Second Darkness beer and pretzles (Inactive)

Game Master drbuzzard

You hit, and inflict a wicked hangnail.

That one drops he oh so powerful hand crossbow, and pulls a short sword to attack.

to hit: 1d20 ⇒ 1 damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 nevermind, I guess there's a reason he sticks to the crossbow

The other two keep shooting at Kronug because they think he is too sexy for his shirt.
to hit: 1d20 ⇒ 10 damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 hit
to hit: 1d20 ⇒ 7 damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 miss

PCs are up.

No AoO? Can Jean use his ability to teleport back of the one that miss him and make space for the others?

There's no way to show it on the map, but they are basically in a curved row. The one adjacent to you dropped his range weapon, and pulled a melee weapon to avoid an AOO.

You can TP to the back if you want, as you can see it.

Excellent! Jean will do that, and wait for the others to attack, so he can flank. Thanks.

as the drow are targeting Kronug in his sexy shirt.... Can Sileth take a 5ft step adjacent to Kronug and gain line of sight on the drow shooting at the big meatshield ?

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Yes.

buffs: Mirror Images 5, Haste xtra attack, BoF +2 to hit ac and reflex, Shield, Fly, Ablative Barrier

current AC 28

Sileth takes a 5ft step next to the hulking meatshield and now that he is sniffing range detects a faint but still palpable whiff of eau de pew. DAMN....I don't think he has bathed once since I met him

Doing his best to ignore the debilitating cloud Sileth quickly casts

and then follows up with 2 arrows at however looks affected by the spell

+12(+5 BAB +5 DEX, +1 Weapon Focus, +1 weapon attunement, +1PBS, +2 BoF, spell combat -2, xtra haste attack)

arrow#1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
cold damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
shock damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
sneak damage if applicable: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 4, 6) = 20

Haste arrow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
cold damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
shock damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
sneak damage if applicable: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 6, 5) = 17

Yes, Jean would like some blind opponents... if he don't get blinded himself.
At least they are not Hentaicles. :S

Swapping BoF to extra move speed

The kellid follows after Jean, climbing the stairs until he bumps into the first drow, whom he promptly tries to behead.
Power Witch Hunting Reckless Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 15 + 2 = 31
Damage: 1d8 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 18 + 2 = 26
"Welcome to Kronug's! Soup of the day is Drow's blood with a touch of Dying's tears!"

Sileth:
Need a will save from Jean since he's in the area.

will: 3d20 ⇒ (14, 1, 14) = 29 pass, fail, pass

You kill the blinded one. The others are all fashionably sparkly.

Kronug charges (but not technically) up the stairs and wails on the one with his sword out (keep that mind out of the gutter).

Rags flies into the ruin to get line of sight to the remaining drow.

"Oh look ..... they're clustered together for hentacles...." he thinks to himself.

fly: 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 3 = 23

stealth: 1d20 + 15 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 20 = 43

If you're careful you can get Kronug and Jean too

As the melee guy least inhibited by the tentacle drop, I have no strong feelings one way or the other. Maybe Kronug will learn something about himself.

Even with the map, I'm not really sure how all this works. So...
Marckus follows Kronug, taking out his spear on the way.
Reach weapons!

The situation is a bit to hard to describe on the map so we're winging it.

Jean tries to hold his breath, so he is not affected by the spell.
Will Save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Umm, while it doesn't make sense, it does work (it was Glitterdust). Though you are sparkly nonetheless.

Curious to see if gumby wants to attack up the stairs as well. If not The baddies will go.

Jean was worried to get all shiny on the insides :P

But Jean, you could fart glitter! They'd have to let you be an honorary elf by then.

Ulthar will move and try to hit whichever of the drow is in the most immediate stabbing range.I assume I won't be able to full attack though. Fervor to AC and to-hit.

Attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33 Includes Jean flank.

Damage: 1d10 + 18 + 4d6 ⇒ (4) + 18 + (2, 4, 1, 4) = 33

You have to go up stairs to get to one, so you're right single attack.

Now either you can gumby and hit the one flanked by Jean, or kill steal Kronug's.

You can decide.

Definitely the killsteal. Less enemies hurt less. Also worth pointing out, Ulthar does threaten each guy. I think.

OK, down to one target, who drops his crossbow and attacks Jean with a shortsword.

to hit: 1d20 ⇒ 5 damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 nevermind

The other 4 drow continue to heave their guts

PCs are up.

Kronug, confused by the seemingly noneuclidean nature of the tower, believes he should move to attack the closest Drow.
He can't be entirely sure, though, and that makes him angrier.

All the things, all the time: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 2 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 18 + 2 = 25

Sileth aims at one o the puking drow that does not have a melee-bro blocking his line of fire

+12(+5 BAB +5 DEX, +1 Weapon Focus, +1 weapon attunement, +1PBS, +2 BoF, spell combat -2, xtra haste attack).

arrow#1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
acid orb damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3
cold damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
shock damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

arrow#2 : 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
cold damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
shock damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Haste arrow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
cold damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
shock damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

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Kronug sets up for another killsteal, while Sileth kills a poor defenseless bystanding Drow.

Can we get the map updated so I know where to put Jean, and who to attack? Thanks

As I have mentioned before, I can't actually put things on the map for this since you are on a 3d stairway which wraps around the inside of the tower wall. Assume it is a spiral. Right now at the bottom end of the spiral is Ulthar, then Kronug, then a single standing Drow, then you. At the top of the stairs by the entrance to the roof, are 3 more drow puking their guys out.

But I think it shows Drow that have died already...

IGNORE THE MAP.

I know it's hard to read and go with what I say, but try it. There's one fighting drow, and 3 puking drow.

Is that so hard?

Marckus fights the fighting drow!
Longspear: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 12 - 4 = 27, Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Took off 4 for cover. If flanking, add +2 and Sneak: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 3, 5) = 16

Marckus finishes the kill steal.

The others are all nauseated, and can be offed at leisure. Combat over.

Excellent!
"Besmara has bless us today! Anyone hurt?"

Kronug would never suggest it, in fact he'd probably need restraining if we do it... but we could bring the pukers alive for interrogation and to earn points eith the knife ears.

"Judging by the amount of blood, I say it's been Crom the one blessing us." says the kellid as he kicks a downed drow a couple times, just for good measure "We should check on them elfnecks out there to see if they are a-okay."

"Oh yeah, I kind of forgot why we were butchering these drow in particular."
Marckus checks pockets. Loot the bodies!

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They have mithril chain shirts and potions of CLW.

Not anymore they don't.

Wait, are the potions mithral too?

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Yes, OOH SHINY!!!! (but it has no extra value)

Sileth strips the mithril chain shirt off a similarly sized drow shakes the cooties out and tries it on for size sweet and pockets a CLW potion.

"Hey Marckus...I think there's a ballista up there"

So you know, ABP takes time to attune, so you just ditched any magical enhancement your armor had.

uh ok....
Knowing how the universe works Sileth shakes off that childish impulse to wear his pretty shiny new toy now and waits to do a full disinfect and appraisal of it till they get back to base camp.

tbh I'm not sure if the +1ac is worth the 10%asf....i'll have to think about it...but probably not

You go and inform the pinned down elf squad that they are now safe, and they are most appreciative, offering plugs of their chaw.

You escort them back to the main camp.

And no, your armor is not ready. However you are now 8th level.

"Shall I help you carry the ballista, my friend?"

I keep forgetting!
"Nonsense! I don't need any help with this!
Kronug, carry my ballista!"

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You get back to camp, and things appear to be in dissaray. Looks like something bad must have happened. You are escorted to see Queen Landwhale.

She is actually a bit marked up with bandaged cuts and other signs of having been in a fight.
she begins to speak.
"We were raided by da drow. It was close but we fought dem off. "

“Da battle has been brutal,” Eviana says with a clenched jaw, “but I feel that we still have a chance at victory. wit da aid of dese heroes here, our ferces have managed to clear a path to da Academy of Arts. We won’t be able to hold this raht fer long, though. da time fer our decisive strike has come. I would like yinz to participate in da attack. We have limited ferces to commit here, wit our kin spread so far arahnd da city or holding da raht to da Academy, so you’ll be one of three small teams moving agin da building. It is my hope that we can capture or keel da drow leadership, secure access to da Armageddon Echo portal, and finally bring this war to a close. I can understand if yinz feel this is beyond you, and I would find another group if one was available, but this is jest not an option. I need you. Will yinz take on this last mission?”"

"We shall rock on. You have my axe." Ulthar nods.

"Say no more ...."

Jean bows.
"My Queen, the drow will rue the day when they raise their weapons against you! We will make them pay!"
He seems very relieved they won't stay in camp for now.

"So, like, I hope this doesn't impact the work estimate on my armor..." Marckus says with obvious concern.

An elf standing behind Marckus smacks him upside the head.

Seeing Marckus get head slapped for asking about his armor order... Sileth keeps quiet deciding that now would not be a good time to ask about upgrading his armor order to Celestial plate

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Discuss

Two things:
A) If you wish to modify your build within the campaign constraints now that you know who is on your team, feel free.
B) Your only arcane caster is a magus, so one might say you are a touch magic poor. You are quite melee heavy with 4 out of 6.

Also if you are going to have to be absent, warn me and I'll bot you for a while. If I'm not warned, I get irate.

I'm pretty bashy

Basically a barbarian but went with the bloodrager

Buzz I might add primalist archetype just to have more options down the road

Thanks for the catch on the Constitution. I will always take more HP and Fort!

It would be a good idea to put stats into your name display. You do this by filling out the race or class/level line in the alias description. It makes it easier for me to run things since it is a quick reference.

I generally like
AC/touch AC/FF AC, saves, CMD, init mod, perception mod, HP

Yeah I noticed that. Will do.

Thanks for the invite drbuzzard, couldn't decide between oracle or sorcerer, since our cleric dropped. I guess oracle of life is better than no healing at all... Now If I could only cast fire balls ;)

Gonna swap hatred for ancient enmity

Might swap hardy for the one that gives toughness

The proud kellid says "I'm sorry, for even if I'm a mighty son of the plains the flu is a powerful enemy"

I am waiting for the 2 other players to check in. If I don't hear from them today, they get bumped and I will switch to the others from recruitment if they are still interested..

Kronug knows nothing of sophist maths, Kronug knows only the weight of gold.

Kronug requires assistance as to how much money he has earned already. Please, pretty please.

Not like you folks are betting much. A couple gold. Meh. This is time wastage to see if the rest show and I can start beating on you with mooks.

yea just tossing in a little gold here and there to kill the time.

im just gonna keep letting it ride

Well, with 2 gold I can buy more mead. Fair enough.

Seconding mook beating, by the way. Kronug's muscles need some flexing!

I think Dwarfus an Kronug will get along just fine

As only Crom could have planned it!

I forgot to stay up on recruitment. My bad.

So we have a:

bloodrager
barbarian
fighter
oracle
magus

and me, a brawler.
That certainly is a disturbing lack of magic.

I forgot to stay up on recruitment. My bad.

So we have a:

bloodrager
barbarian
fighter
oracle
magus

and me, a brawler.
That certainly is a disturbing lack of magic.

And my archer magus spells are buff and single target attack ala snowball. Not mook killer stuff. So while he's magic. Definitely does not fill the mage slot. He fills the ranged attack slot.

Marckus wrote:

I forgot to stay up on recruitment. My bad.

So we have a:

bloodrager
barbarian
fighter
oracle
magus

and me, a brawler.
That certainly is a disturbing lack of magic.

And my archer magus spells are buff and single target attack ala snowball. Not mook killer stuff. So while he's magic. Definitely does not fill the mage slot. He fills the ranged attack slot.

Hey I did my part, as an oracle of life I've got the healing part down.

As if we needed something else than big muscles and bad jokes. If we can't kill the baddies we'll laugh them to death, for Crom!

I'm going to avoid posting with Marckus tonight so I can mull over alterations and have time to read the explosive gameplay thread. Just a heads up.

I'll be starting up the mook bashing in the morning. Try to be ready.

one of these days someone is going to have to explain to me how 'blind combat' works... I've seen people use a couple of different methods, it all seemed a little vague... like the blind leading the blind...

If you know the square the enemy is in, you can attack it. The target is assumed to have full concealment, so 50% miss chance. Sneak attack (or other precision damage) is not possible when the target has concealment (barring certain feats or such).

Movement can be done at half speed with no penalty or full if you can make an acrobatics check (DC set by conditions). You cannot charge blind.

Generally a perception check to determine enemy location is a move action, but I let it slide here.

cool, the 50% part and movement at half is what I had read. What should the perception check be to determine what square they are in? Or can sighted players give that information?

Normal DC is just a 20 to locate the square when blind. It can be increased if they are hiding.

Luckily for Kronug, he has powerful hearing muscles. That said I'll have to invest in scent, what with smelling the fear of these dogs and stuff.

so i am unsure about how it works. going under and dropping out of rage means i now have -HP of lethal, on top of all my non-lethal. Do I still need to stabilize?[

Yes.

My fault, I'm at 3 HP thanks to rage. All praise the rage!

I don't want to ruin the party, but spell combat requires a light/one-handed melee weapon and a free hand. It's not for bows.
Unless there's a feat or archetype I don't know about, of course.

It's the archetype which allows it.

Go to Magus Eldritch Archer.

Oh! Never knew about that one. Cool.

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yup new archetype released w/in past couple of months

Came out in a splatbook. Not allowed in PFS if you are curious (if it was, everyone would dip it in archers since it would mean a free attack).

Plus snowball shenanigans ala shocking grasp, if I recall correctly. It isn't as absurdly hardcore as 15-20 crits, but ey, it's nice.

there's a huge tradeoff with shocking grasp vs snowball

shocking grasp
melee
high crit weapons 15-20
hold the charge so you are gonna hit with that spell at some point
SR

snowball
ranged
crit range w/ bow 20 (horrible), and with crit spell is still x2 not x3
no hold the charge= chance for spell to be wasted
No SR

edit: because of the risk of losing the spell (no hold the charge) it is much better to just use spell combat and avoid spellstrike. RTA vs Ranged Attack.

in fact the only time Sileth will use Spellstrike is with Cantrips

edit#2: would probably be better to use crossbows (better crit range). But I've never used or liked them

The game is very close to impossible to make a decent crossbowman. Even with Bolt Ace, you can't get something really workable till higher level, and I don't think it ever catches up with a longbowman. I have fiddled with the builds quite a bit trying, but I think it just isn't possible.

I have a 13th level bolt ace in one game here, and he's pretty good. However I think a normal bowman would have been better. The fact that they even nerfed the bolt ace says everything you need to know about what the devs think of crossbows.

I think there must be a better weapon than longbow for a Kensai/Eldritch archer maybe a thrown weapon.

Kensai is mostly about crits and with the longbow crit range 20 ....the kensai is mostly wasted.

Just started playing a higher level kensai so the importance of crit range is really being driven home.

I've often thought it was absurd to make the repeating crossbow an exotic weapon, given it's simple design and centuries of use. Maybe a reasonable approach to that would help crossbowman builds.

3.5 showed both less and more love for crossbows. On one hand you had the Great Crossbow with 18-20 crits and 2d6 or 2d8 damage (don't recall exactly now). On the other hand the only means for Dex to Damage where either half dex under 30 ft with a mostly wasted feat or full Dex as precission damage with an obscure feat from Dragon Magazines.

So Pathfinder is an improvement even if a poor one.

Drbuzzard, I've just realised i dun goofed. I'm actually at 1 HP, because I don't have DR until lvl 2. Don't know what happened to my poor kellid mind, sorry.

I guess I was not paying attention. Just to be clear, I have a +1 spell resistance right now?

You have a +1 resistance bonus on saving throws. Resistance is one of the 'types' of bonuses you can have on things. There's morale, luck, enhancement and a bunch of others. The point in labeling bonuses is because like bonuses do not stack (except in rare cases).

Next level by the chart, your weapon and armor become +1.

The point of Automatic Bonus Progression is for one of two reasons:
A) So you can have people get the bonuses they need to be balanced without using up the slots which might otherwise contain 'interesting' magic items. For example, if you have a cloak of resistance, you can't have a cloak of elvenkind.
B) Removing magic items altogether, so that your abilities are all inherent to you, and you aren't draped out like a christmas tree full of ornaments. This way you can't actually lose magic items, but you also can't have all kinds of quirky abilities from them.

B requires the +2 level adjustment on the table, which is what we are using.

I'm doing it because there are so damn many magic items out there, that I've regularly had players in other games pop up ones I've never heard of which I really don't think are balanced very well. Also as this is a 3.5 module being converted over, I would just as soon cut my work load and not have to worry about magic items, and you people having what you need to be balanced.

In case I need a roll-off with that thug, Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

A note to Hyder, as far as I know you cannot "aid another" on purely mental checks, such as sense motive or knowledge skills.

ok, wasn't sure, I knew we couldn't for knowledge skills, never thought about sense motive but that makes sense.

Don't assume this guy is a chump, or the encounter will be easy.

So... if we assume he's a chump, the encounter will be easy?

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I think it won't be us who will take have an easy time... anyway, let's crush this traitorous dog.

I think it won't be us who will have an easy time... anyway, let's crush this traitorous dog.