Runelords

Game Master Wrath

Tania gasps for air as she feels the singing breath of the hound. Their roar had shook her and she feels a wave of fear wring her stomach and clench her lungs. With a quavering voice unlike the one her companions are used to, she screams as she pulls away from the monstrosities: "We have to get back! Retreat everyone, retreat!"

Double Move to Q13, two AoO.
Question: An arcane Duelist has Rallying Cry. Could she find it in her heart to use it on herself (if she survives)? I'm not sure I would allow it myself, so no pressure.

Realizing his predicament, Jo'no will magically shift himself away from the beast. He will then drop an enchantment on a hound and will move to where Feldspar had been while trying to dodge any attacks from the one beast he must pass by, hoping to draw its attention away from Tania.

Jo'no shifts 5' (no attack of opportunity) to K5. He will attempt to cast sleep on the hounds by Tania (Will save DC 15). From there he will move to O7 (hopefully drawing an attack of opportunity away from Tania since he is first in the initiative order, provided that hound does not fall asleep).

Round 2

The creatures had caught the group a little underprepared and certainly out of position. The intial attacks had badly hurt both Tania and Jo'No, but now the rest of the party were beginning to rally.

Tania broke and ran, rushing past her friends and falling into the corner of the prison room as she gasped for breath. Her mind was frantic as she sought some way to defeat these terrifying creatures. She had caugt a snapping bite on the back of heel as she ran as well, and now bloodloss was beginning to tell for her.

Tania (spoilered for space, all of you can read this)

Idrian meanwhile was attacking his target with great vigour. The weapon struck the animal, slicing into its hide and causing a strange amber fluid to spray from the wound. The hound snarled in response, snapping at the hunter.

A flash of orange light flared past both Idrian and Feldspar to strike the hound that was harrasing Jo'no. The spell caster looked to be in bad shape after the initial attack, and the druidess was desperately trying to save the man. In the distraction from that attack, Jo'no summoned his innate ability to teleport and popped up on top of the strange alter. He then turned and ran past the swirling melee to a safer location behind the dwarven Paladin. Once there, he began to enchant a spell, hoping to plunge one of the hounds into a slumber if possible and relieve the pressure on his friends.

Durik drew his arrow and fired, but the small target provided by the doorway preveneted a clean shot and it went thudding into the stone framework instead, shattering the weapon on impact.

Jo'no, since Tania had fled before you acted, I modified things a little. It is a full round to cast sleep, so I had you start casting it after you got to the safe spot. Nice escape method btw. My hounds are somewhat confused now :)

Responding to the changing combat, all three hounds converged on the two humanoids still in the temple. The lowest hound used its natural flight ability to shift into position and attack Idrian. Its bite sank into the hunters leg, causing a painful wound that sent shivers of unease along the mans leg (Bite hits AC 21, 5 damage. Will save DC 12 or become shaken for one round)

The other two hound also attacked, splitting their attention between the hunter and the paladin. Idrian avoided his opponent, but Feldspar found himself in the hounds teeth, the strong jaws crushing his leg at a softer joint in the armour. He ignored the uneasy feeling the bite caused though, comfortable enough in his devotion to Torag to find such things un disturbing.(Hits AC 19, 8 damage)

Feldspar to act this round.

Map Link

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

AC 22, FF 18, T 14; HP 33/28
Arrows: normal x28; cold iron x5; silver x5
Arcane Pool 2/4
Shield
Weapon Enhacement 9/10

Greatsword: enhanced (+1)
to hit 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11 damage 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 1 + 1 = 8

The hounds slavering maw is deflected by Idrian's magic, but only just. He takes another swipe at it and misses.

Feldspar grits his teeth as the foul beast's bite gets past his armor. He lowers his shield as he calls upon Torag to heal his wounds. As the surge of positive energy rushes through his form, he stands straighter, twists his torso and swings the hammer around to strike the dog.

Swift Action: Lay on Hands 1d6 ⇒ 1
Power Attack at the dog Idrian has already hit: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 1 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13

Jo'no completes his enchantment and follows up with releasing some energy from his wand.

Jo'no will attempt to target one of the dogs on Feldspar with his sleep spell -- preferably one that is uninjured. The other dog on Feldspar will receive a magic missile.

1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Feldspar held his resolve in the face of his injury and tried to destroy one of the demonic houds. His hammer came close, but at the last moment the hound moved its head and the blow fell wide.

Round 4

Idrian continued to press his attack, swingin his greatsword in a wide arc but missing his intended target.

Jo'no meanwhile completed his enchantment, dropping a fugue of weariness over the outsider that pressed Feldspar and Idrian. He felt the beast shrug of his spell though, and fired a magic missile from his wand into the other (25 made for will save. You've been a bit unlucky with enchantments so far Jono, I'm hoping that changes for you soon)

Ok, the rest of you in group 1 need to act now please. That's Tania, Mikka and Durik.

Round 3

Durik steps to his left and attempts to thread a shot between his companions and into the hound in front of Idrian.

5' step to Q7 and fire.
Composite Longbow Divine Favor Point Blank Shot Precise Shot
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 91d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Awesome.

Mikka hurls another strem of flame, but in the chaos cannot properly target any of the vile dogs.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Tania does her best to steal her resolve. She exhales deeply and conjures arcane forces, weaving them in her voice.

Her scream starts as fear, then a note of courage fights to get to the surface.

Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Tania and Durik desperately tried to target their foes, but the beasts proved too difficult to hit through the cover of teh doors and the whirl of melee.

Tania desperately scremed her defiance at the fear she felt, pulling herself up from the depths of a maddening panick. She was shaken by the experience still, having never felt such a deep sense of terror from anything before. (Saved against one, only shaken now)

The hounds continued to attack the interlopers, bariing fangs and snapping jaws at those who dared defile the chamber of teh mother of beasts. Again Idrians defenses proved too much, with neither of his opponents landing a blow, but Feldspar was again unlucky. This hound was hurt, but still fought with a viscious tenacity that proved almost lethal to the Paladin. (Hits AC 21 for 10 damage. You ignore the fear effect)

Things were at a turning point, with over half the group severely wounded now. This temple was well guarded indeed.

Feldspar to act. Map has not changed

AC 22, FF 18, T 14; HP 33/28
Arrows: normal x28; cold iron x5; silver x5
Arcane Pool 2/4
Shield
Weapon Enhacement 8/10

Idrian let's out a curse as he swings his sword in desperation.
Greatsword: enhanced (+1)
to hit 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 = 20 damage 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 1 + 1 = 7

Feldspar takes a deep, shaky breath as he taps his chest with his shield arm once again. "Torag grant me strength to stand and destroy my enemies."

Swift action Lay on Hands (3/4): 1d6 ⇒ 2

He releases the breath as the energies surge through him and wearily swings his hammer at the already wounded dog once again.

Power Attack on the same dog as before: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 1 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11

Curses! Once again, however, the dog easily dodges the attack and Feldspar's mouth twists with disappointment. "This battle goes against us," he shouts. "I will hold them off as long as I can."

Jo'no reads forth from a scroll and directs its magic towards two of the beasts. Jo'no then teleports out of the way to allow a better place for Feldspar to withdraw to.

Spellcraft check (DC 6): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Okay, I guess making the check was pointless :)

Scroll of Burning Hands - Level 5, directed at the dogs in M6 and N6. Then Shift to P8.

Tania pushes herself forward and starts pushing her friends to press on.

"Rally around Feldspar! Fear not for we have them blocked and the tide will soon turn for us!"

Move to P9.
StA: Inspire courage +1 hit damage and save vs charm and fear

Feldspar swung the gods blessed hammer but missed again. While he was clearly stalwart in his defense, the blows he was taking were beginning to take their toll on his fighting arm.

Round 5
Idrian however had much better luck with his greatsword. The weapon sliced in cleanly, taking a massive gash out of the side of the beast her fought. It howled in pain, but the effect was no more terrifying than a childs cry now. The hunter ignored the beast, readying his next swing.

A flash of heat and light filled the room suddenly as Feldspar released the power of his scroll. The flames washed across the two wounded hounds, incinerating them with magical flame. Both creatures fell as lifeless husks on the ground. Now only one remained. (I rolled damage for you Jo'no and you managed to get 16. That was enough to kill both hounds, even though the heavily wounded one made its save. Remember than nat 1's only affect attack rolls, not skills

Mikka and Durik to post for this round. Two hounds down. Only one more attacking Idrian now. Flying and fighting at his head level. It is uninjured.

Round 4

"Damn these goblin arrows!"

Durik takes aim at the last hound and attempts to finally hit something.

Composite Longbow Precise Shot Point Blank Shot Divine Favor Inspire
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 111d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Another streak of flame darts out, failung miserably to find purchase on the snarling hound.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Heading off for a day or two, will get this sorted when I get back unless I can get time on a computer while I'm away. Sorry for the delay.

Cheers

Mikka and Durik both tried in vain to strike the hound from a distance, but it proved futile in the swirl of bodies and smoky light.

In response, teh animal again tried to bite the hunter in front of it, but the creatures mouth never came close to the nimble half elf.

Behind them all, the goblin women began to hoot and cheer for the beasts that had so savaged the party. Their very natures prevented them from remaining so quiet for long, and they too sensed how fast the tide had turned on the longshanks that had so recently slain their bodyguard.

Feldspar to act

I'm heading off the inlaws for the christmas. I still have computer access there so I should be good for updating teh game. However, I won't be able toupdate the maps there. Will try it out and see how we go. I suspect posting iwll slow down now at anyrate, given the season. Cheers

As the flames wash over the dogs, Feldspar smiles. "Bless my companions, Torag." He says softly. Then he turns to the final dog, calling upon Torag's healing might one last time.

Swift action Lay on Hands (4/4): 1d6 ⇒ 5

Emboldened by the positive energy that has flooded his body, Feldspar attacks once again with his powerful weapon.

Move and Power Attack on remaining dog: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 1 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9

This time, Feldspar's god answers his call and the hammer strikes a solid blow against the hound. The glowing weapon crunches into the animals flank, knocking it slightly from its careful flight and it drops a foot or two in the air. It snarls again, baying into the air with an horrific noise but by this time all of those present are used to the noise.

Next round is up. Group 1 to post. The hound has been injured now.

Jo'no will point his wand in direction of the hound and release its magic.

1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Round 5

Durik once again fires at the hound.

Composite Longbow Precise Shot Point Blank Shot Divine Favor Inspire
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 101d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Yeesh.

AC 22, FF 18, T 14; HP 33/28
Arrows: normal x28; cold iron x5; silver x5
Arcane Pool 2/4
Shield
Weapon Enhacement 7/10

Greatsword: enhanced (+1)
to hit 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6 damage 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 1 + 1 = 8

Unable to get near, blood dripping along her arms, and ears still ringing from the beasts' roar, Tania keeps pushing her companions:

"Strike Haaaard Fellows!!! It's end is nigh!"

Inspire Courage for another round.

Durik fired, but his shot was thrown off by the flash of magic from Jono's wand. The magical blast struck the hound, blowing amber blood in a steaming mist from the side of the creature. It howled and twisted sidewards in pain, in turn causing Idrians blow to miss.

Tania continued to praise an bolster her companions, hoping that no further injury would come their way. Mikka took a deep breath and threw another bolt of flame t the hound. Again the purifying flames of magic seemed to do the trick, killing the hound with a crackling burst of heat.

The goblin women were suddenly subdued again, realizing this group had also just destroyed a very powerful set of foes.

combat over. NPCd Mikka to keep us moving. You guys are pretty beat up now, what are your plans?

With the battle done, Feldspar droops, lowering his warhammer and breathing hard. "The evil in this place is strong," he says, turning to look upon his companions. "We can overcome that evil but we must fight wisely. I am in no condition to continue without rest or at least healing. Perhaps we should find a place that we can hold secure while we recover."

"I've some healing left in the want but Desna's truth is I'd rather we take time to regroup. We've killed the king, the druid, and now the hound master. I've no wish to find out what lurks deeper in here without taking time to collect ourselves."

"The idea of camping out in here doesn't really appeal to me, however I certainly could use a rest. I would rather prefer to leave and camp outside this foul fortress. However, if the more tactically minded such as Feldspar believe they can find an appropriately defendable room then I supposed I would feel somewhat comfortable to rest here."

"I'd rather go on, but it seems I'm outvoted. Let's fall back to the briar-maze outside to rest. We run the risk that they'll be able to reinforce or set an ambush for us, but it's better than being caught where we can't escape."

At first, Tania can't find words. She seems almost to sob, but controls herself.

Finally, she offers: Perhaps the roof could be a good spot? They wont look for us there..."

"We truly do need rest and I would feel safer doing so above ground rather than below." Mikka said, her eyes showing the toll of so much spellcasting.

"What about the 'prisoners'? Are we going to leave them or finish them?"

Jo'no simply smiles and shakes his head slightly at Irdian's remark.

"I suppose I do feel partially responsible for them since I asked for their surrender. I believe we have given them reason enough to fear us. We should take them with us as we leave to rest, and then march them a fair distance away in the woods and leave them with a warning that if we see them again, they will be killed on sight."

Tania nods at Jo'no's suggestion: "We could just let them go after we leave this forsaken place."

"I'm not sure that's wise Jo'no, what's to prevent them from turning on us in our sleep?"

"After seeing us defeat the most powerful creatures in here, I somehow doubt that these women have any intentions to return and seek justice. Once we free them, they will run far and fast, being thankful that we spared them."

"Do I understand you correctly, that you fear that these women would overpower who ever would be on watch, and then take out our group? Ahh, but perhaps you misunderstood me. Perhaps you thought I suggested that we rest with them in our camp? Let me clarify, I mean that when we leave to rest, while others are setting up camp, I and whoever else will take them a good distance away and set them free with the warning I previously mentioned."

I have an update to type later in the day, but wanted to put something in here now. Killing these goblins while they're helpless in cages would not be an act of "goodness" in terms of alignment. I can see Idrian doing this without moral dilemma, due to his favoured enemy factor, but almost all the rest of you with good alignments would be troubled by such a thing.

Feldspar poses an interesting conundrum since his race hates goblinoids, but he's lawful good. The code of Moradin probably has something in there about not suffering the enemies of his people to survive, but I haven't really gone into it.

Jo'no has certainly come up with a plausible way to satisfy alignments, but Durik has good points. These creatures are fearful now, but if they come across more of their kin they could easily lead them back if they felt numbers were strong enough. Such is the fickle nature of Chaotic Evil and all that.

"Killing creatures in cages is unnatural, even for the hungreiest predator it is not the act of a hunter. Let them loose as Jo'no suggests. If they attack us then, they are at the mercy of nature where the strong survive. If they are too stpid to learn then they will die, but not like this."

"Let them loose, yes, but does it have to be now? Shouldn't we leave them where they are until we ourselves leave, probably burning down the place and cutting the bridge?"

"I do not fear these goblin women Jo'no, so much as the reinforcements they may bring. As long as they don't know the way back to our camp and we fortify ourselves we should be safe. I won't kill them while they are defenseless but I won't make the mistake of thinking they are not a potential threat."

Such thinking lead to the death of my people.

Jo'no nods at the words of Tania and Durik. "If you do fear that they will bring back reinforcements, then I agree, keeping them locked in cages temporarily would perhaps be the best solution until we are prepared to abandon this place."

"Once we have reached a consensus, I will explain to them what our intentions are since I do feel as if they are in my charge, for having accepted the surrender I offered."

Killing an unarmed, caged sentient creature is an act of evil -- hated enemy or not. Ultimately it is a GM's call. As a GM I could maybe, justify a CN ranger killing their hated enemy but likely with a caveat that they are beginning a dark path, but such an act would definately not be contemplated by a CG ranger. If anything, it would offer such a character a great roleplaying chance to try to instill fear into them -- a chance to pass on the word to others to beware of the great goblin killer :)

Killing them would be an act of evil, but it is something that Idrian would do, if he thought it necessary. If it were only up to him, Idrian would leave them locked up to live or die as fate would have it. In some ways that is even more cruel but, in his opinion, only what they deserve.
We are not speaking about this in front of them.

"First, you were a fool for offering them a surrender." Idrian growls as he plays with his bow string. "We should just kill them or leave them to die. Taking them out of here is asking for trouble."

In the end the group determined that leaving them locked up while they withdrew was the best option. Letting them go at a later date was always possible, and at least this way the little buggers weren't like to turn on them.

Everyone was a little surprised to see that less than an hour had passed since they had begun their assault. It seemed much longer after all the combat and injuries that had been sustained. They withdrew in good order, back across the bridge and into the thickets of the briar patch. They would need to rest until next morning in order fo the caster to replenish their power, and their skin fairly crawled in this place.

what are plans for keeping watch? is any one watching the fort? Those who can change out their spells, please make sure you have an updated list ready, but don't change just yet in case an encounter occurs during the extended rest. I need info about camp set and watches etc before I determine how things play out.

"Irdian, I am doing my best to be patient with you, as my people have taught me. However, there is also a time when a stand must be taken, and I feel that time coming close. Although I have noted that your manner is abrupt, insultive and rude, it seems that it is mainly with when speaking to me that these traits are dominant."

"I could just as easily suggest that you are foolish, uncaring and perhaps lacking of intelligence for thinking that offering surrender to a foe who is greatly outmatched is not humane or even logical. I accept the fact that you greatly hate these creatures, but you need to learn temperance if you wish to continue to work with adventuring groups. More-so, I suggest not insulting those, whose viewpoints differ from your own, especially if those viewpoints cross into religious doctrines."

"I suggest that you consider my words with wisdom as I fear failure to do so will find this group short a member very soon."

Jo'no will need some time in the morning to prepare spells, so he suggests that he can take last watch with someone else, although his primary focus at that time will be memorizing spells and infrequently watching for threats.