Saga of the Taighean Dubha - a Reign of Winter PbP (Inactive)

Game Master Mark Sweetman

Keeping things in-character.

Seeing Skäne's hesitation, Kló barks out as he raises his own shield, "Hold and heal Skäne!"

Free action to speak, then delay until just after Skäne's actions, then total defense.

Round 7

Foiled by the quick moving northman, Katherson attempts to heal him before more bolts find them.

CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

He then hands the healing wand to Kló.

Follow Skane's lead. Hold position if he does for healing and ready Burning Hands.

READY: Cast Burning Hands 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 1) + 4 = 13 DAM - Reflex DC:16 for 1/2 DAM

Round 7

Now I'm 25/35 HP sauce

The vikingr holds reluctantly, eager to engage both the trow and get to the weak cowards upon the walls.

Respecting his chief's bellow he hunkers behind his trusty shield and awaits the iron rain with a black grin...

Total Defence: AC26

While halted, Annalisa says to the others, "I still have that Alchemists Fire, but I'll need to be closer to chuck it at her. Shall I start with sword or fire?"

Just need a confirmation from Annalisa as to actions this round.

Well, since the others are kind of in the air about when to use the Alchemists fire, I think I'll go ahead and get it ready.

Annalisa digs around in her pack for a second, retrieving two small clay pots. I'll wait until she is closer before actually throwing them, if you can let me know when she's in the 20-30 foot range, that would be awesome.

As further calls are made upon healing and minds turn ever inwards towards defense, defence and further applications of defense - Rikka and Annalisa at least turn a half eye towards hostile future intent.

The guard captain atop the gate holds, though he does chance a glance backwards and down before resuming his steady vigil with crossbow...

As the trow moves, Rikka seeks to release her hold upon the arcane forces that power her art... but the guard's captain upon the wall is waiting for such an opening and attempts to put a crossbow bolt into her breast...
Heavy Crossbow: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 = 27 for 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
...managing an accurate strike that threatens to disperse her hold upon the burgeoning spellforce...

Concentration check from Rikka to hold the spell, DC 21; I'll narrate in spell effects after the roll is made - but it won't affect the short term actions.

The trow then lashes out with her massive axe, targeting the comparatively diminuitive sorceress with the edge of it's blade...
Large Battleaxe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 for 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 4) + 4 = 14
...battering away her hastily arranged defences and cutting deep into her trunk.
No map update as I'm at work - but the trow is now at G,H,11,12

The guardsmen on the wall seem content to watch for now, though the earthen pots are held at the ready and a cruel laugh can be heard as Bordegga's axe is put to bloody use.

Round 8: Guardsmen, Skane, Rikka, Annalisa, Klo, Katherson

Round 8

As the bolt thunders into Rikka, Skäne realizes his shield can to little to aid her. Patience turns to anger as the trow lumbers to engage the would-be-reavers;

"Skitt! Damn trow... face me! Face me!"

The vikngr hacks at the trow;

MW Langsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Kath, until Klo throws or drops the vial, he can’t take the wand from you. Could that standard action to have been to drop it in Klo’s backpack, instead?
.
DMVoV, is your positioning on the map and your specified location for the troll correct? Or can she reach 15’ with that axe?

Kló steps forward with Skane, risking the troll’s reach as he hurls the sticky bag at her.

Anna! Fire!"

step up adjacent to Skane (which likely provokes), throw Tanglefoot at the ice troll (which provokes).
Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13; Reflex DC15 or be stuck in spot, can Strength or cut her way out. Regardless of the save, the ice b!tch is Entangled for...
Entangled condition: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7 rounds.

CONCENTRATION 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Rikka is out.

So my spell is blown before it is cast and the Troll still chooses me as a target?

Rikka - yes, even though your spell was spent, the troll made the choice of attacking the clearly unarmored magic user over the focused on defence armor wearing character.
Klo - should be H,I,11,12; I misread the column earlier.

Skane steps forward along the path, but his strike is fouled by the trow's defences and skitters off it's tough hide. Rikka falls bloodied and broken at his side.

Assumed Skane took a 5ft step to avoid an AoO on closing.
Klo - based on the map below, can you confirm where you step to?

Round 8: Guardsmen, Skane, Rikka, Annalisa, Klo, Katherson

Updated Map

Based on all that, Kló will actually step to K.11 (standing over Rikka), same actions. So, provoking once (as he throws).

Reading through there's no indication I ever had the wand out already, so I'd have had to use a Move action to draw it and hold it to you. So, I still have it, lucky for Rikka.

Round 8

Seeing Rikka drop, Katherson uses the wand on her instead of handing it off.

WCLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

He then drops his crossbow and drags the enchantress from beneath Kló.

Drag her 5' back behind our line, if allowed and that won't draw an attack from the troll.

1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18
Annalisa moves forward (K12) and launches the first pot at the trow at the I12 side so hopefully Skane doesn't get splashed.

Fire Damage 4d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 5, 2) = 16

Reflex 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Damn the trow coming too close to us to avoid having to have us all roll saving throws :(

Alchemical Fire: This hard, ceramic canister of alchemist's fire can be used as ammunition in catapults and trebuchets. When it hits its target square, it deals 4d6 points of fire damage to each creature and wooden structure within 5 feet of the target space, and each creature must make a DC 20 Reflex saving throw or catch on fire (wooden objects automatically catch on fire). Every creature and wooden object within the area between 5 and 30 feet of the target space must make a DC 20 Reflex saving throw or take half the fire damage, but they do not catch on fire. On a siege engine mishap, this ammunition explodes before it is launched, dealing its damage to the siege engine and all nearby creatures and wooden objects as if one of the spaces of the siege engine (crew leader's choice) were the target square. This alchemical fire ignores the hardness of wooden objects.

You're referencing the wrong alchemist's fire there Annalisa. That's the siege weapon version that's thrown by a catapult or trebuchet... your barbarian is throwing the much more mild version detailed below:
A direct hit deals 1d6 points of fire damage. Every creature within 5 feet of the point where the flask hits takes 1 point of fire damage from the splash. On the round following a direct hit, the target takes an additional 1d6 points of damage. If desired, the target can use a full-round action to attempt to extinguish the flames before taking this additional damage. Extinguishing the flames requires a DC 15 Reflex save. Rolling on the ground provides the target a +2 bonus on the save. Leaping into a large body of water or magically extinguishing the flames automatically smothers the fire.

Edit: Also Katherson - the heal is a standard action, and dragging Rikka is possible, but would also be a standard action so you wouldn't be able to do both this round. The drag would not provoke an AoO on Rikka.
Which do you do this round? - drag or heal?

My bad, it was the only one I saw! Do you want me to reroll or are we good with just taking the first of the 4d6?

Drag, better to get her out of the way then heal.

Before I resolve the throws - I just wanted to make sure that I had the map setup correctly as it's been a while.

Updated Map - pre-resolution of throws

If Katherson can confirm he's happy with the drag position, then I'll resolve the throws and the bad guy's turn.

Works for me.

The long limbed female barbarian steps out from cover and into the range of the long-hafted axe of the iss trow. As her arm goes back the troll opportunistically lashes out...
AoO Axe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 for 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8
...Annalisa lucky to only suffer a glancing cut across her thigh. Her arm whips forward and a clay pot arcs to break across the trow's chest. The liquid flame takes a half-moment to ignite, but soon spreads and elicits a raw howl of anger and pained rage from the beast.

Klo steps up in parallel and uses the distraction of the beast to hurl an ungainly missile of his own... but the troll's entanglement with Skane and his unwillingness to strike his ulfen companion fouls his aim and the tanglefooted bag ineffectually splays out upon the snow.

The troll roars "You'll pay b1tch" and her axe is brought overhead before arcing down in a powerful and brutal slash...
Axe: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 for 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7
...and she barely avoids a cloven skull, dodging to one side at the last minute and instead only suffering a crushing blow to the shoulder. The trow follows it's axe strike with a raking claw and gouge with outthrust tusks...
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 for 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
...the bite not landing, but the claw adding another shallow wound.

Shaking his head the guard captain's face is not yet grim, but is less confident than before the breaking fire. He reloads his crossbow as he calls to the others "Raise bows... they're too far now." who restore the clay missiles they had drawn and begin the process of restoring their heavy crossbows to service.

Round 9: Guardsmen, Skane, Rikka, Annalisa, Klo, Katherson

Round 9

Mirthless at the blod of his companions being spilt Skäne once again attempts to draw the brutes ire and weaken its resolve...

"Komm trow! Komm try your øx (axe) dull bite and ósterkligr (weak) arm on my mighty Skjǫldr (shield)!"

Ámáttugr (Fearsome) Intimdate Attempt #2 (Move Action ability at +5 DC due to previous failure):1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 Feckity Feck!

Afore bringing his blade to bear on the jotunn;

MW Langsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Bite of Steel: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Kló’s jotun-blood thundered in his veins, and he steps up to the beast. His shield hits the snow as Blóð'steinn clears its leather sheath in a two-handed grip. With a polar bear's roar, he slams the blade into the trow’s side.

5’ step to J.11. Drop shield, draw Blóð'steinn. Use Ferocious Strike, then 2-handed power attack the ice-b!tch.
Blóð'steinn: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 1 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 11

Sorry forgot my Status for reference DMVoV;

HP 9/28

Annalisa bellows as the trow's axe and claws cut into her, she allows the sight of her own blood across the snow to send her into a rage.
Rage HP 15/34

She spreads out from her companions a bit, not giving the trow one large clump of a target and ensuring she doesn't clip any of them with her own swings 5' step to J13. She swings her sword with a growl.
Longsword 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Does the troll take another 1d6 from Anna's Alchemist's fire? (he says, hopefully) :D

Troll does take another 1d6 ⇒ 2 = 3 damage from the fire.
Just need Katherson and I'll collate as a full round.

Can I use my heal roll from last round on Rikka this turn? If not, WCLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 to her. Which...yeah, same number. :D

No significant movement on the map so I haven't re-posted.
Note: J,13 is difficult terrain, so Annalisa would have drawn an AoO to move there... but given that there was a resolution possible by concertina 5ft steps (Skane -> H,10; Annalisa -> I,11; Klo -> I,10. I've let it slide... this time.

Gorum smiles with more favor upon the vikingr in their struggle as trow blod is spilled unto the snow. Both Skane and Annalisa make their ardour plain and furrows cut through armor and flesh to spray foul smelling liquid sanguine across the snow. The fire thrown by Annalisa prior continues to burn, etching pain into the beast's face.

Only Klo is unable to take advantage, his strike with blóð'steinn accurate, but turned enough by the armor borne by the troll to not cut into flesh. Katherson uses eldritch powers to summon Rikka's essence back into the land of light... and pain.

The guardsmen on the wall complete the reload of their weapons, but heed the captain's call "Hold! Wait for a clear shot on the bastards."

The iss trow fights on, descending into a black rage and venting her anger first upon she who saw her burned. The troll's brutal pig-iron battle-ax descends...
Axe at Annalisa: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 for 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9 Hits at Annalisa's raging AC is 15 on the dot with no shield
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 for 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 for 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
...and though the axe bites deep into her trunk, pain dulls the action of bite and claw and Annalisa survives... though sorely wounded.

Round 10: Guardsmen, Skane, Rikka, Annalisa, Klo, Katherson

Round 10

HP: 25/35

Seeing the trow has overextended with its strike, Skäne bellows a battle oath afore bringing his blade down toward the jotunn's thick neck in a vicious cleaving arc;

"Nei foul trow! Nei more of our blod will you spill! Your time is at an endir (end)! So claims this Sonr (Son) of the Norðri (North)!"

MW Langsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Critical Confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Critical Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8

It's not entirely clear to me where everyone is standing so I'll just do some guesswork and hope you'll apply logic reasonably.

Rikka comes to with a gasp and gets to her feet. She slides behind Annalisa, preparing to round on the creature's flank and (hopefully) get in a position to torch the troll without scorching her allies.

MOVE: Get Up
MOVE: L13? - starting to swing towards the southern end of the group while still receiving some cover from allies.

Round 10

Kló grunts when his attack (once again) fails to connect. With a dark look up at the waiting archers, he steps behind Skäne. ”Cover me.”

The big man raises his hands skyward while uttering dark, rustic words … words that seem to lift into the sky, carried on a new wind. In the distance, a chorus of eagle’s cries answer.

5’ step to the square immediately east of Skäne (looking for cover from the troll and the bowmen ... and hoping the troll is too busy to mess with Klo).
Then lose Tar Ball to spontaneously cast Summon Nature’s Ally II to summon eagles. (1 round casting time)
# of eagles: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

R10
HP 6/34

Annalisa bellows her rage and swings again in an attempt to take the trow's legs out from under her.
Longsword 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Katherson continues to use the wand of good touch on his allies, this time turning to Annalisa in order to keep her fighting.

WCLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Don't spread out too far."

Just a marker - I'll update this tonight as I'll need to update the map at the same time (which I can't do from work).
FYI - Klo is already 5ft east of Skane, as per my comment above, as he needed to be so to accommodate Annalisa making an attack without an AoO in Round 9.
Current positions at start of Rd10: Skane -> H,10; Annalisa -> I,11; Klo -> I,10 - and the trow is at H/I, 11/12
Klo could step behind Annalisa if he wants to get into a covered position?

Remember staying close to Skane if you can gang - his shield abilities are handy ;)

Sorry, I had misread/misunderstood that clarification from you on our positions earlier. Given my misunderstanding, would you be okay if I modified my action entirely? Or would you like for me to simply clarify my new position to keep things moving forward?

And Skäne... yep. With Klo's shield in the snow and bowmen readied to shoot at us at the first clear opportunity, I'm doing my best to make use of the combatants and your abilities to stay alive.

Wait, i'm still confused. How can Anna be in I.11 if the troll is in H/I-11.12?

Actually, for the sake of moving things forward, I'll just stick with the stated actions.
Kló will stay where he is (adjacent to Skäne, which doesn't give cover from the troll, but does give cover from the xbowmen) and try to cast the spell defensively. I'm hoping the fact that the troll will be too busy with the people actually killing her to pay Kló enough mind to interrupt his spell-casting.

Kló silently calls to the spirits of the snow, winds, and mountain to give him strength as he calls forth the flock of eagles.

So, casting Defensively (DC 19); invoking the Vættir to try to maximize my chances of success here...
Concentration: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 7 + (6) = 23

Sorry for the string of posts ... i'll try to avoid that in the future.

Skane's sword descends with all the rage and force that he can put behind it and the heavy blade pierces the trow's hide, shearing through rib and gut to carve a near mortal wound. The icy matron still stands... but barely.

Rikka begins to maneuver southwards and around while Annalisa's low swing is short as the beast reels backwards from Skane's mauling.

The vaettir are angered by Klo's plea towards them and a piercing headache that flashes into and out of his mind causes his focus to be lost.
Once per day

Katherson edges forward and Annalisa feels a cold lance in her spine as runic magic forces her bones to begin to knit.

The men upon the wall can sense that perhaps the trow's end might be near, but the Guard Captain steadies them with a clarion call to their most noble of virtues "Easy lads, hold the shot... if the b1tch dies we can split her pay after we kill the idiots" Reloading is completed and a fusillade of crossbow bolts awaits.

Meanwhile the ravaged form of the iss trow is beyond rational thought as the blood rage is all that fuels her actions. Her assault is still prejudiced against she that burned her...
Axe at Annalisa: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 for 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 6) + 4 = 14
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 for 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 for 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
...but the blood loss and inaccuracy borne of anger mean that all of her assault is without purchase.

Actual Map... hopefully this clears up both my and everyone else's confusion.

Round 11: Guardsmen, Skane, Rikka, Annalisa, Klo, Katherson

What are the chances you'd let me retcon that given the position clarifications so Klo does actually step behind Anna and not need to cast defensively?

You'd still draw an AoO from that position FYI - but it's a no to the retcon.

Sheesh. It does matter, so my question stands. Wouldn't Anna provide the cover necessary to block the AoO, even given that the troll is large (and using the lower-right corner as the point of origin)?

Reading up, you're right... but still no ret-con.
Ultimately you decided on a course of action, and it didn't work. If it had worked you'd be happy to have kept it... but the dice didn't agree and I can't give a retcon after the fact just because it failed.

In DMVoV's link to remind Klo that he had already used his once a day Invoke, I was also reminded that Klo cast Bull's Strength on Annalisa before the physical side of combat began. All of her strength based attacks/damage should be at an additional +4. We had a gap of time there where posts weren't being made because DMVoV was away and I completely forgot that was ever cast and have been going off her normal and rage stats.

DMVoV, are you willing to make changes to her past attacks?

Annalisa - no, previous attacks will stand as is. Just as they would if I suddenly remembered an error in the attacks of one of your opposition.

It's cool, I figured as much. No harm in asking :D

Katherson thanks Winter for a reprieve for Annalisa, taking the opportunity to wand her again.

WCLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

And smiles as his efforts proof fruitful.

Round 11

HP: 25/35

As the brute teeters on the edge of life a smiling Skäne shifts close to her, stabbing viciously into the she-trow's gut;

"With minn red hand I end you trow!"

MW Langsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Critical Confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Critical Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11

HP 20/35
Annalisa, feeling revived from Katherson's aid grins maniacally before laying into the trow again. Strength with rage and Bull's Strength is effectively a 24
Longsword (with Bull's Strength) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Damage 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9