Rise of the Runelords

Game Master Upaynao

I move up to the front lines and stand there with my shield raised in front of myself.

Double Move to get into position.

Andrezi steps back away from the goblins and fires his crossbow.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 4 - 4 = 6 (firing into melee, squeezed?)
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

A bit enthusiastic, aren't we? lol
Kiera sends a bolt of acid into the fight, but it misses the blue goblin and sizzles against the brambles.

The blue dog is unable to reach the companions, and so Daelric hustles up to join the fight while Andrezi fades back, firing his crossbow which also goes into the bushes. Squeezed yes, firing into melee no. You had a clear shot at the gob in front of you.

Bold May Post
Red Dog
Red Goblin
Blue Goblin
Kiera
Blue Dog
Daelric
Andrezi
Volkar

Volkar stepped forward and swung at the rat dog as it came at his companions.

As long as you are within the tunnels, you will remain squeezed. However, there is light at the end.. literally! You are almost through with these blasted thorns!

Volkar swings and misses, but he is anchoring the line preventing the goblins from spreading out.

The red dog howls and slavers, trying to get through the press while the two goblins up front keep swinging. The one in front of Volkar goes wide, but Daelrics goblin has had some practice and sinks his sword into a chink in Daelrics armor.
RvV: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
BvD: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Confirm?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Damage: 2d4 - 1 ⇒ (4, 2) - 1 = 5

Bold May Post
Red Dog
Red Goblin
Blue Goblin
Kiera
Blue Dog
Daelric- 5 Dmg
Andrezi
Volkar

Andrezi taps Daelric on the shoulder again granting him a bit of luck.

I grimace as the Goblins blade finds an exposed area and slices into my stomach, the blood starting to pour out but my clothing and armour holding it at bay. I raise my own weapon and try to return the favour to the critter.

War-Axe Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 4 + 1 = 17
War-Axe Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 4 + 1 = 16 (Bit of Luck)
War-Axe Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Minimum damage?! Damn! Oh ... DD did you remember that I have Light Fortification now? That means you need to do a D100 roll and if the result is 1-25 then the attack was an ordinary one.

Volkar swung his ax back at the beasts attacking him and Daelric.

His swing got snagged by the cramped quarters sending the ax in a different direction than where he intended.

Sorry, guys. I was out with a migraine yesterday, and am only barely functional today.

Daelric, No I did not know that. I remember seeing that, but forgot to look it up to see exactly what it was. Another dm screwball: 1d100 ⇒ 17 Just dropping the second die roll from the origional damage. Thank you!

At the last moment, Daelric manages to turn aside and the goblins blade just barely scrapes by!

Andrezi imparts more luck to Daelric, who nearly chops down his goblin.
Volkar takes out more of the shrubbery.

Bold May Post
Red Dog
Red Goblin
Blue Goblin- 4 Dmg
Kiera
Blue Dog
Daelric- 3 Dmg
Andrezi
Volkar

Kiera continues launching bolts of acid.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (14) - 5 = 9

I was really hoping you would knock that last point off of blue!

The goblin dog continues to snarl and snap at the goblins in front of it.

Bold May Post
Red Dog
Red Goblin
Blue Goblin- 4 Dmg
Kiera
Blue Dog
Daelric- 3 Dmg
Andrezi
Volkar

I actually was wrong, I should be at -9. Basically with squeezing, firing into melee, firing past cover, I can't hit anything unless I get a natural 20.

ouch. Good news is that the damnable squeeze is going to go away here very shortly. Just after this battle, you will be out of the tunnels and things will be back to normal. Also, I don't know if yall have noticed, but I really do think that this part is way too much combat with way too many negatives against the party. With that in mind, I have been using your full AC's instead of the negatives you are supposed to take.

They did the same thing in Kingmaker, with an early underground encounter where all the tunnels are sized for Small characters so if the party doesn't have a front-line halfling or gnome you're basically screwed. It's not the best game design because it's a very, very big penalty for something that you can't mitigate with your choices or good use of your abilities.

That's pretty much my thinking. I didn't know this was a running theme though. When preparing this fight, I was looking over everything thinking "Holy CRAP that sucks.. I can't do that to them!!!" Unfortunately, this fight has been everything that I feared it would be, even with my best intentions. Unfortunately, I have been able to think of nothing that would help out either.

Volkar swung his ax at the gibbering green skin in front of him.

But, his ax again went wide and missed its mark.

"I am growing tired of this place and you yellow teethed nightmares." Volkar growled.

Paizo seems to have eaten my post from yesterday.

I swing my axe yet again, hoping to fell the Goblin before me.

War-Axe Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 4 + 1 = 16
War-Axe Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Andrezi, unsure of what use he can be without completely depleting his powers, waits by with his curative wand in hand ready to heal a companion if need be.

Ready a CLW if either of the dwarf's damage reaches greater than 8.

Volkar continues to fan air at his goblin, as it swelters within the confines of the cramped tunnels. Appreciative, it winks back at the scandalized dwarf..

Daelric, on the other hand.. splits the chest of the already injured goblin with his ax.

Quicker on its feet than the other dog, the red tinged creature leaps over the body of its fallen master and bites at Daelric. Luckily for the swarf, the pestilential beast cant get its teeth around the shield!
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

After winking at the Volkar, the red goblin resumes his attacks. His heart must be turning more towards the amorous side, though, as his swing comes no closer than Volkars..
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Bold May Post
Red Dog
Red Goblin
Kiera
Blue Dog
Daelric- 3 Dmg
Andrezi
Volkar

Kiera continues her hapless spray of acid.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 - 9 ⇒ (9) - 9 = 0

The cramped confines continue to stifle both Keira and the Blue Dog.

Bold May Post
Red Dog
Red Goblin
Kiera
Blue Dog
Daelric- 3 Dmg
Andrezi
Volkar

Before I can get a moments rest after the slaying of the Goblin, one of the hounds jumps into it's space and decides to make me it's dinner. I manage to bring my shield up in time, but my axe attack is thrown off by the sudden movement as I swing at it in retaliation.

War-Axe Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 4 + 1 = 11

Volkar lashed out at the green skin in front of him with the war ax.

Yet, the cramped quarters hindered his swing again and Volkar growled in frustration.

Sorry, had to travel for the wifes dr appointments, and things did not go as we had hoped they would.. that took higher priority.

Both dwarves fail to hit their marks, leaving the goblin and dogs thirsting for blood!

Bold May Post
Red Dog
Red Goblin
Kiera
Blue Dog
Daelric- 3 Dmg
Andrezi
Volkar

Hope all is well with Andrezi..

The goblin and goblin dog continue to press their attacks, but are unable to land any blows.
GvsV: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
DvsD: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Bold May Post
Red Dog
Red Goblin
Kiera
Blue Dog
Daelric- 3 Dmg
Andrezi x2
Volkar

Sorry, still here. Maintaining the readied action from before. Ready a CLW if either of the dwarf's damage reaches greater than 8.

Unable to do much effectively with the goblins or dogs, Andrezi continues to standby, curative wand at the ready if need be.

I try yet again to end the fight with this dog, by bringing my axe up and trying to slash at it's neck.

War-Axe Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 4 + 1 = 14
War-Axe Damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Hopefully that will hit at least. I get a +1 to both Attack and Damage against Goblins, but I am pretty sure I don't get them against Goblin Dogs (but unsure). I haven't included the +1 in the rolls.

Kiera tries another blast of acid, but fails to hit her mark.
Acid: 1d20 - 9 ⇒ (17) - 9 = 8

Andrezi stands by, waiting to heal his companions if needed, while Daelric casually lops the head off of the goblin dog facing him.

Bold May Post
Red Goblin
Kiera
Blue Dog
Daelric- 3 Dmg
Andrezi
Volkar

Volkar swung the ax at the goblin and growled as he swung.

Again his ax bounced off of the hedge and missed its mark.

The red gob takes another swing at Volkar, but misses.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Kiera shifts her position, and sends another acid glob at the Goblin Dog. This one strikes true, sizzling into the beasts mangy skin.
Acid: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (19) - 5 = 14
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

The last dog charges forward at Daelric, but is unable to get through the tough dwarfs defenses.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Bold May Post
Red Goblin
Kiera
Blue Dog- 2 Dmg
Daelric- 3 Dmg
Andrezi
Volkar

As the next dog rushes me I raise my axe and shield, I try to swing my axe in time to hit the Dog before it can hit me and then bring my shield up quickly to protect myself from its savage jaws.

War-Axe Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 4 + 1 = 3

But as I am about to connect with the creature Kiera's ball of acid comes flying at the creature and I am able to move my hand out of the way just before it is struck by the magic. Unfortunately this sudden movement also makes my attack go wide, but I am pleased to hear that Kiera managed to hurt the mutt a little.

In rage, Volkar swung hard with his ax.

His shout was met with the sound of the axe catching something other than thistle and hedge.

Per your earlier statement, I am going to delay Andrezi in favor of his readied action. If this is incorrect or you have changed you mind, just let me know.

Daelric and Volkar both swing again, this time Volkar was the lucky dwarf, ending the cheeky flirtations of the last goblin.

Acid: 1d20 - 9 ⇒ (12) - 9 = 3
Keira tries to duplicate her efforts, but cant connect again.
If you return and want to reroll yourself, go ahead.

The remaining dog makes another attempt at Daelric with the same results.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Bold May Post
Kiera
Blue Dog- 2 Dmg
Daelric- 3 Dmg
Andrezi
Volkar

Volkar pulled his axe from the falling body of the dying goblin and spun the blade at the barking dog.

[spoiler] attack dice 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 3 - 4 = 131d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 [spoiler]

Volkar sinks his ax deep into the creature, but its not quite enough to bring it down.

Bold May Post
Kiera
Blue Dog- 6 Dmg
Daelric- 3 Dmg
Andrezi
Volkar

I swing yet again at the dog, hoping to end this battle quickly.

War-Axe Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 4 + 1 = 10

But again I am unable to connect with the canine creature.

Continue to delay...

Kiera keeps conjuring her spells, hoping for another lucky shot.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 - 9 ⇒ (5) - 9 = -4

The party misses again, and the dog lunges at Daelric again, bouncing off of his shield.
1v2d: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Bold May Post
Kiera
Blue Dog- 6 Dmg
Daelric- 3 Dmg
Andrezi
Volkar

Volkar watched as the hairless dog lunged at his fellow dwarf and swung his axe in the hope of ending this challenge.

Yet again the cramped quarters and the random twig of the hedge sent his axe wide from where the dog had landed.

Continue to delay

I swing yet again, starting to get a little fed up with the cramped conditions and the prolonged fight.

War-Axe Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 4 + 1 = 8

But yet again I am unable to hit.

This is starting to get a little tedious, are there any feats that help with squeezing, etc?

Daelric, not off the top of my head, but thank god this is the only area I have noticed in the first two books that this is a problem.

The team continues to fight off the dog with no luck.

Kiera

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 - 9 ⇒ (8) - 9 = -1

Basically, you need a gnome or halfling combatant in the party.

Or a druid. There is a sidebar in the book talking about druids and how some may see their ability to just walk through the thorn walls as being unfair yadda yadda yadda.

Keira takes out more of the thorn walls, and the dog lunges again, with the same results.. a broken tooth and a mouth full of metal shield.
1v2d: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Bold May Post
Kiera
Blue Dog- 6 Dmg
Daelric- 3 Dmg
Andrezi
Volkar

Damn would be a good feat to get, due to the experience, even if it was never used again.

I swing at the dog again, aiming for it's neck in hopes of ending this skirmish.

War-Axe Attack: 1d20 + 5 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 4 + 1 = 8

But the dog moves it's head out of the way just as the blade comes down.

Pretty sure you know the drill by this point. Delay.

Volkar lashed out at the dog with his axe.

This time his axe did not get caught in the thistle hedge.

And Volkar ends the battle with one last strike from his ax.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Yaaaaay!