Seraphimpunk's Way of the Wicked

Game Master Seraphimpunk

@Temperance from 100 ft out on the gatehouse, you can't see the courtyard, save the entangle. unless you want to wait at the end of the upper bridge, and cast it, become visible, and then run for the gatehouse

[r1] [17: Ash], [16: Victor], [14: Loran], [9: Leo], [8: Forsythe], [6:Temperance], [5: Neji]

you have ? rounds to react before the guards are visible.

Map updated ( in general )

Victor casts vanish when he hears your signal and sees the flare go up. granting him invisibility for 3 rounds. and blows his own horn out of tune in an attempt to sound like an emergency from where he is in the tower.

Yes ballista. Auto correct changed that to Basilisks which are small cannons. Scorpion would have been easier, but I forgot that name.

Did we get a chance to set up the lower levels for invasion? Move pertinent supplies to 25 and 33? Ideally we want them to march into 19 and pour the boiling sand on them. Those coming over 24 can be greeted by arrows, ballistae and stones. Remember guys, we are in a small, well fortified and controlled castle. Take your time and let them file in through controlled paths.

I cast Shield and re-establish Message and Guidance.

If troops come over 18 then I will assist in setting up and pouring sand.

If troops come over 24 then I will cast Produce Flame and toss at them, or assist in moving/firing the ballistae/dumping stones. Victor may be best at ballistae firing/reloading duty on one of them, perhaps Forsythe or Tempy on the other? Did we have time to move the siege engines and supplies to the other side before firing off the flares?

I assume two minutes have gone by and I am no longer Tiny?

there's zero chance they'd march into 19.
its their keep. they know there's no way in to the gatehouse except through the walkway in 24. so how you would lure them to 19 so that you can boiling sand them is beyond me...

you can move supplies to 25 and 33 ( which supplies would you want to move? rations? )

the stone throwers just angle over the front so you can get people trying to enter 19, they can't be repositioned over the drawbridge.

the ballistae you could roll over to face the bridge of doom, it just adds a minute to your prep time, so deduct it from any ongoing spells you had up. ( so yeah, if you move the ballistae its 2.5 min since you guys moved out to get here.

That more than makes sense.

I will choose to move siege engine items before casting new spells on my side. Other than mage armor, I assume my other spells end.

We would move arrows and fighting items. I don't think we would need more than a handful of rations.

Missed updates for a bit. Agree on moving the ballistae pre-flare. And loading them in prep of the fight. Even if we don't end up using them, it is a good option.

The ammo pieces are pretty big, aren't they? Can we stack them up like logs on the small bridge? They would act as a barrier to them getting to us before signaling?

Imagining something like this:

----------------------------
..xxx..................|||.....- Leo behind closed door
----------------------------

----- = Bridge sides
x = Troops
||| = horizontally stacked ammunition "logs"
.... = empty space

NOTE: Could stack them running length-wise if they won't fit width-wise.

Leo may prefer to just fight them, but as a squishy caster I want as much terrain advantage as I can get. If he doesn't object, I argue we do this before signaling/opening the bridge.

Do we want Spawn up there with Leo?

yeah, we want spawn up front w/ leo.

sure, you can stack the ammo, they're pretty large. it would create a low wall which acts as partial cover and difficult terrain i think. will take more like 10 minutes of work though. your invisibility spells will wear off, and it may be easier to notice you if a patrol passes by. ( can't be sure till you agree on that course of action )

so. barricading 24 a bit?

and you'd rather keep the door closed and stay in the the gatehouse? k
i'll reposition leo inside. you may not want spawn out front then in that case.

gm roll: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Yeah we will barricade 24 a bit, we could also use the barrels of rations as barricades, and they may move easier. Anything that controls the advance of troops to a single file and/or difficult terrain would be preferred. This would make it easier to aim the ballistae. Caltrops would be even better, alas.

I say, for now, for purposes of shot and line of sight, Leo may want to wait for the troops to come to him. Inside he is more protected than out. After all, the importance is holding the gatehouse and keeping the bridge down and port up while we await our host right?

So we move fighting supplies, set up barricades, move, load and ready the siege engines, fire our flares, cast our spells and ready for attack.

i agree with this plan.

Yes, agree with the plan as Neji outlines. Setup barricades (first, so we have as much invis as possible), move supplies, move, load, ready siege engines, fire flares/open bridge, short buffs, and then ready for an attack.

Yap, let's do this...
Perhaps we will get lucky and can see what a quarrel from the scorpion does to a pious man and a lord. I'd pay to see that.

Repeating for simplicity: I cast Shield, re-establish Message and Guidance. Stats corrected for new spells, not raging and going from tiny to small.

Ok

so you invisibly carry some of the barrels up from the storeroom to set them and make a barricade. 5 minutes

party stealth check: 1d20 ⇒ 17
gm roll: 1d20 ⇒ 15

then you start together, hoisting barrels up from the store rooms below into the gatehouse with you for supplies. then load the ballistae on the roof.

party stealth check: 1d20 ⇒ 15
gm roll: 1d20 ⇒ 14

and then some of you park on the roof, and signal to those down below to start to lower the drawbridge, and raise the gate.

you manage to avoid detection, until the bridge and flare go up, then their signal horns blow, and they start to martial to get to the briges.
As victor sees them crossing the yard, and rushing past his post on the wall, he waits for them to pass, then moves to the other side of the castle and blows the same signal he heard from before, or tries to.

There seems to be confusion, but in a few minutes the lord walks up the stairs, and looks over at your barracade by torchlight on the bridge. the night sky hanging oppressively , aloft only by the flickering torches.

At his side are the priest, and the captain of the guard that was arrested.

go ahead and take your shot. without light you have some partial concealment from the men, in the twilight hour they can't see you training the ballistae on Lord Havelyn.

Who has the two best Ranged? Mine would be +9 (-4 for non-proficiency). Anyone have True Strike or similar?

I have 2 scrolls of true strike*! I will cast one and take a shot. Neji, I believe you can cast the other? I have a +4 base, -4 non-prof, +20 true strike.

I think we should shoot the priest. He's (probably) going to be a softer target and the paladin will have a harder time healing him than he will have healing the paladin. Also, which is more demoralizing, watching the big, powerful, stoic leader of your cause survive a horrible wound and power on, or watching the old man next to him get annihilated?

Ballista of Priestly Doom: 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 4 - 4 + 20 = 26
Damage: 3d8 ⇒ (7, 3, 3) = 13

*1 from the magic shop and one from a previous purchase; victor also has a ton on him, but those do us no good right now

I can in deedy, unless Loran, Ash or Forsythe can so I can support Leo and Spawn below. I also realize I have a +7 not a +9. I was using tiny math as opposed to small.

If one of those three can not either cast True Strike or has a decent to-hit, I'll fire with Tempy then hustle downstairs...

Say Hello to my Little Friend: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 + 20 - 4 = 35
SHAFT!: 3d8 ⇒ (6, 1, 3) = 10

Ash! Should definitely be Ash, he can cast true strike from a scroll. And he has at least a (+4 BAB +2 dex +2 muta =+8) to hit. That plus the 20 from true strike should hit just fine.

OK, Ash makes more sense as I should be below with the brutes

-Posted with Wayfinder

i cant read scrolls, just wands. my umd is only +4, i'll never make the 21 dc to read the scroll.
its up to you and neji, doesn't look like its on summoner or antipaladin list.

Okie Dokie, then THUMM goes my Scorpion

-Posted with Wayfinder

I thought you were smart, Ash, how can you not read this? See, it just says...

Right, Alch weirdness, they can cast spell trigger but not spell completion.

Ok, we fire the shots at the priest, does he look a little worse for wear?

*f*%&. lost my whole post*

will@temperance: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
will@neji: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

You wait until you can both see father Donnagain clearly as he emerges clearly from the concealment into the area of Neji's darkvision, he gives the signal. Temperance fires, but Neji stands frozen, unable to fire up on Father donnagain, feeling the will of Mitra brush his mind aside as he tries to think of attacking the priest.

Ash drinks his shield extract, Victor? Loran? Leo smites father donnagain. Forsythe tries to blind the Father (willVSblindness: 1d20 ⇒ 10).

[r1: regular round]
Ash throws alchemist fire at Father Donnagain. will@sanctuary: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7. but loses his nerve too.

Victor?
Loran?
you two can list your surprise round and 1st round actions if any.

[r1] [9: Leo], [8: Forsythe], [6:Temperance], [5: Neji]
[r2] [17: Ash], [16: Victor], [14: Loran],

Am I really in combat? I'm somewhere in the castle that's not near the primary fight. And I think I'm not invisible anymore (that was only a few rounds and it took a few minutes for the guards to organize), so I'm probably hiding. I'm disguised like a guard, so I can sneak towards the fight a little and see if I can contribute.

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Just figured you might want to. we can write you off, if you're just going to blow the horn and jump the wall, and make for the woods.

Sure, maybe I show up on the map in round 3 or something?

I will cast barkskin on spawn and then ready my bow to shoot things

@loran - you cast barkskin during the surprise round.
you attempt to shoot Father donnagain and focus fire.
will vs. sanctuary: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14. you lose your will to shoot him. you can shoot someone else next round if you like

@victore - it was more a measure of keeping track of where you are. if you want to leave combat, you can. if at some point you want to join, you'd just have to move over to join. your part in this was just to try and draw troops away and create confusion. if you'd rather just say that when you want to join, you appear in 3 rounds, i'm fine w/ that.

Lord Havelyn climbs over the barricade and reaches the door.
or almost reaches it.

Lay down your arms and surrender to justice evil-doers!

Hey! i go first! a&+$~!#!

I clutch the gash left by the 4 ft spear as it tore open my breastplate, and move up to the barrier before casting Shield of Faith.

Men! stay back and shoot the ones on the rooftop! this is too dangerous for you!

[r1] [9: Leo], [8: Forsythe], [6:Temperance], [5: Neji]
[r2] [17: Ash], [16: Victor], [14: Loran], [13: Father Donnagain], [11: Lord Havelyn]

why did we build a barricade again? and not man it ?

I shoot at father donnagain, and smite Lord Havelyn.
will vs sanctuary: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

F#~* a Duck!

A minor oversight perhaps.

I cast hold person on Father Donnagain.
Will DC 16

father@hold_person: 1d20 ⇒ 8

the Father shrugs off your weak willed attempt to hold him fast.

Neji and Temperance are up. the Ballistae won't fire that low on the bridge, but Neji's ballistae is still loaded.

and you need a will save too , to target Father Donnagain, Forsythe.

Ghaaaay.

will vs. sanctuary: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

>.<
-G-

Give me the Will to defy their foul gods: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Oh Father, I have something for you...

Scorpion: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 + 20 - 4 = 45 <--assuming I have True Strike still since this is before the end of this round? If not math the 20 and +1 from Guidance out. I think the Sanctuary effect happens before my attack bonuses activate. So I think they were held when not activated? I can't check from work so I'll leave that to your magnificence to decide.
Shot in the Dark: 3d8 ⇒ (8, 2, 8) = 18

Oh snap two 20s, our god is so not impressed by yours...
Scorpion Confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 + 20 - 4 = 39 <-- again uncertain if bonuses apply, math away if not.
Shaft damage: 3d8 ⇒ (6, 3, 2) = 11

made that will save for you when i narrated it. the 7 save. you don't get a save every round, sanctuary blocks you from attacking Father Donnagain for the duration of the spell once you fail your save or until he attacks. if you want on the regular round, to fire the scorpion, your available targets are regular soldiers, since Lord Havelyn is too close to the door, and Sanctuary protects Father Donnagain. You do loose the True Strike either way, since that bonus only lasted for any attack made during the surprise round. so you can gloriously and spectacularly murder a guard, or decide on another course of action

there is a captain of the guard with the men waiting on the bridge. you can fire it at him. if you're in your suit you have darkvision and would miss chance, if you're not in your synth suit you have low light vision and can see him w/o concealment.

The barrier was supposed to be close to the door. Meant to slow down troops and prevent them from overwhelming our position. If the paladin wants to charge the door and climb the barrier, isolating himself from the rest of his troops, I'm all in favor of that. I moved the barrier on the map to where I intended to place it (technically it would've been where the paladin is standing, but I'm fine with it being a few feet back from that). If that doesn't make sense to you, move it back.

Neji, shoot the guard captain if you can see him. Even though darkvision doesn't extend that far, I'm guessing that they have torches or something to illuminate their way and so light themselves up at least a little.

On Tempy's turn, she'll see if that paladin thinks she's funny. DC23 Will save.

Yap, that was what I was going to say as well. May as well use the crit on the Cap then. After, I will move downstairs as far as 30' will take me, to assist Leo. I am in my suit, yes. The "Neji Volrata Eidolon" character means I am wearing it.

the captain takes 29 damage, the scorpion stinger going through part of his abdomen, but he's still standing.

they do indeed have some torches over there shedding some light.
lord havelyn's sword is also glowing with a bit of radiance like a torch.

havelyn's will save: 1d20 ⇒ 11 . he makes it for now.

5 bowmen take shots at Ash's 26 AC
5 dwarven crossbows fire at him too.

[r2] [17: Ash], [16: Victor], [14: Loran], [13: Father Donnagain], [11: Lord Havelyn], [9: Leo], [8: Forsythe], [6:Temperance], [5: Neji], [2: guards]

fine, he doesn't wanna play nice? i ready to tap the wall - Darkness, and step to the side a little.

victor and Loran are up.

So the whole place is busy fighting my well entrenched comrades? I'm going to take this opportunity to sneak into the keep and see if I can cause some havoc.

This seems like the most Victor thing to do in this situation. Victor does whisper the above over message in his sneaky sneaky voice.

I'll dress up like a dwarf this time. With the dwarves throughly vindicated and absolved of any guilt, seems like they're unlikely to be challenged. And it seems easier to fake being a dwarf to some ignorant soldier than to fake being one of his buddies. An injured dwarf! Limping back from valiant combat.

lol. great. so standard to disguise and move action to move towards the nearest stairs into the keep?

Yea, yea, that's what I'll do.

I will cast haste on the people in my area.

haste on 5 targets. you're downstairs? Neji, You, Spawn, Forsythe, and Leo can be caught. or you can swap one of them for Krizzbit, but I think that's a good target list.

[r2] [13: Father Donnagain], [11: Lord Havelyn], [9: Leo], [8: Forsythe], [6:Temperance], [5: Neji], [2: guards]

[r3] [17: Ash], [16: Victor], [14: Loran],

I wait for Captain Eddarly to get closer, so i can channel, then move and duck behind the barracade.

channel: 12 = 12