maysalkirii 27
Dragox 24
Narses 23
Elder Cryohydra 17
Adele 11
Findor 4

Reflex save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

AC goes up to 26 this round, then 28 with SoF.

Spiritual Weapon 2/5 at the end of this round.
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 Spiritual Weapon
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 Damage

Stepping back carefully, Maysalkirii calls upon Cayden's power to boost his defences via Shield of Faith.

Try and lure the beast to land, the advantage is the beast's while its in the water! Maysalkirii shouts as he moves west.

Move me 4 squares north and two squares west with my move action please.

Any chance either the characters that cast them or the DM can track active effects like Prayer and IC?

"It heals like a troll," Adele calls between verses. "Once it is beheaded, it takes fire or acid to prevent its heads from regenerating."

Inspire Courage: +2 to attack & damage

DM, looks like you switched Findor's & Dragox's initiatives. Since Adele and Dragox sang & cast at the end of round 1, everyone has a +3 to attack & damage and +1 to saves & skill checks in round 2.

1. I'm going to suggest that players post their active spell effects in their posts.

2. Thanks for pointing out the discrepancy in initiative rolls. I will fix that next round.

Reflex Save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15+1=16

Hearing Adele's words between her verses, and noticing Feek's frantic little body rushing to the grassy knoll, Findor nods and backs away from the creature, activating total defense, and following Feek onto the grass. moving four spaces west and one space to the northwest.

33/39 hp

"Com'on beasty." Narses calles as he moves ashore, trying to lure the hydra after him.

Move 5s w& 1 sq nw. Going total defence.
AC 24

I've seen the updated Inquisitor stuff now, how much leeway do I have on changing a few of my spells known? AC is 28 and remains at 28 until I switch judgements as Protection gives a flat +2 at my level.

Dragox moves forward until the monster was within 15' of him, again asking Saranrae's assistance in helping dispatch the creature.

Cast Burning Hands domain spell. DC is 15.

Fire Damage 5d4 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 3, 2) = 13

Dragox moves forward until the monster was within 15' of him, again asking Saranrae's assistance in helping dispatch the creature.

Cast Burning Hands domain spell.

Fire Damage 5d4

Lol back everyone! As Dragox moves forward and unleashes holy fire :D.

More like a holy spark than a holy flame! Bet it comes to get us next round though...

More like a holy spark than a holy flame! Bet it comes to get us next round though...

It has 15" reach, so its not going to move anywhere as you ran to it to feed it. I was hoping to draw it onto the bank or bridge where we can actually melee it...

Depends on how much it really hates fire!

"Com'on beasty." Narses calles as he moves ashore, trying to lure the hydra after him.

Move 5s w& 1 sq nw. Going total defence.
AC 24

Um, Narses, unless your intent was to push him over, you've just moved the same route Findor did and ended up in the exact same space.

Sorry about the wait, guys. Really busy day at work. I will get a post up this evening.

Um, Narses, unless your intent was to push me over, you've just moved the same route Findor did and ended up in the exact same space.

No, sorry. Make that 5sq west and total defence.

ROUND 2 SUMMARY

Maysalkirii moves to a safer position and attempts to strike again with his spiritual weapon, but misses.
Narses moves to a safer position.
Adele moves to a safer position and continues her inspiring song.
Dragox moves forward and spurts holy flames toward the great beast.
Findor moves to a safer position.
--------------------
Elder Cryohydra (24 damage)
Bite 1 on Dragox, Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15, Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Bite 2 on Dragox, Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25, Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Bite 3 on Dragox, Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29, Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Critical Confirmation, 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Bite 4 on Dragox, Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19, Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Breath Weapon on Dragox, 4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 1, 6) = 14 cold damage, Reflex DC 18 for half damage
--------------------
The hydra hisses in pain as the flames sear its hide. It does, however, find a ready target in Dragox to vent its anger.

ROUND 3 MAP

Initiative
Maysalkirii 27
Findor 24
Narses 23
Elder Cryohydra 17
Adele 11
Dragox 4

Findor lowers his quiver of arrows and reaches for his spell component pouch to cast flame arrow ASF 1d100 ⇒ 7.

The weight of the armor suddenly catches his wrist, pulling it down at just the wrong moment in his spell casting. With some concern, Findor watches the spell energy dissipate without the desired effect.

Seething in frustration as Dragox thwarts his efforts to get the Hydra onto land, Maysalkirii begins to spout obscenities, cursing in Draconic. His spiritual rapier continues to attack-

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Force damage, ignores DR.
3/5 rounds used.

Maysalkirii stubbornly waits, hoping Dragox will see sense and casts Divine Favor on himself in preparation for melee. He backs away a little as well.

0/10 rounds used of divine favor, move me one square west with a 5 foot step too please.

DM do you mind if I do a little rebuilding of Maysalkirii r.e. spells now the APG is out? After this combat of course.

Reflex save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Dragox goes down with a thud, after being torn up by the creature.

DM, did you take off 1 for the damage done by each of the attacks per the prayer spell? If not, I am at a smooth -8 HP. If so, I will have a copule more!

Sorry for the interruption. Been keeping up with this one. Dragox, I only count 30 points of damage. You saved vs breath (you also forgot your +1 from prayer by the way) and you have evasion.

I looked back and couldn't find where you had been hurt before this battle so all I can guess is you were maxed out at 49 hit points.

Again, totally sorry for the interruption, and if I've missed something then this is my bad.

But if I'm right.....RUN! DRAGOX! RUN! ;)

Thank you Javell...I am indeed a doofus. I forgot evasion, so Dragox is still standing, barely! My fault.

"Get out of there Dragox! Try to get the beast ashore!" Narses screams at Dagox as he steps back pulling his crossbow and loading it.

5' step sw, pull crossbow in move and load the thing.

"Dragox!" Adele screams, as she sees him viciously attacked. Quickly judging the distance between herself and the monster, she takes a step back from the water moving 1 square west and, still singing, closes her eyes and silently beseeches Shelyn for aid for her friend.

Channel Positive Energy (if I'm counting squares right, it should get everyone in our party and miss the hydra) 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 3) = 7

Dragox, if you are still on your feet, do you wish to move this round? (I would really, really suggest it).

Haha, DM, yes, I would very very much like to move away. His clever plan to make the beast angry and draw him closer was not so clever, it seems.

Dragox, feeling the effects of the massive attacks administered to him by the creature, withdraws hoping to heal himsef before re-engaging the monster.

He will move the full 80' back and away, in the same direction as the rest of the party.

Hooray! :)

Guys, my work computer got eaten by some virus thing yesterday, so I will be out most of today. Have Dragox spontaneously change the third level spell Dispel Magic into a healing spell when his turn comes up, so I won't slow anything down.

ROUND 3 SUMMARY

Maysalkirii, go ahead and do some character surgery. When you are finished, please summarize the changes in a post.

Dragox, I only moved you back 60 feet, since 80 feet would take you off of the map.

Maysalkirii strikes out with his spiritual weapon, finally making contact.
Narses draws and loads his crossbow.
Adele interrupts her song to channel healing energies into the party.
Dragox moves to safety, severely wounded.
Findor attempts to cast a spell. The arcane energies fizzle as his armor impedes the casting.
--------------------
Elder Cryohydra (21 damage)
Bite 1 on Findor, Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13, Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Bite 2 on Findor, Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23, Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Bite 3 on Narses, Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25, Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Bite 4 on Adele, Attack 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22, Damage 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Breath Weapon on Adele, Narses, Findor, 4d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 6) = 10 cold damage, Reflex DC 18 for half damage
--------------------
The hydra pulls itself out of the large creek and sloshes onto the shore. It snaps out and fumes its chilling breath. Its wounds continue to heal.

ROUND 4 MAP

Initiative
Maysalkirii 27
Findor 24
Narses 23
Elder Cryohydra 17
Adele 11
Dragox 4

ROUND 3 SUMMARY

Maysalkirii, go ahead and do some character surgery. When you are finished, please summarize the changes in a post.

I'll do it after this combat if thats ok. I have the changes all ready to apply and will post them all once the combat's over.

Active Effects-
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Ignores DR
4/5 rounds used of Spiritual Weapon.
1/10 rounds used of Divine Favor.
1/5 rounds used of Bane.

Maysalkirii whispers a prayer to Cayden Cailean as Ilyandrosa glows a dark red colour, and leaps into action, diving to avoid the snapping jaws as he closes and strikes.

Actions- Apply Magical Beast Bane to Ilyandrosa, move 4 squares west and one square south while using Acrobatics to avoid AOO. Then stab out with Ilyandrosa.

1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28 Acrobatics check to avoid AOO.

1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27 Attack rolls and damage includes all relevant modifiers (Power Attacking).
1d6 + 11 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 11 + (4, 3) = 20 Damage

As soon as someone gets into a flank with me and I get to full attack this thing's going down ;). AC is 28 DM.

reflex 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Smarting from the bite and blistering from the frost burn Narses's world takes on a redish hue as anger wells up from deep within him.
Dropping his crossbow Narses steps up to the Hydra with a "Rrraaaarrgh!" pulling his axes in the proccess and choping away with abandon.

Drop bow, 5'step up to hydra, draw weapons in move, rage-power-full-attack.

main 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29, 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
off 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16, 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

critt confirm on main hand 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18, 2d8 + 24 ⇒ (2, 5) + 24 = 31

28/39 hp

Reflex 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

18/39 hp

Findor drops his bow to the ground and draws Calanharel, the weapon glows for a moment as he channels a spell through it. casting enlarge person. Findor suddenly grows to twice his height, taking up double space.

Str 16, Dex 18, AC 18, Face 10', Reach 10', Weapon Dmg 2d6