Ok, that makes sense. Yeah, Boudacia can fly back out and do a perception check sure. *** It's only about 3:30 in the afternoon, a lil early to talk about resting for the night I think. *** No, the lights cannot be seen unless you're in an adjacent square. *** Ok, Tangar told me through facebook that he chooses low for the chance of his ax/trophy.
for Tangar's trophy:1d100 ⇒ 9
Tangar manages to find a very nicely ax-shaped piece of glass for his trophy/possible weapon.
After Aldhranhald's reaction to the magically enhanced vision, he tries to draw a map, but is apparently still slightly dazed by the magical aura he saw. He only succeeds at drawing a child-like map. When Boudacia does it, she draws a very nice image of the Spire and all its locations known so far.
Boudacia shapeshifts to bestial form, giving herself darkvision. Then she and Wayne go to the door going south, listen at it and try peeking through keyholes or under the door.
Perception Boudacia:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Perception Wayne:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Then Boudacia speaks quietly to Tamlara, asking "Do you think you can get this door open?"
Aldhranhald thanks Boudacia for her, clearly superior, efforts to make sure they wring every last coin out of Lord Royst. "Thank you Bouadacia, I will need to calm my nerves and take my time next time I decide to add details to the map and notes."Read: Take 10. :P :D After putting his map tools back in his pack, Aldhranhald casts light, and makes his slow way into the main chamber along with the others, moving carefully so as not to trip, and extending the top of his quarterstaff (now lit with magic) out in front of him to look for any hazards.
Tangar takes a moment to grab out his hooded lantern, and gets it lit using a tinder twig, as it is the safest thing he can use to get the thing burning. Flint and steel now would create too much noise. He doesn't like the odds fighting in this darkness, especially when he still has some soreness from their fight with the hobgoblin.
The north-man stands as the others start to filter into the room. He has to get close to be sure it's them, but his weapon is out and he can always set the lantern down if he needs his shield.
He stands nearby just in case he's needed.. he whispers something clearly frustrated... it wouldn't take much to send him into a rage at this point. What they hear, in hushed tones .. I vish ve had somevay to see better in this darkness, it is no to my liking...
@Tamlara .. always use the tools, +2 it nothing to sneeze at, best bet there..
@Stormstrider, out of curiosity, if we are close to each other can we see through the light of others to their space?? and if the dancing lights are next to us can we see into that space.. what I'm getting at is that if she put them in front of us as we go we could see what we are coming up on, and it would help in combat situations.. I hope that all made sense.. if not, message me and we can hash out what I mean lol.
Boudacia is unable to see anything past the door. Wayne manages to find the slightest of cracks at which he focuses for a bit. He finally comes back and first scrunches up his face in a funny way that you don't understand, then he gives 6 high peeps and then a small, low growl-like noise. He waits a moment and then repeats this again. You sense some fear from him.
Tamlara sees nothing in particular. She succesfully opens the door quietly and sees this room is full to bursting with a motley collection of cots and other furniture cobbled from scraps of wood and cloth. The stench of rotting food is overpowering. Doors lead to the west
and the north. A riot of broken bits of metal, glass, stone, and other things clutter the room. This chamber looks as much like a trash heap as it does a living area. You see 6 smallish creatures. 4 of them are gathered around 1 table playing apparently a game of dice of some sort, though they are currently caught up in an argument of some sort apparently, while one is laying on a cot and another is sitting at one of the tables.
I'm setting the DC at 12 for them to notice your group since they are semi-distracted. So blue and pink notice that mysteriously the door is now standing open though none of them heard that. What they do notice is a bunch of lights and several humanoids standing around in the hallway. Initiatives! (I'll post that separately).
Yes, yours does, which is why they never heard the door open and actually they didn't notice you. What I'm ruling caught their attention is there are now: Dancing lights (4 torch equivalents), a Light spell, and a lantern - so a total of 6 lights, plus 4 other party members who were not making any kind of stealth checks. You can easily tell by the expressions on the faces of the two creatures who are looking in the direction of the party, that they are able to see the lights, not to mention the rest of the party. They are NOT looking at Tamlara, cause she is just some strange part of the shadows right now. Sorry if I was using 'you' or 'your' in too generic a form. Typically when I say you or your or you're, I'm probably going to be referring to the party as a whole, not specifically to the last person that posted, but I will try to be clearer about that in the future. Ok?
Okey-dokey, though I thought if they were more than 5 feey away from the light source they couldn't see it? I understand they can still see the group, just trying to make sure we have the lighting thing correct.
When Tamlara opens the door, she checks to see which of the creatures seem to have noticed.
I believe he is within 30 feet, so +1 to attack, and I get to add Sneak Attack if phe is surprised.
Edit: sorry about posting this early, I was writing it up and accidentally hit post, hadn't even put my damage on here yet. . . Tamlara Shortbow damage:1d6 ⇒ 2
Hahaha! Sorry! Ok, Tamlara jumped the gun! Things happen. We'll work around it. And in answer to your question about them seeing the light, creatures with darkvision do see the light in its 5ft square. I have added another letter to the lighting sample to try to clarify that creatures with darkvision can see the light sources, but only in the 5ft square that the light is in. This also means that Pink is not surprised, so no sneak attack. So due to the confusion, I'll allow you to change that to one of the surprised ones if you want. *** Now, This is going to be considered a 'partial' surprise round. None of your party is surprised. And the blue and pink bordered ones are not surprised either. The rest of the creatures in the room are surprised and don't get to act this round. Unaware combatants are flat-footed because they have not acted yet, so they lose any Dexterity bonus to AC. BtW, I forgot to mention they are humanoids, I'm going to go ahead and give all of you a knowledge check to see what you know:
So, Initiative order: Aldhranhald, Tangar, Alex, Goblins, Tamlara (who I'll allow to change her target if she wants to sneak attack!) and Boudacia! I'll group all monsters of the same type in one initiative group.
I also totally forgot that I meant to RP a conversation between Alex and Aldhranhald and anyone else who wishes to join in! Since this conversation might possibly affect player's decisions at some point in the very near future (now), I want to post that as well. If anyone wants to wait for this until after this encounter that is fine, let me know.
After the encounter with the Hobgoblin, as the group is walking through the woods, Alex will approach Aldhranhald, "So, Aldhranhald? When we first saw that Hobgoblin back there, I don't know the last part of what you said to it, but I heard you say in common that we meant it no harm? This surprised me very much as everyone around these parts knows that Hobgoblins will try to kill humans on sight, even when badly outnumbered. It just seems to be in their nature. And so, we have come to the point were those of us that live around here at least, believe that defending ourselves, is the only proper solution and that means killing them first when possible. As you may have heard, The best defence is a Good offence! A quote we hear the hellknights use commonly."
Being of very little use having almost no ability to see beyond the end of his nose Aldhranhald slowly steps back to allow those with better vision to direct the combat. Though he keeps his bow at the ready, cradling his quarterstaff in the crook of his elbow ready to be dropped, should that be necessary.
Move action to move, standard action to ready an action to shoot his shortbow at any goblin that shows up within any light source.
So due to the confusion, I'll allow you to change that to one of the surprised ones if you want.
Okay, so I will switch my over-hasty attack to the red one, then. But who has placed the dancing lights? Tamlara is trying to be stealthy, and would not want one in her space as she has no need for it. She would have told Boudacia that as soon as one them moved into her space.
(as Alex) . . . everyone around these parts knows that Hobgoblins will try to kill humans on sight, even when badly outnumbered. It just seems to be in their nature. And so, we have come to the point were those of us that live around here at least, believe that defending ourselves, is the only proper solution and that means killing them first when possible. As you may have heard, The best defence is a Good offence! A quote we hear the hellknights use commonly."
Tamlara hears this and chimes in, "You are correct, to a point, Alex. I would be extremely cautious around any goblins or hobgoblins, ready to defend myself. However, I also want to give each individual a chance, whenever possible, to prove himself unlike the majority of his race. That said, once we get inside the Spire, all bets are off. We are then entering enemy territory. Unless there is a creature there that could be part of another adventuring party, I say we shoot, or charge, first and ask questions later."
So due to the confusion, I'll allow you to change that to one of the surprised ones if you want.
Okay, so I will switch my over-hasty attack to the red one, then. But who has placed the dancing lights? Tamlara is trying to be stealthy, and would not want one in her space as she has no need for it. She would have told Boudacia that as soon as one them moved into her space.
Edit:Switching to red only if pink & blue are not surprised. If all are surprised, I will stay with pink. Oh, and undo the movement. Since she has to choose between shooting or moving during the surprise round, it will be shooting.
The barbarian see that he can't do much, perhaps if he waits he shall find an opportunity to do something ... Let me know ven I haf opportunity to get to those goblins..
Hold action to move to the door when it is freed up
Just as the bolt strikes the red goblin, two other blue and pink goblins will yell "Whakariki!" as loudly as they can, which isn't much really. As they do so they reach for their bows which were leaning on the bench at their side, standing and drawing an arrow.
Maori for goblin:
Invaders!
Up next, Tamlara (who I'll allow to change her target if she wants to sneak attack! or move if she wants to allow Tangar to the front - Though I see no reason Tangar couldn't step past Tamlara on into the room, Boudacia could put her lights in there for him to see) and Boudacia! Then back to the beginning which again goes: Aldhranhald, Tangar, Alex, Goblins, Tamlara, and Boudacia!
Okay, so Tamlara will switch her over-hasty attack to the red one, then. As she attacks, she calls out:"There are six in here!" just loudly enough for her friends nearby to hear. She will not move for the moment.
Tamlara's arrow strikes the goblin right in the center of his back but bounces off his leather armor causing no damage.
In other words, you barely missed penetrating his flat-footed AC! Too bad, between Alex and yourself he woulda been a dead red goblin! - hahaha! dead red ... couldn't help myself!
Up next: Boudacia, and possibly Tangar, with either a standard or a move action each. Then: Aldhranhald, Tangar, Alex, Goblins, Tamlara, and Boudacia, all at full round actions.
Hearing from Tamlara that there are six of the goblins the north-man, quickly, sets down his lantern and moves up and gets in the front of the action. He wants to make sure his axe and shield are between the enemy and them.
Taking the initiative, Tangar gets between the groups.Spells and arrows can pass by him and strike the gobbies.
Ok then! The initiative now stands at: Aldhranhald, Tangar, Alex, Goblins, Tamlara, and Boudacia, all at full round actions. Np more surprised, but 3 of the goblins are still sitting & 1 lying down and no weapons in hand! This ought to be interesting! :D
Tangar roars at the goblin before him exploding into a rage that one might not want to be the target of...
The barbarian raises his axe and brings it down hard on the little Gobbie... it is bloody, it is.. deadly...
Once again Tangar manages to kill his opponent. This time though the ax catches full on the helmet of the little goblin and just completely crushes the little body. No one is going to be able to identify what that used to be. He only had 4 HP left and you did 10!!! My poor lil gobbie! ;)
Now all 5 of the remaining goblins take up the cry of "Whakariki!" The two goblins that had picked up their bows last time, will take a shot each at Tangar.
blue's attack:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
And he misses wildly.
pink's attack:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
He also misses by a wide margin.
The 2 goblins that were still sitting try to stand up getting out from behind the benches they were sitting on and try to pick up their bows and draw arrows at the same time;
But they both used up all their luck in managing to stand up and draw and then fire wildly, not even coming close to Tangar.
The final goblin yellow struggles to get out from under his covers, but takes a little time, so all he manages is to stand, pick up his bow and get ready to fire next round.
I'm not sure what the acrobatics check was for? Moving past Tangar? Not needed. Allies are always considered to allow you to pass. Also, I don't know how you intend to hide? You're moving into the light this time, I can't ignore it. And the rules say you have to have something to be hiding behind, shadows at the very least. No shadows in your movement there. I am going to allow the sneak attack, since they had not previously seen you, and were surprised by your sudden appearance. Not to mention the miserably low rolls you got!
Tamlara moves through the doorway, surprising the goblins and shoots the one that just stood up from the cot square in the chest, penetrating deeply. He appears seriously hurt.
Boudacia? What TYPE of save is that supposed to be? I went to the trouble of looking it up for you. It is a Will save. But please be sure to specify that from now on. (Very tempting here ... I give bonus XP for good things ... maybe I should give an XP penalty for mess-ups like that?)
Yellow gobbie's Will save:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3
Yes, you read that correctly, a minus 1 to their Will saves!
And the goblin that just got up from the cot, suddenly falls back, half on the cot and half on the floor.
Back to the top of the initiative! Aldhranhald, Tangar (@ - 3 HP), Alex, Goblins (Yellow at - 4 HP and unconscious for 1 round), Tamlara, and Boudacia.
And BtW, you can see I placed the 'dead' symbol on the red and the 'unconscious' symbol on yellow.
I would say for the duration of this combat, and perhaps the duration of just about any combat on this floor, Aldhranhald can safely be assumed to be staying in a safe position, and using his standard action every turn to ready an action to shoot anything that he can see. Such is the case now as well. Meaning, if it comes back around to me, Tangar, and you have time to post before I have, please go ahead and do so. As my action will be consistently: ready action to shoot any enemy he can see.
Aldhranhald keeps swiveling his head around for any danger that might come at the group from the back side, his quarterstaff tucked, ready to drop, in the crook of his right elbow, and an arrow nocked in the string of his shortbow, ready to fire.
The barbarian decides he's in a good place, but he also wants to go after the goblins in case they run, quickly he calls to Boudacia.. Boudacia, try to move your lights to cover the goblins, den I can charge into dem to kill the nasty little gobbers..
The north-man will hold his attack until the light is on the goblins, then he will unleash death upon them.
Aldhranhald, in the meantime, you notice that when you all first came in this room, there was some sort of clanking mechanical noises coming from the room to the north of you, but after the fighting and yelling of multiple goblins the noise stopped about a round later.
Two of the goblins blue and pink, having seen their friend smashed to a pulp, get very mad and foolishly decide to drop their bows and charge into fierce combat drawing their swords as they run up and try to avenge their companion.
pink attacking Tangar:1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 2 = 23 roll to confirm crit:1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 2 = 23Damn! He did it! damage:2d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5
The first goblin's sword just barely catches on Tangar's shield, but the second goblin is furious and manages to focus his anger enough to get past Tangar's shield! He even manages to find a vital soft spot in Tangar's armor hurting him badly.
In the meantime, another decides to shoot his bow at the redheaded girl that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
The other goblin tries to fire an arrow at Tangar. Tangar receives a + 4 to AC for partial cover, while the goblin will also take a -4 for firing into melee as I understand it. Tamlara did not get that because she has one entire 'side' of her mini exposed to the gobby.
Tangar and those with darkvision, notice that the two goblins charging seemed to have no trouble what-so-ever moving across the rough terrain of the room.
Taking advantage of the fact that the sleepy goblin is once more asleep, Tamlara moves her attack to his friend at the table, ignoring the two goblins near her:
Tamlara Ranged Attack:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21(light blue)
Boudacia moves to in front of the door. She then emits a lengthy high pitched squeek which says, to those fluent in batspeak, Mexican Full Tailed dialect, "Certainly Tangar, I have illuminated our diminutive foes in accordance with your desires, although one unavoidably remains beyond the range of the light. Further, I have endeavored to facilitate your butchery by systematically reducing these truculent runts to a somnolent state", but is probably to all listening a lengthy high pitched squeak. Boudacia then uses the slumber hex on the "blue" goblin.
Will save DC 15 or falls to sleep for one round or until butchered by a barbarian.
Boudacia. Where the lights are at now, Tangar can NOT see any of them! This will grant the two in front of him a 50% concealment! Keep in mind that when he asked you to move them there was nothing in front of him! I've already been talking with Tamlara on facebook about her post, now do we need to retcon yours? Right now I'm being a nice DM and giving opportunities to ret-con, but eventually, I may have to just go with posts as they come and let you all learn from what I consider to be a mistake. For now, I'll go ahead and post what happens with Tamlara's actions and blue gobbies save.
When Tamlara raises her bow to fire again despite having two goblins right in front of her, they both take advantage of the situation to take a swing at her.
Attack of Opportunity from blue:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 damage:1d4 ⇒ 4
Attack of Opportunity from pink:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
One of them manages to get past her raised bow and stabs her in the stomach hurting her badly!
Blue's Will Save vrs Boudacia's slumber:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16
The goblin gets a slightly confused look on his face for just a second but then shrugs it off.
Thank you Stormstrider for allowing me to correct a stuff up of mine that could have got Tangar killed. I will put the dancing lights where they are now, where Tangar can see fine. I have not struck this situation with light before, and I screwed up.
Yes, I realize this lighting situation is tough and can be difficult to understand, so I am trying to work with all of you. I'm sure Aldhranhald is feeling very frustrated as well! For the sake of helping I took the liberty of moving the lights one more square because where Boudacia had re-adjusted them to, Tangar could still not see pink. As I am sure that was not Boudacia's intent and I suspect a misunderstanding of the lighting I did a DM hand-wave.
I also spoke with Tamlara via facebook and she had posted in the discussion as well, that she did not get a sneak attack this round so her damage was only 4 HP to the light blue. And I just realized I didn't post all the results of Tamlara's actions earlier! Sorry! Here goes:
Despite getting stabbed by one of the goblins in front of her, Tamlara manages to keep her focus enough to fire an arrow at one of the other goblins. Her arrow goes right into his shoulder and out the back hurting him badly! She then manages to roll across the ... cot? - for lack of a better term, - though no person in their right mind would ever sleep in such a filthy thing. She rolls on to the second 'cot' in front of her and crouches on it readying herself to make another attack.
BtW, I just realized, for Tamlara to hide, the 'magical' darkness does not help her since the goblins have darkvision. So, by RAW, she has to have something to hide behind or something along those lines. So, no perception needed to spot her, they just see her as well as they see Tangar.
So, we are back to the top of the initiative again! Aldhranhald, Tangar (@ - 8 HP), Alex, Goblins (Light Blue at - 4 HP, Pink at - 4 HP, Yellow at - 4 HP and waking up this round), Tamlara (at - 4 HP), and Boudacia.
Okay, new lighting rules and light templates in effect immediately. With normal vision, you have to be within the template to be able to see anything. I think the new templates will help make this a lot clearer!
Also, ruling that Tamlara (or anyone wanting to use stealth for that matter!) can use the cots to hide behind. That being said Tamlara can't know which ones do see her and which ones don't, unless they make it obvious:
Secret Perception rolls - DM only!:
Perception for blue goblin:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2 Perception for light blue goblin:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12 Perception for green goblin:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13 Perception for pink goblin:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18 And the yellow one technically wakes up on Boudacia's turn since the slumber lasts 1 rnd. so: Perception for yellow goblin:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10
Aldhranhald, with the new light templates I moved your light to what made sense to me. It allows you to see if something comes through either of those two doors your near. Feel free to change it if you want.
Also, I had forgotten, there's a potential for a little surprise in this room. It is not very important and makes little difference game-wise, mostly just for fun, though it could potentially have an effect on things. So, I need to do a random roll for where that is and I want to keep it documented for me to reference to, so this roll below is for my eyes only! I'll explain it once you have finished this room if it does not come up before that.
surprise:1d6 ⇒ 2
WOW!!! Never mind all the previous! It just came into effect on that roll! I was rolling randomly to see which cot it was located at!
As Tamlara tries to hide behind the cot, she notices the stench here is even stronger than it was elsewhere!
Tamlara Fortitude:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
For just a split moment Tamlara feels like she might get sick from the smell, but she manages to hold it in quite easily. :)
Wow! Those lighting templates are spectacular. Thank you again Stormstrider for all these intensely complex details that make the game easier to understand, and fun to play!
Having noticed a decided stop in some previous mechanical noise, Aldhranhald turns his attention to the door to the north, looking and listening for anything dangerous. He still keeps his bow at the ready, and watches for any threat to enter his limited field of vision.
Perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19That would be a total of 20 when searching for a trap. :)
Thanks Aldhranhald! It is nice to be appreciated! :D And I feel so sorry for you, this encounter has had to be tremendously frustrating!
Aldhranhald does not detect any traps. He does notice it is very quiet in the adjoining rooms. At times he thinks he hears a metallic clank or maybe some sort of mumbling? from the room to the north, but they are very faint. Someone or something is obviously trying to be quiet and not being too successful. ;)
The barbarian roars anew with the cut to his body.. His axe raises and falls once again, this time at the creature which struck him, he doesn't want the other to be emboldened by the success of his friend, but terrified by the fact that actions have consequences.. this thought takes a moment before the little gobbie finds a way to slip past his attack.. the barbarian is not happy and continues his rage..
