Swordthrust--Memories of an Elder Ice Titan (Inactive)

Game Master Chainmail

"Ho little feller. You come to my domain. My wolves and I are quite territorial. Mayhaps if you present me with a magical gift we can arrange for safe passage? You are currently trespassing."

With such natural beauty, I can understand why you would walk the perimeters and take care of the place. I would do the same. We are but mere travellers, and have in fact been hired to look into a treasure trove in the vicinity. Perhaps if we were to cut you a deal, using some of what we expect to extract from the cold grips of the trove, you might see it fit to waive the toll for the moment? The items that we have at the moment are vital to our success in this endeavour, else I wouldn't attempt to negotiate. Cole attempts to come across as reasonable, not particularly wanting to hand anything over to the man.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

As the halfling glibly offers to give away some of their soon-to-be-hard won loot with nary a by your leave, Xanthar impatiently taps the head of his axe with his palm, Words! Bah, this is certain to come to blows. Let's cut to the cuttin'!

Whatever his personal feelings may be, however, he remains silent, merely waiting for the (in his mind) inevitable to begin...

Btw, I actually liked your role play for your Diplomacy check, Cole. Well done. Xanthar doesn't approve, of course. :D

"Look smart boys and girls" - Terion whispers as he surveys the surrounding area - "I don't like the look of this - "Mayhaps if you present me with a magical gift..." Really?! Extorsionists in the freaking mountains... Lovely" - he grumbles to himself, gripping his weapon tighter.

"You'n me both, sister," replied Strang to Terion.

The human with the rippling physique and well muscled shoulders puts his hands on his hips and replies: "I see. Rather than extract a toll now, we can split the treasure you find in the mountain half and half. That seems quite fair and reasonable as it is in my domain, but you are doing the searching. An equitable partnership. Although it appears I could win much more by force, half your findings seems reasonable."

He muses: "But you would have to swear by your gods, as many others I have dealt with have been less than trustworthy."

He casually twirls his shortsword around his wrist catching it again and again in a display as he speaks. It is far from an amateur move, one neither of you think you could manage.

Terion chuckles to himself at the thought, then becoming more serious, whispers to Cole - "Half of what we find..?! Is this a joke?"

Sorry, I know this will screw up any parley with this chump but...just..no. Xanthar, like most dwarves, is afflicted with insatiable greed and there is NO way he would be willing to do this deal.

"Torag's bulging bullocks! Are there any other boons you would grant us, Oh gracious one?!? We do all the work, risk untold dangers and you will "allow us" to keep half of the loot?!? My counter proposal to you "good sir": step forward and I'll split it half and half...your skull that is!

Awesome. Good on ya, Xanthar!

Bizzlemont cringes at the dwarf's cursing, but he agrees with the man. "What you propose is simple extortion. We may not have to come to blows, but your deal is unacceptable."

"How about you just stay out of our business, and we'll stay out of yours."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Strang loads his crossbow as negotiations appear to collapse.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Diplomacy Assist

"Surely there is no need for blood to be spilled this day". "Just let us go on our way, and we shall gift you appropriately upon our return".

Readies "hold Person" just in case

Cole winces as the outraged outbursts come from his party, but attempts to do what he can to salvage the situation.

To ask for half of whatever we recover to be allowed passage through your land is tantamount sir to highway robbery. Is there a chance that you would accept a change to the agreement and accept an equal share?

We are bearing the full brunt of any danger that might be at the location, and as has been mentioned by a couple of my colleagues, they would find the current terms you propose to be unacceptable.

I accept the terms of swearing on the gods, and will do that. Thus the negotiations are purely to do on the tariff that is being charged.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Strang1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Lamriel1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Terion1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Cole1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Bizzlemont1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Xanthar1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Fornitado1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
King1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Wolves11d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Wolves21d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Order of action
Round 1
King 19
Wolves(A)16
Xanthar 15
Bizzlemont 12
Terion 11
Wolves(B) 10+
Strang 10
Lamriel 10
Fornitado 6
Cole 4

The man watches the preparations for war, and quickly adopts a rangy combat stance and charges toward Terion and Cole, who he figures are the biggest threats. Stopping at ten feet he swings at Cole with a powerful swing sacrificing a little accuracy for power and channeling an incredible rage. His shortsword bursts in to flame as he swings.
Cleave hit Cole/damage: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 322d6 + 17 ⇒ (4, 1) + 17 = 22
if hit cole then Terion/damage: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 232d6 + 17 ⇒ (2, 5) + 17 = 24
He is one experienced warrior!

The three wolves rush forward. One at Cole, one at Terion, and one at Xanthar. Terion swings at the two near him as they approach. AoOs x2 for Terion

wolf vs Xanthar/damage/if hit trip? vs CMD: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 211d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 91d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
If the wolves survive AoOs from Terion
wolf vs Terion/damage/if hit trip? vs CMD: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 151d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 71d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
wolf vs Cole/damage/if hit trip? vs CMD: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 201d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 91d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
You find out these are tough wolves. This could be the fight of your lives. Xanthar is knocked roughly to the ground.

More growls can be heard inside the cave.
Order of action Round 1
King 19
Wolves(A)16
Xanthar 15<<<<
Bizzlemont 12<<<
Terion 11<<<<
Wolves(B) 10+
Strang 10
Lamriel 10
Fornitado 6
Cole 4
Xanthar, Bizzlemont and Terion up

GM Tribute, one question - if he is a man, how come he can reach Cole and me from 10 feet away?

"Quickly everyone! The boots! Run up the cliff face outside his cave! I see no ranged weapons on him!"

Do I?

Bizzlemont rushes up near the mountainside and ducks down as he unleashes a torrent of colors at the wolves and the man. "Fear the gnome!"

Cast Defensively (DC16): 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 3 = 26

Will save DC 17 or be stunned for 1 round (assuming the king and the wolves have more than 5HD). The spell will cover the king and the top 2 wolves.

Fornitado releases his hold person on his turn, then heads for the hills to try and hide. DC15 Will Save

Ok, so first things first - Terion's AoOs:

Bardiche AoO 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22Damage: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Bardiche AoO 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20Damage: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Questions before proceeding: does the King drop his weapon? Does any of the wolves go down with Terion's AoO?

Bolstered by the spells spewing from his companions on the back, Terion roars - "Hold fast boys! This is not over yet! If we go down, we go with a fight!"

This is too important, so I'll wait for the answer to my questions above, before proceeding :D

Ah what the heck. He still needs a two to hit me :-)

Hearing the bravery in the human's voice, Fornitado stops in his tracks, and flips a coin,Heads I run that way, tails I run the other way. Then the coins somehow lands on it's edge, and he heads back towards the melee...feeling fear for the first time in his life...but he would stand strong, until there was no other choice. His god had spoken.

"Quickly everyone! The boots! Run up the cliff face outside his cave! I see no ranged weapons on him!"

Do I?

My light crossbow, which will now qualify for Sneak Attack damage since he failed his Will save vs. Bizzle's Color Spray!

Terion, you may also want to consider Trip-ing the King!

Round 1, on his Initiative

Attack (light crossbow): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Crit?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Plus any modifiers for "in melee", "soft cover", and "flat-footed" Tribute deems appropriate.

Damage: 1d8 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + (2, 3) = 9
Crit Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

With a twang!, Strang fires off his crossbow at the mountain man and displays the better part of wisdom by likewise scampering up the hill. Feel free to move me wherever since Google Drive is blocked at work

Status hp 28, AC 18

Round 1, Initiative 15

Move equivalent action: Stand up (provokes AoO from Wolf next to me in AZ8)
Take 5 foot step to AZ7 (does not provoke AoO from anyone)
Standard action: Bull rush wolf in AZ8 to attempt to push him off the cliff.

Xanthar lowers his shield and rushes at the wolf attempting to dislodge the beast from his precarious perch at the edge of the cliff...

Bull Rush maneuver: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Stunned does mean drops items.

Xanthar, if I read the stunned condition correctly, you do not risk any AoO from the wolves, since they cannot take any actions - this is also why I was waiting for the feedback, to see if Terion risks anything by moving around them.

Now I know this is a little meta, but since this encounter seems to be a killer, I am hoping GM Tribute will forgive us [:D]- I'm not sure how useful a Bull Rush will be since wolves have 4 paws and whatnot, but I sincerely hope you can throw him off the cliff, or perhaps even reconsider your action, and move to strike at the King, since he would not be wielding his weapon by now - even though we are half dead, if you and Terion can get a flanking position on him... He may get hurt. Keep in mind Humans are also Terion's favoured enemy, and if he goes for the weapon, he will have to eat AoOs :D

Just throwing some food for thought out there while we wait - last but not least, if that Hold Person lands...

By the way guys, we are going to take him down - just wanted to share this with you all :D

GM Tribute, apologies for clogging the gameplay with ooc, just wanted to make sure everyone is reading this.

Ok, so I read through some messageboards regarding rules, and I am pretty sure that stunned creatures are not entitled AoOs if we move around them - that being said, I'm gonna risk it, and GM Tribute will disallow me if necessary.

Strang I hear you, and after reading that opponents have +4 on Combat Maneuvers against stunned creatures, and that he should be denied Dexterity bonuses for being stunned, I am going for it. I need to bail out for now, so I'll leave my actions planned out, GM Tribute can take it from there - fingers crossed ;)

Growling all the way, and wounded so seriously that he leaves a bloody trail as he moves, Terion circles around the stunned wolves and the so-called king to come full circle, hoping to both divert the attention from his companions, and gain some sort of tactical advantage, moving to trip their opponent.

Moving to AW:3, and going for a trip.

Trip Attempt: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 + 4 = 32<- Breakdown: Roll+CMB+Favoured Enemy Bonus+Stunned Opponent Bonus

BOOOOOM!

Xanthar fails to move his opponent. Terion trips the stunned king and leaves him prone. The rest of the pack prepare to attack.

Rest of the pack? :D

Wolves B<<<<

Three more wolves jump from a ledge just below the dropoff and attack Lamriel, Strang, and Fornitado.

The rest of the pack completely miss. It as if the very heavens seem to be angry at the wolves. You may adjust actions if they provoke.

AoO vs Xanthar: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 201d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Terion has sliced two wolves badly. Xanthar gets an AoO vs one of the wolves.

Order of Action
Round 1
Strang 10 firing crossbow after a step
Lamriel 10 <<<<
Fornitado 6 <<<<<
Cole 4 unconscious
Round 2
King 19 stunned
Wolves(A)16 one can act
Xanthar 15
Bizzlemont 12
Terion 11
Wolves(B) 10+

Round 1 Init 10:
Lamriel casts confusion on the King. (DC 14).

Did the king make that save against the Hold Person?

Order of Action

Round 1
Strang 10 firing crossbow after a step

Which is "hilarious", since if I'd been more patient and actually waited for my turn... I'd be moving up to Sneak Attack the guy with my sword instead of fleeing with my lame-o crossbow!

Gnasher, seeing his owner seemingly slain, and the battle still needing to be joined, leaps in, and goes for the nearest enemy

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Strang manages to hit the king with a nasty shot. Lamriel and Fornitado consider using defensive measures to complete their prepared spell or pursue alternate tactics. Gnasher rushes the stunned King of the Mountain unable to land a blow.

I will make defensive casting rolls unless other actions are attempted. Note: Confusion and stun effects will happen at the same time (confusion does not wait for the stun to wear off to apply). Hold person, on the other hand, if unresisted, requires full round actions to resist. Xanthar still has an AoO vs the wolf that leapt over him.

Defensive casting rolls? Ahh the wolves were all up on me when I cast? I see.

Fornitado will move so that only one wolf gets an AoO. Not sure I see a much better option, other than full retreat...

Fornitado shifts and provokes a wolf lunge which misses.
AoO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 131d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
The King attempts to resist and seems to shrug off the effect.
Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Lamriel cast confuse on a wolf taking care to avoid attack.
concentration: 1d20 ⇒ 18
Will wolf: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

I gather that the AoO that Xanthar gets is against the wolf in BA7?

AoO (Dwarven Waraxe attack): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23

AoO (Waraxe damage): 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

I included the flanking bonus of +2 in the attack because my AoO should have happened before Fornitado moved. We were on either side of the wolf prior to his movement.

Round 2 Initiative 15

In hand: Dwarven Waraxe (and shield)
Move: 5 foot step to AY6
Standard action: Attack "The King" in AY5
Effects: None

Dwarven Waraxe attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Dwarven Waraxe damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

I did not know what the appropriate modifiers to my attack role against the King should be because of his stunned condition so I just used my base attack modifier. Adjust as neeeded.

Cast Defensively, DC 19: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 3 = 21

Bizzlemont presses himself up against the rock wall and flings his hand out. Immediately, golden sand falls from the air, outlining the king and one of his wolves and getting into their eyes just as they recover from the effects of his previous spell.

Cast Glitterdust (10 foot radius), centered on AY-3. DC16 Will save or be blinded. Hits the King and the wolf in AZ-4.

Fort save to stabilise: 1d20 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 3 = 14

Apologies for slowing things down guys, but I am gonna wait to know if the King is blinded or not ;)

You would not know. If you do something where it matters, we will determine. I think we skipped the wolf that can go though.

The wolf that is not stunned attempts to hit Xanthar.
hit/damge/trip?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 191d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 91d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Xanthar does hit for a nasty cut with his axe after dodging the wolf.

By the way, isn't Terion in the Glitterdust AoE? I have it as centered at AY3.

Bizzle, GM Tribute may be correct - I am not seeing how the glitterdust will not affect Terion. If centered on the bottom right of AY3, it won't affect me, but it will affect you and Gnasher. If on the bottom left corner, it will affect me - better let our GM know your option :D