Steel Wolves - A Mercenary Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Mark Sweetman

"Sounds good to me, Doc, you're our blaster, so take who need to bring down these tunnels. I'll take whoever you don't need and keep an eye on the hole."

After the others start to speak of bringing the tunnels down, Kaavel takes the tip to the wagon putting it in his pack so they could figure out what to do with it later.

Doc - just need to know how far from the main chamber you bring down the tunnels. They each are a couple of hundred foot long between the main chamber and the next sinkhole.

I think bring it down at 90 feet, and then again at 60 for twice the blockage. Hopefully that will be far enough away from the main chamber. After we bring the last one down, we should wait about 20 minutes to see if there's any response from below.

Once we find that out and deal with any situation that pops up, I'd like to bring the Mwangi down to the mouth of the hole to guard our exit.

"Yer tha hole-master Doc!"

"Yer damn right. Grusk, Sentis, yer wit' me. Le's go."

Do I have enough black powder to make charges? Essentially, make a trap that would bring down the roof since it's already fairly unstable?

Ok, Im ready Doc. What do you need me to do?

The half elf was just slightly worried about being so close to the explosives but he trusted that Doc knew what he was doing.

Doc - no need for black powder, with some well measured weakening, and some select earthbreaker strikes you can bring the tunnels down easily enough.

Team Green and Cap'n Boom move into the tunnels to secure their position. Working quickly, but precisely, Doc is able to direct the three efficiently and bring down the tunnels in short order and return to the central chamber.

Those that have been waiting are able to hear snatches of movement and chittering below... but just as the sapper team returns to the chamber - it begins to grow more persistent... and louder...

Fight or flight? - you've a round or so to get to whatever position you'd like within the chamber...

It sounds like we've garnered some attention. Shall we finish we started?

Sentis was feeling that rush that all warriors get right with battle pending and he was looking forward to getting this over and out of the tunnels.

"Sounds like it's about to get fun. Everybody ready to finish these foul creatures off once and for all?"

If we stay and fight, I will cast Shield the round before combat begins. AC 20

"Tha's why ah brought ye, elf. Ears like that come in handy.."

Doc hefts a bomb and gets ready to pelt the first hostile creature that comes out of that hole.

ready action bomb throw

Still open for prep actions from Grusk, Kaavel and Cort - looks like Fight is the chosen response.
Unless otherwise informed, I'll start you 20-30ft from the central rent in the floor. Team Green and Doc to the North, and the others on the South side.

Kaavel checks his brass knuckles before putting himself in his orthodox stance waiting to strike at the first creature he sees.

Back to some rock and ready to flank and bash

The sounds beneath you intensify and the chamber begins to shake slightly. Then, as one the ankheg burst forth into the chamber...

Will have the Map and Init rolls up later tonight when able.

Map

Three of the green colored bugs burst through the hole where the ziggurat's tip pokes through, chitin shining and jaws dripping with corrosive fluid.

Action Tracker (Round 1): Ankheg, Blaze, Grusk, Doc, Kaavel, Sentis, Cort

As you were all basically delaying for the ankheg to arrive, this easily falls into an 'us' vs 'them' initiative order. The first round of the ankheg is taken up with them bursting into the chamber, then you all get to react to that.

"God I am sick of these things." Cort says, moving forward with his blade drawn and searching for a chink in it's armor.

Moved to K15 and attack:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 For 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Doc tosses an explosive in an underhanded lob towards the middle creature.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 touch attack
2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 3) + 4 = 13
6 splash to the northmost bug

I remember doc has his headlamp on, and blaze cast light on something, but i'm not sure about other light sources. are we worrying about that?

Sentis woudlve kept a Light spell active and Im sure our resident Magus wouldve done the same.

Remembering very well what happened the last time they were surprised by these things; Sentis called to mind a protective spell and waited for Doc to throw his 'bomb' before heading in to melee range.

Standard Action to Cast - Resist Energy / Acid. Move Action to draw weapon while moving to K,9

Light sources are unchanged from when you entered; and the chamber also has the bioluminescent fungi providing some light to you.

Cort's blade meets the hide of the ankheg in a solid strike, though the chitin is thick and does not get marked by the blow.

Doc's bomb sails through the air and lands where he intends before detonating with a cacophonous hollow thumping sound a moment later. The ankheg struck is left with a sizable hole in it's carapace while the other...
Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
...is left singed by the explosion.

Sentis calls upon divine power and moves forward.

Action Tracker (Round 1): Ankheg, Cort, Doc, Sentis, Grusk, Kaavel, Blaze

Damage Tracker:
Blue - 3
Red - 13
Green - 0

Flanks with Cort

Morningstar
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage
1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Precise strike 1d6 ⇒ 3

Kaavel moves forward at the closest Ankheg before taking a quick jab at the creature.

Attack and Damage Roll:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 111d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

The green outline Ankheg.

If moving to N14 will allow me to flank, I'll move there. If not I move to M15

Blaze calls upon his mystical powers to enchant Sunstrike to land and deal more deadly blows. He then moves to attack the Ankheg in front of him. Swift action spend a Arcane Pool point to add +1 to weapon. Move action to get into melee range. Standard action to attack

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 Attack for 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Grusk charges at the bug already beset by Cort and scores a solid blow. Sneak Attack Damage?: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

Kaavel and Blaze both move forward to attack the southern ankheg en-masse, though their strikes are turned aside by the bug's armored skin.

Busy day at work, so Ankheg and Map update will come when I get home tonight.

Action Tracker (Round 2): Ankheg, Cort, Doc, Sentis, Grusk, Kaavel, Blaze

Damage Tracker:
Blue - 3
Red - 13
Green - 14

Doc grins at the success of his bomb, and then on impulse, grabs a glue bomb and an explosive and lobs them both together.

Tanglefoot Bomb Discovery!
touch attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 4) + 4 = 14
DC15 ref, or be entangled and stuck down
6 splash, DC 15 for half damage. Failure= entangled.

Reacting as Sentis approaches, the ankheg lashes out...
Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 for 2d6 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 + (3) = 12 the 1d4 is acid and follow-up Grapple: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
...powerful jaw crunching through armor and bone but Sentis manages to slip out before it holds him fast.

The center ankheg moves to the side and unleashes a torrent of caustic discharge striking first at Cort, before continuing on to splash Blaze and Kaavel. 4d4 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 2) = 7 acid damage, Reflex DC 15 for half to each of you.

The third bug withdraws from the angry half-orc with a morningstar and lunges at Cort...
Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
...though it's jaw skitters off his armor.

Action Tracker (Round 2): Ankheg, Cort, Doc, Sentis, Grusk, Kaavel, Blaze
Doc's action is on file and will be updated in batch fashion with the others. Redirection is possible based on ankheg new positions. (I'll apply any entangled bonuses as appropriate)

Updated Map

Sentis held back a scream as the ankheg's mandibles tore through him and retaliated with a wicked slash of his scimitar.

Attacking Blue Ankheg - 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28

Damage - 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + (3) = 13

Crit confirm - 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28

Damage - 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Curious, how come you have me listed as goin first when combat started but now I'm last?

Kaavel growls as he gets sprayed with acid before moving in toward the Ankheg to strike. Once close enough he unleashes a two punch combination.
Reflex Save:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

5 foot step to M-14

Flurry of Blows
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 161d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 131d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 261d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Oops. Didn't realize I was acting out of turn. Sorry.

Curious, how come you have me listed as goin first when combat started but now I'm last?

That was my bad - rather than copy paste, I just rebuilt the list in order of posting. As it's an us vs them fight at the moment, it doesn't make a tangible difference here though.

Sentis scimitar flashes forward and carves a deep and damaging path through the ankheg that bit him. Sentis - crit confimed, what is the second 1d6 in your first damage line?

Kaavel steps up to the plate and unleashes two thunderous punches. The first does not land true, but the second staggers the beast - cracking through it's exoskeleton.

Action Tracker (Round 2): Ankheg, Cort, Doc, Sentis, Grusk, Kaavel, Blaze

Damage Tracker:
Blue - 19
Red - 13
Green - 23

Doc - can you re-confirm where the tangle-bomb got aimed?

Lets put it at K13

Morningstar
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Damage
1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Sneak attack +2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4
Precise strike + 1d6 ⇒ 2

"Whack attack!"

Reflex:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Cort is far too focused on the bug and his reflexes fail him. Luckily his armor is made of their chitin and only a small amount of the acid damages him in a trail on his arm. His face screwed up in pain he takes a step to stay flanked with Grusk and strikes again.

Five foot into flanking, then Attack:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 For 1d8 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + (1) + 4 = 8

Where exactly is Grusk and Cort? I can't see a spot for Cort to move to flank with Grusk that doesn't provoke two AoOs, but I don't think he needs to go any where, just Grusk. I'd like to move to flank as well, but can't figure which spot would be best to do so.

N 12
was trying to set up as many people to flank as possible, DM can let me know if I need an acrobatics check....

Doc moves forward to get a better angle and unleashes a sticky bomb at the bug that Kaavel struck with a mighty punch. At the explosion the ankheg is blown into the boneyard as well as being stuck to the floor.

Grusk moves to support Sentis and his chitinous bludgeon sinks deep into the bug's behind and ends it's short existence also.

Cort steps up to the last surviving ankheg and delivers a deep cut to it's underbelly.

Two dead and blaze to act before the bug/s

Action Tracker (Round 2): Ankheg, Cort, Doc, Sentis, Grusk, Kaavel, Blaze

Damage Tracker:
Blue - dead
Red - 20
Green - dead

Updated Map

FYI

Blaze says a few words in a language that sounds like a combination of a crackling fire, bubbling lava and the roar of an inferno Ignan then blasts the remaining Ankheg with a pair of force bolts Casting Magic Missile for 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5

Blaze's force bolts arc out and into the side of the remaining ankheg, but it does not yet fall. It lashes out at Cort...
Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
...though it's aim is weakened by it's wounds.

However the earth rumbles as another threat emerges to the East of you. Bursting through the floor of the chamber is a bug much bigger than you've seen yet, mandibles glistening with acid it roars a challenge to you...

Action Tracker (Round 3): Ankheg, Cort, Doc, Sentis, Grusk, Kaavel, Blaze

Damage Tracker:
Red - 25

Note - the biggun has reach

Updated Map

A bit intimidated by the large bug that had just emerged; Sentis moved to help Cort finish off the last, lesser threat.

Move to H,13

Flank attack on Red Ankheg - 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 15

Damage + Precise Damage - 1d6 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + (5) = 13

"Dang! We jus' found th' one that's gonna armor th' pack wagon, boys!" Doc says shuffling forward for a better angle and putting one of the dead bugs between himslef and the one. Hunkering down Doc lobbed another tanglefoot bomb mixture at the new creature.

Move forward to within 30 feet of target to L9, using the bug corpse for cover.

touch attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
fire damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 3) + 4 = 13

DC 15 reflex or stuck down and entangled

"Hey look, it's Grusk's aunt. Wanna go give her a hug hello?"

For the moment the Magus stays put, and once more speaking in the fiery tongue, lets loose a blast of flame at the new threat. Casting Scorching Ray 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Ranged touch attack for 4d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 4) = 14 fire

Cort staggers as the ground rocks and his trained eyes take in the new creature even as he dodges the strikes of the old. It never rains. He thinks annoyed, though he remembers the training of his father Roland and keeps to the original threat until it falls.

Attack:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23 For 1d8 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + (1) + 4 = 11

Seeing the large beast Kaavel says "I do not know about that being an aunt Blaze." He than moves to stand next to Grusk for when the large beast attacks.

Move to N-10

Sentis blade richochet's off the bugs chitin, but Cort's strike is true and ends the suffering of the remaining normal ankheg.

Blaze's spell lances out at the biggun, burning a hole through the hide of the newly arrived ankheg.

Doc's bomb bounces off an unfortunate angle in the bug's hide before erupting into a gooey mass on the ground beneath it...
Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 Another of the vagaries of splash weapons - a huge creature is as easy to entangle as a small one...
...with enough sticking to make the creature entangled.

Just Grusk left before the biggun gets a go.

Damage Tracker:
Red - dead
Biggun - 20

Morningstar
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Damage
1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Apply as needed...DM
Sneak attack +2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10
Precise strike + 1d6 ⇒ 3

I gotta admit, its a bit worrysome that this things touch AC is higher than 12. Are you sure we're gonna be able to hit this things normal AC??

Blaze - now now - let's not get all meta; I'm sure you'll chop-suey it soon enough.

Grusk - I ummed and ahhed a little as to how to apply your action; as I stated up thread that the biggun had reach... and you didn't include an acro check. Similarly I wasn't sure if you'd really want to move straight up to it and potentially eat a full attack in return... so I went with a do smallest harm approach and kept you away from it for now.

The huge ankheg screeches before lumbering awkwardly forward. Unable to reach the one that sent fire through it's hide with it's entanglement, it instead focuses upon the closest foes.... Kaavel and Grusk. It's mandibles lunge forward at Kaavel....
Bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 for 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 8 + (2) = 15 1d4 is acid
...jaws crunching bone and muscle both; though the large creature withdraws it's jaw after the bite.

Action Tracker (Round 4): Ankheg, Cort, Doc, Sentis, Grusk, Kaavel, Blaze

Damage Tracker:
Biggun - 20 (and entangled)

Updated Map