Rev's Rune Stones

Game Master Rev Rosey

Vel draws up to halt, and watches Baldrech's signals. She knows this is not her area of expertise.

Stealth (1d20 1=13)

Kia halts and assess their position. She tries to maintain a central position within the party so that everyone can benefit from her expertise, should the need arise.

More stealth. (1d20 4=21)

She stays still watching Baldrich, waiting to see if he has any more information.

Gobi stops with Anarak and looks around for possible ambushes as well

Stealth (1d20 3=11)

Perception (1d20 3=6)

Whiteclaw drops into a little crouch, next to some cover if possible and keeps an eye out behind us, her weapon at the ready.

Whiteclaw Stealth (second roll): (1d20=18)

Easing your way through the undergrowth, you can now all just see the clearing Baldrech spoke of. The voices are closer too.

Baldrech's perception check: (1d20 7=20)

Baldrech's stealth check: (1d20 7=12)

Baldrech's Nature check: (1d20 7=23)

Baldrech's Dungeoneering check: (1d20 2=6)

Baldrech scouts quickly ahead and returns to report to the party, in his concern moving with less than his usual confidence.

He tells you that he has spotted a group of six kobolds accompanying a lizard dragging a large rock. They are armed with spears and commanded by a grey, bearded creature that he can't identify carrying a crossbow and a warhammer.

To his experienced eye, the lizard looks extremely dangerous, fanged and angry. Although they haven't spotted you yet, they are all on the alert.

"If we can't creep past them, we should take the advantage and ambush them. If the lizard is tied to a rock, he won't be able to do that much, will he? And it might be one of the stones and, if so, we really want it to stay where it is."

All

Initiative (1d20 5=21)

Not clear on whether Vel's seen the bad guys. If not:

Vel moves her mouth silently, and the sound of something large and metallic scraping on stone is heard from the east.

If she can see them:

Vel makes a tossing gesture with her right hand, and a red spark flashes within the glass orb in her left, and the creatures in the clearing suddenly seem lethargic.

Ok, so it looks like in a suprise round, we have the choice between a move, standard or minor action. So, I'll just move to G8 by moving behind the little stand of trees, using it as cover, though at the end I think I'd be visable to them.

Whiteclaw hears the report and the gnoll starts to move. She keeps trees between the kobolds and herself as she shifts into a better position for any attack we might make.

Don't forget that everybody gets +2 from Kia because she is a warlord

Kia will wait to see what develops with the rest of the party. I also need to know what order things are happening in in case I can help somebody with a frinedly word

Initiative: (1d20 4=15)

Don't forget that everybody gets +2 from Kia because she is a warlord

Dang, I did forget -- Init 23

Ok, so it looks like in a suprise round, we have the choice between a move, standard or minor action. So, I'll just move to G8 by moving behind the little stand of trees, using it as cover, though at the end I think I'd be visable to them.

Just an fyi. You do still have the option to move and attack as a single action. It's still called a Charge but gives +1 to hit instead of +2. Also, you no longer take the -2 AC penalty that you did in 3.5. (PHB 287)

btw great map, Rev!

Initiative: 1d20+2 = 19

Anarak is wary to lead an attack without first knowing if these lizard-folk are enemies. If anything, they seem less openly hostile than the fish people, and his reaction to them was frowned upon.

I feel like I need to know who goes before me and what they do before I commit to an action. Also, I'd like to know which of the two actions Vel is taking and what effect it has. So I'll wait until I see Baldrech, Whiteclaw, and Gobi's initiative rolls, and the results of Vel's action before posting for Anarak. Hope that's ok. To give an idea though, if the party has launched any overt offensive, Anarak will ferociously leap into battle. Otherwise, he will most likely delay his initiative.

Initiative (1d20 2=4)

Awesome

The map is courtesy of FabesMinis' extensive back collection of stuff, and despite coming from another adventure entirely, is perfect for this. You don't want to know the printing/scanning/editing traumas that went into getting it up there!

I'll sort out Baldrech and Whiteclaw shortly, but won't be updating the encounter until a bit later today as we have a face to face game to play. Please bear with me, this could get fiddly.

Whiteclaw's Init roll (inc 2 from Kia): (1d20 4=6)

Baldrech's Init roll (inc 2 from Kia): (1d20 5=19)

Init order is thus:

Vel 23
Baldrech 19
Anarak 19
Kia 15
Whiteclaw 6
Gobi 4

Vel cannot see clearly enough to cast her spell through the trees without exposing herself. I'm ruling she's taking option A (Ghost Sound).

Vel cannot see clearly enough to cast her spell through the trees without exposing herself. I'm ruling she's taking option A (Ghost Sound).

Ok. Can Anarak catch glimpses of the kobolds from where he's standing?

Anarak jumps slightly when he hears Vel's spell go off and tries to peer through the foliage to catch a glimpse of the kobold reaction. Is it obvious to him that the sound was Vel's doing?

He crouches slightly into a stance and composes himself. Ready to spring into action at a moment's notice, he looks at Baldrech to try and gauge the level of danger.

Anarak will follow Baldrech's lead here. If the wolf-man continues to watch and wait, Anarak will do the same. If he moves forward, Anarak will follow, paying close attention to any hand signals.

Just an fyi. You do still have the option to move and attack as a single action. It's still called a Charge but gives +1 to hit instead of +2. Also, you no longer take the -2 AC penalty that you did in 3.5. (PHB 287)

Yeah, I know how charge works in 4E. Whiteclaw's half built around it, since the gnoll racial power is Ferocious Charge, an encounter power that adds +2 damage to a charge (and that increases at 11 and 21), and I took Powerful Charge as a feat, which gives +2 more damage, and +2 on bull rushes. So, on a charge, I have +1 to hit and +4 damage if I use the encounter power.:)

Yeah, I know how charge works in 4E. Whiteclaw's half built around it, since the gnoll racial power is Ferocious Charge, an encounter power that adds +2 damage to a charge (and that increases at 11 and 21), and I took Powerful Charge as a feat, which gives +2 more damage, and +2 on bull rushes. So, on a charge, I have +1 to hit and +4 damage if I use the encounter power.:)

Cool, remind me never to stand in your way!

Just as a fyi, I'm happy for you all to post in any order with either/or options or I can see us being stuck in this copse for weeks. I'll try and patch things together at the end of each round and if I make a total Horlicks of it, you can tell me ... fair?

Please note, the terrain counts as difficult if it's marked. So your moves will be shorter (sigh - I know, way to make life more difficult for myself and you).

Vel releases her spell and the metallic clanging sound instantly alerts the kobolds and their leader.

Baldrech moves to D12 readying his shortbow. He'll aim at Kobold 1.
Baldrech surprise round shortbow shot (includes 1 for Prime Shot): (1d20 6=14, 1d8 3=9). His arrow skims over the kobold's shoulder making it squeal in surprise.

Anarak has an obstructed view unless he moves.

Whiteclaw's move is subtle, but the end of it brings her into sight of the kobold front line.

"It's a ambush, move!" snaps the leader.

He starts to pull at the harness holding the lizard to the rock. Startled by the sudden appearance of the gnoll, the arrow and Vel's magic, kobolds 3 and 4 look towards the sound, kobolds 1 and 2 in Baldrech's direction and kobolds 5 and 6 at Whiteclaw.

I need to know what Kia and Gobi would like to do.

Gobi moves to D10 and readies himself for combat, pulling out his hammer and shield.

Please note, the terrain counts as difficult if it's marked. So your moves will be shorter (sigh - I know, way to make life more difficult for myself and you).

Does it still count as difficult terrain if we're moving along the trail?

Surprise Round:
Anarak already has his weapon drawn, so he advances menacingly along the trail to F12.

He'll then use an action point and CHARGE! to H15 (path: F12-G13-G14-H15), swinging his mighty axe at puny kobold #2.

Charge k2: 1d20+8 = 19
Damage: 1d12+4 = 14

If the kobold survives, he is now marked.

That was all assuming the trail does not count as difficult terrain. If it does, he'll only be able to move to C10. Since he won't be in range to charge, he'll save the action point and wait there for his next opportunity.

Yup. Trail is difficult. It's very overgrown, lots of brambles. Once you hit a square with no markings (other than opponents), it's been trampled down an counts as normal.

There's not much Kia can do until the parties close on each other so she will move to C12 so she has some cover from the trees but is still in a position to be useful.

She readies her crossbow in case she has a chance to use it.

Thanks for running Baldrech on my behalf, DM, you played him just as I would have.

Baldrech keeps keeps his sights trained on the nearest kobold as he knocks another arrow. He also takes a quick glance at the stone, trying to determine whether it bears the markings that might identify it as one of the stones the party is searching for (d20 + 7 = 21 http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1687603/).

"Drop your weapons and your miserable lives will be spared -- that was just a warning shot," growls the surly shifter. Baldrech readies another ranged attack against kobold #1 - if he should make a threatening move, either by using a ranged weapon or advancing toward the party, Baldrech will loose an arrow at his target. d20 + 6 = 14; damage: 1d8+3 = 8 http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1687607/.

Yup. Trail is difficult. It's very overgrown, lots of brambles. Once you hit a square with no markings (other than opponents), it's been trampled down an counts as normal.

In that case, Anarak advances to C10, silently cursing the party members who blew their cover before the kobolds were in range of his weapon. As he steps carefully through the brambles, he pulls out a hand axe, shifting his great axe to his left hand.

Baldrech - you're welcome and it's good to have you back

Will be updating map as soon as possible. Just trying to find an easier way to do it.

Round 1 Map

Be warned this is small. The next one will be larger.

As you break cover, you see a group of six kobolds. Two are armed with slings (K3 and K5), two with spears (K1 and K4) and two with javelins(K2 and K6).

As they move you can see a large, vicious looking lizard harnessed to an eight foot long stone carved with runes. You conclude that this is one of the stones you're hunting for.

Hastily slashing through the harness is a stumpy, grey-skinned, bearded figure. He turns fierce amber eyes on Baldrech and snarls in heavily accented common

"Surrender yourselves or just die horribly."

It's clear from the squealing of the kobolds, that they're more frightened of him than they are of any of you, even though you present a formidable enough sight.

Obviously terrified, but caught between two evils, Kobolds 1 and 2 advance on Baldrech, who looses his arrow. Once again it flies past the scaly armoured shoulder. Kobold 2 hurls a javelin at the shifter, but he deftly uses his cover advantage to evade the weapon.

Kobold 5 hisses and hurls a small clay pot at Whiteclaw. The gnoll reels back as the pot hits her and breaks open, setting her fur aflame.
Going for Whiteclaw with firepot (1d20 6=21).
Greasy flame sticks to Whiteclaw and stings unbearably.
Firepot damage 2 ongoing fire damage (save ends): (1d6 3=9)

Kobold 6 attempts to catch the wounded gnoll with a javelin, but mistimes the throw as it narrowly passes over her head.

Kobold 3 chortles evilly as he launches an identical pot at Gobi, and also hitting soundly.
Kobold 3 attack on Gobi (firepot, ongoing damage 2 (save ends): (1d20 6=21, 1d6 3=9)

Init order with known actions so far

Vel 23
Druergar leader 20 - unharnessing lizard and shouting abuse
Baldrech 19 - fired at Kobold 1
Anarak 19 - readied with hand axe and great axe
Kia 15 - crossbow ready
Kobold crew - K1 moving to Baldrech, K2 moves and misses javelin throw at Baldrech, K5 firepot at Whiteclaw, K3 firepot at Gobi, K4 checks Vel's noise to see if more attacks are coming from that direction, K6 throws javelin at Whiteclaw and misses.
Whiteclaw 6 - taken 9 damage with 2 ongoing fire damage until save.
Gobi 4[ooc]- taken 9 damage with 2 ongoing fire damage until save.

I don't see that Anarak can get to K3 or K5 before they shoot their firepots. Kia has chance to take one of them down if she wants to try it and Vel has options up her sleeves.

Battle is well and truly joined.

Vel moves to a better vantage (D11) and casts her spell before the enemies spread out.

Vel moves to a better vantage (D11) and casts her spell before the enemies spread out.

** spoiler omitted **

Sleep centered on J16, catching all of them. Atk vs. Will, k1-k6, L, D (1d20 4=23, 1d20 4=21, 1d20 4=19, 1d20 4=10, 1d20 4=12, 1d20 4=15, 1d20 4=13, 1d20 4=16) -- hit means creature is slowed, save ends. Failing first save means creature is unconscous, save ends. Miss means creature is just slowed, save ends. Also, using Orb of Imposition on D, giving it a -2 to the saves.

Kobold 1 - slowed, rolled a save

Saves for the ambush party against Vel's awesomely effective sleep spell ... grrrr: (1d20=2, 1d20=4, 1d20=18, 1d20=15, 1d20=20, 1d20=7, 1d20=13, 1d20=3)

Vel's successful spell casting brings a slight smile of satisfaction to her gaunt face as she watches the ambush party slow to a crawl, fighting the arcane lethargy which seems to have overtaken them.

Moving like sleepwalkers, the two slingers drop to the ground after firing their devastating shots at Gobi and Whiteclaw, joined in unconsciousness by the spear wielding kobold who had gone to look at the source of the noise.

The Druergar screams defiance at the skies as his fighters tumble and his hand goes to his beard.

As a result of last round's delayed action, in the next round I will act on 15, just before the kobold crew... correct? By the way, did Baldrech notice any markings/symbols on the stone?

I think Anarak should be at C10 instead of B12.

Anarak acts before the kobold's fire, but after Vel's spell goes off. He takes a double move into the open at H13. He drops his hand axe at his feet in order to properly ready his great axe.

I'm not sure if this action would alter any of the kobold's plans. They might have shot fire at Anarak instead, and K1/K2 might have moved to different squares. Based on the current configuration, Anarak is in position to take an opportunity attack against K1 if he does anything stupid. DM can roll for me in that case. (1d20+8 vs AC, 1d12+4)

It sounds like Vel is probably going to cast Scorching Burst. I kind of need to know the results of that, and what the Duergar and Lizard do before posting my Round 2 action. It may involve an area effect.

"Surrender yourselves or just die horribly."

"I choose to die horribly, though I doubt that will happen at your hands."

This is the round 1 action. I really need to know where people are when it's my turn so I know how best to act, so please forgive me if I delay posting.

Since Kia already has her crossbow ready, she will fire at kobold 1 after moving to E9.

Fire with crossbow; damage (1d20 4=17, 1d6=3)

"That wasn't bad" She thinks as she stows her crossbow and takes out her longsword. (It is better to point with).

Her next round action very much depends on where people are at the start.

Anarak has raised an issue on the discussion thread about posting out of order. I think we need to discuss and resolve this one before things get any more complicated!

So ... I'll post a summary of the action to the end of Round 1 as I know it - pending Whiteclaw and Gobi's responses. I'll update the map to get you all to where you reckon you are. If I'm wrong about anything, I'll correct it.

One thing I am wrong about is Baldrech's attacks. He should have had a +2 to both of those since the kobold's hadn't acted. Therefore Kobold 1 has been injured and I will take account of this in the summary.

Then I'll post init order for Round 2 and we'll go from there.

Sorry for the confusion. I realise that for many of you, your powers are very dependant on the moves of other party members and should have taken more account of that.

Sorry for the confusion. I realise that for many of you, your powers are very dependant on the moves of other party members and should have taken more account of that.

Comments posted over there before I saw this -- I've GMed both 3.5 and 4E PBPs, and 4E is a lot harder to PBP, because the characters are much more interactive in a fight.

Gobi shrieks from the flames and stumbles forward to f9, attempting to slap out the flames on himself.

1d20=14

Whiteclaw howls as her fur lights afire, but it doesn't stop her from moving up on the kobolds, her flail swinging around in an arc.

I move up on K1 and use Tide of Iron. If I hit, I shift the kobold into H15 and enter his square, and he's marked.

Copied from Discussion thread for ease.
I will also (again nicking a Pat idea) be posting general special abilities you all need to be aware of and map links in the DM profile.

I'd like to adopt the Pat O'the Ninth Power combat block system.

For this combat the order will work like this:

Starting map

Block 1
Vel
Druergar
Lizard

map update if needed

Block 2
Anarak
Kia
Baldrech

map update if needed

Block 3
Kobold crew
Whiteclaw
Gobi

map update, summary, end of round

If you don't post an action within 24 hours of your block call coming up, I'll take an educated guess on your behalf. This will be conservative rather than spectacular.

Updated map for start of Round 2 in this profile

Please note that all attackers are slowed (they can only move 2 squares).
Kobolds 3, 4 and 5 are unconscious. (On sides on map)
Kobold 1 is bloodied (underlined on map)
All the others need to make further saves to stop being slowed.

End of Round 1 summary

Block 1

Vel - her sleep spell has slowed all the enemy.
Druergar - very cross indeed, slowed, but has nearly unharnessed the lizard
Lizard - still harnessed and slowed.

Block 2

Anarak - has taken 12HP out of Kobold 1
Anarak's attack on Kobold 1: (1d20 8=22, 1d12 4=12)

Kia - taken 3HP out of Kobold 1 and drawn longsword
Baldrech - taken 9HP out of Kobold 1

Block 3

Kobold 1 - is bloodied (taken 24HP damage), has spear, slowed.
Kobold 2 - untouched, has javelin, slowed.
Kobold 3 - launched successful firepot at Gobi, but is now unconscious
Kobold 4 - did nothing at all and is unconscious
Kobold 5 - launched successful firepot at Whiteclaw, but is now unconscious
Kobold 6 - untouched, has spear, slowed

Whiteclaw - taken 9HP damage and has failed save against fire damage, attacked and missed Kobold 1 - so no shift
Whiteclaw's Tide of Iron attack on Kobold 1: (1d20 6=13, 1d10 3=11)
Save v ongoing fire damage (take 2 damage on fail): (1d20=20) (Times when you do not want a natural 20 are few and far between. That's quite historic)

Gobi - taken 9HP damage and has failed save against ongoing fire damage.

I assume Gobi and Whiteclaw take the extra 2HP damage after they fail the save, but it could be at the start of their next turn. I am unclear on this, but will check.

I think this is all correct and up to date.

Block 1 - Vel, Druergar and Lizard are up.

Vel moves for position, then stares at the duergar and lizard. She reaches out and opens her right hand, and a column of golden flames erupts from the ground.

The scorching flames engulf the kobold (K5) and the lizard who writhe in agony at the unexpected horror coming from the ground.

The duergar merely smiles evilly, cuts the remaining harness and pulls a handful of quills from his beard.

"I drink fire as I shall drink your life-blood human fool."

Then he vanishes.

Released from the harness, the lizard howls in mingled rage and pain and lumbers towards Anarak, trying to grab the dragonborn.(Lizard to I15)

Saves for slowing for Duergar and Lizard
1d20=9, 1d20=16
Duergar has saved, Lizard has not

Block 2
Anarak
Kia
Baldrech

Map to follow

Released from the harness, the lizard howls in mingled rage and pain and lumbers towards Anarak, trying to grab the dragonborn.(Lizard to I15)

Was that an actual attack, or just the foreshadowing of one? I'm up next, sweet!

Flavour text. It just wants to take chunks out of you, but isn't there yet.

In her most imperious voice, Kia shouts at Whiteclaw to give the kobold at K1 a serious bash. Then move to H10 to help round up the unconscious kobolds, or at least give them grief if they decide to wake up.

"Go on Whitclaw, finish off that stupid kobold. It's no less than it deserves."

Whiteclaw can now do a basic melee attack at an extra +3 (total +9, I make it) doing an extra 3 damage (total 1d10+6, I make it).

This is assuming that Anarak hasn't already finished K1 off before it is Kia's turn. In which case, I will see what the lie of the land is and post some other actions.

Gobi and Whiteclaw - Please note that you are no longer on fire. I managed to mis-read both rolls because I'm an idiot. 9hp off each of you, but that's the lot. At the moment.

Whiteclaw can now do a basic melee attack at an extra +3 (total +9, I make it) doing an extra 3 damage (total 1d10+6, I make it).

Kia, Rev:

Kia Rubarka wrote:

Whiteclaw can now do a basic melee attack at an extra +3 (total +9, I make it) doing an extra 3 damage (total 1d10+6, I make it).

Kia, Rev: ** spoiler omitted **

You are absolutely right. Despite all my efforts, I still misread it. It's only +6 to the attack roll.

I don't have my PHB with me, so I might need some DM help with this one. I wanted to post now to keep the action going, but I'm not 100% sure of some rules.

Minor Action: Encounter Power - Breath Weapon
Anarak lets out a mighty roar as a blast of cackling electricity shoots out of his mouth and engulfs his enemies.

The intention is to hit K1, K2, L, and possibly the invisible Duergar. If there's a way to hit K5 by shifting, great, but I don't think so. I definitely want to avoid hitting the gnoll. I think I have to make separate attack rolls against each target, but only one damage roll.
Breath vs K1: 1d20+6 = 10
Breath vs K2: 1d20+6 = 8
Breath vs L: 1d20+6 = 10
Breath vs D: 1d20+6 = 22 (if necessary)
Breath vs K5: 1d20+6 = 17 (if necessary)
Damage: 1d6+3 = 8
Do they have a penalty to Reflex for being slowed?

Standard Action: Encounter Power - Passing Attack
Assuming my Breath Weapon missed and that K1 is still alive, I'll make a Passing attack, targeting K1 and then following through to attack the Lizard. If K1 is dead, I'll shift first and then target K2 and L.
Passing Attack on K1/K2: 1d20+7 = 8 (Natural 1 - Boo!)

Move Action: Shift?
I can't see any reason to move at the moment, but if I haven't already used my Move Action to shift, and it would help someone else to get flanking or manoeuvre (Kia? Whiteclaw?), you can assume they call out some instruction and move me wherever they want, with preference given to staying next to K1 in order to get an opportunity attack if he does something stupid - he's marked.

Wow, that was long and complicated for very little effect. Not my best rolling today.

Baldrech looses another arrow at kobold 6.

d20 + 5 = 15; damage: d8+3 = 9. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1689343/.