The Ironfang Invasion: Fangs of War

Game Master vayelan

On second thought, @Aaron noted we have no idea how big the valley is, so it might be best to hold off until we have a little more information before we start expending all of our resources. If the camp ends up empty, we don’t know how long it will take to get to the next section, and I don’t want to be out of resources when we need them, and it doesn’t look like anyone else is doing any short term preparation, so please ignore the last paragraph of my above post (where I was “thinking” about some buffs). Instead of that, when we are a moment away, I’ll toggle wand heightened awareness.

I'll hedge my bets as stated in discussion, and use one Heroism and Heightened awareness on myself just in case we run into trouble early. If it takes a long time to travel, it's just one level 2 slot lost. Aaron can easily spread around morale bonusses when he needs to, as well.

The encampment sits a little more than a mile away from the entrance of the valley, so you march forward through the fog and wisely wait until you are closer to begin your preparations for a potential battle. Thorek's keen eyes pierce the fog, and your other collective skills ensure that no accidents befall you during the hike across the valley.

The blur of light that marks the sun through the fog is creeping higher in the sky by the time you reach the camp site.

A handful of hastily built wooden buildings stand abandoned amid a sea of tent poles and tattered canvas hanging listlessly in the wet air. Hard-trodden earth and dozens of firepits speak to an army of hundreds - perhaps thousands - having recently occupied this eerily quiet military camp. Black stones piled higher than a tree fill a circle at the camp's center.

Coming to a sudden halt and raising his hand indicate a need for silence, Thorek points in the direction of the sound and holds up three fingers--taking an educated guess at the number of creatures that might be wandering the camp.

Nodding, Aaron glanced aroud the group. "How do you prefer to fight? A straightforward rush or do we send a scout first?"

Aaron is fine with either. I think the optimal play might be for whoever is best in stealth, probably Grenwold, to go see what it is, guesstimate if the creatures are open to diplomacy and if not go into combat right away with buffs up.

Following along quietly, Daria says, ”What manner of creatures do you sense, Thorek?”

She looks for signs of the creatures as she waits patiently.

Perception: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (13) + 29 = 42

Survival: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26

Happy to scout, my bonuses aren't phenomenal but I can boost them temporarily when I get close. @Vayelan, please let me know if scouting is possible and I'll toggle stealth mode (as long as I can avoid using too many rounds) before sneaking up to take a look.

"We sometimes scout ahead using some of my magic to help Aaron," Lily replies quietly looking at the camp.

I can cast invisibility on someone to help

Daria identifies the footprints as belonging to a group of ogres. Based upon minute differences in the size and depth of the prints, she counts out about ten distinct individuals who have been using this camp.

Stopping to listen intently through the fog, Daria and Thorek estimate that there are about six ogres currently scattered around the camp, with the rest likely out hunting in other parts of the valley.

Ten ogres - I doubt we can negotiate. Might be easier if we just went straight at them with as much surprise as we can muster. The only other reason to scout more would be if we thought there was another enemy hidden, and we wanted to prepare. Otherwise, I don’t even know if it’s worth the resources of an invisibility. @Everyone Want to just move into the town and go after them? We should have some element of surprise, depending on how perceptive they are. I definitely would give myself heightened awareness, Thorek feather step, and hand out broken wing gambit and outflank, but if they’re ogres it might not take much more in terms of resources. If everyone wants me to scout, I will, but it might make Valeyan’s life easier if we just went after them. Just a thought!

Note, Valeyan, that Gren also is pretty careful about tracking too - he’ll take 10 for 36 as they go until it gets unfeasible. Looking for signs of non-ogres. If there’s nothing, don’t worry about it - I’m happy to move on and get to fighting.

As Daria presumably reports back, Thorek scowls. "Ogres? Ugh, might be more auxiliaries to the Legion, or just local opportunists. Or deserters, which I suppose count as both." He begins to twirl his dorn-dergar in a seemingly lazy figure-eight. "Any reason we shouldn't hit them hard now and scatter them?"

Grenwold’s small face is expressionless, ”no. We need to get access to the camp.” He retrieves a bit of parchment from his back and looks around, before sketching out a map. Without looking up, he says ”I’ve killed giants before.”

"Ten ogres, you say? A good warmup, if anything! Just a little bit of magic to tip the scales, and we should be good to go." Aaron says, not particularly concerned about this news and assenting to an agressive approach.

I am assuming the party agrees with assault as the approach, if not then he doesn't do the following:

Drawing upon his innate magical abilities, he bestows a sense of hope and rightenousness on the group. They *would* break through whatever monsters tried to imprese their progress into the valley! After that, another few words have his form blur and split into seven copies of himself, warping and weaving through another!

Mirror images: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Seven Mirror Images. He also casts Good Hope, which grants everyone a +2 morale bonus to attack, damage, all saves, skills and initiative checks for 10 minutes. He will give up his own heightened awareness to get another +4 so his next init roll is at +14.

Daria does indeed report her findings. She says, ”Though they are not know for their tactical brilliance, ogres can be dangerous if well-coordinated by a strong leader. Let us try and draw them out if we can—a frontal assault is fine—so they might tip their hand should they have a trap prepared for interlopers.”

Daria Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Grenwold Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Moved Grenwold next to Thorek. Ringo has bodyguard, so will defend anyone as appropriate with aid another to add +3 to AC due to the helpful trait (from additional traits). So, pre-rolling bodyguard rolls as aid another, only 1 fails.

No 1s, so Ringo can aid up to 6 times, aiding any adjacent target's AC (including Gren's) by 3. According to the map, this is only Gren and Thorek. Of course, it only works within the context of aid another, so Gren has to be in range with both the enemy and ally (probably not likely with ogres!).

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

init: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

Remember everyone has +2 from good hope!

init: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23
Sorry about the delay I've been pretty ill recently

[dice=init]1d20+4+2

Sorry about the delay I've been pretty ill recently

I hope you're feeling better now. My kids each brought home a different illness from daycare and passed it around to my wife and I, so we've been pretty sick, too, so I can definitely empathize.

Anyhow, Aaron and Lily can act before the ogres, but since the ogres are unawares right now, the rest of the party can also post actions.

"Hm. Fog makes for difficult fights," Aaron says, "As inscrutible as the many songs attributed to it. But who am I to not pay tribute?"

He smiles as he walks forward and begins to sing and then sing as the words seemed to gain power , a palpable vibration in the air that hung both around him and the companions he directed it to, creating an odd sensation that something unseen was there with him, dancing around his words and watching over the group as he did.

"The fog is finally lifting
Now we're seeing clearly
Religion got it twisted
Thought they knew, but missed it
Spent their time just searching
Codex pages turning
But You are not to be learned
You are not a doctrine

We already know You
For You live inside us
You are captivating us
We already see You
For everything we are
Is full of who You are

The veil has finally lifted
For so long we've drifted
Thought that You were angry
Thought we were evicted
Couldn't see Your nature
Fearful of the future
Waiting for the rapture
When were never more here."

Aaron's 'surprise round' is to cast Moment of Greatness on everyone from his wand. During his actual turn, he moves a little ahead of the group and starts his Bardic Performance as a swift (inspire courage). Assuming no other morale or competence bonusses are present on other party members, the total bonus of Good Hope + Inspire courage is a +5 bonus to hit and damage rolls (3 competence, 2 morale), an extra +1d6 sonic damage to all weapon damage rolls and a +2 morale bonus to all saving throws, skills and ability checks.

Everyone can, once in the next minute, choose to use the moment of greatness buff to get an extra +2 to any attack, skill, damage roll or saving throw when you roll it.

Once slightly in front, he Readies a Grease spell for an ogre to come into view out of the mist. DC 18 reflex save or fall prone. Aaron has 7 mirror images as rolled above in case something focus fires him. If he has a surprise round action his first standard does nothing as he doesn't want to waste the spell.

Daria follows the others, conjuring a Flaming Sphere into the fog. She rolls it around, ready to slam it into any ogres they see.

I'll do [url=https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/a/ashen-path/]ashen path for everyone, if they step near me (I have to be in touch range to distribute it). I'll 5' step south to be closer to Aaron and Lily.[/ooc]

Daria is happy to step close to receive the spell.

"Angradd bless us in our holy work!" Thorek cries with a prayer on his lips, sending a surge of miraculous energy over his allies.

Waiting for the Ashen Path buff. Casting Blessing of Fervor and choosing the speed bonus for myself this time, then advancing into the camp.

Sorry for the delay, and the typo in my post - Ashen Path is now up, so we can see 60’ in fog for 10 minutes (including Ringo) - Ringo, Gren, and Lily can see for 20 minutes instead of 10 (not extending it this time).

Grenwold concentrates and whispers a few words in Sylvan, and everyone’s eyes sharpen.

Sorry for the delay, and the typo in my post - Ashen Path is now up, so we can see 60’ in fog for 10 minutes (including Ringo) - Ringo, Gren, and Lily can see for 20 minutes instead of 10 (not extending it this time).

Grenwold concentrates and whispers a few words in Sylvan, and everyone’s eyes sharpen.

A careful reading of Ashen Path leads me to the conclusion that it might not work for non-magical fog. If Gren has seen this fog being sort of Omni-present (and nonmagical) I’m thinking there’s no point and we might as well just head in.

Standard: Spend panache and grant everyone Improved Feint Partner
[spoiler]Whenever an ally who also has this feat successfully feints against an opponent, that opponent provokes an attack of opportunity from you.

Move: Just stand where I am

Lily quickly barks out instructions about how to respond to the giants when they quickly approach. "Listen if we focus fire on the one we can take them out before they really start damaging us," she calls out quickly

I'm going to rule that Ashen Path allows you to see through this natural fog. If the spell has the power to pierce magical fog, then it should be capable of besting ordinary fog. Plus, the AP book says it has the same effect as Fog Cloud, so it stands to reason that it would similarly be affected by Ashen Path.

You can hear rumbling and grumbling, punctuated by short shouts in a dialect of the Giant tongue - cluing Grenwold that the ogres have heard Aaron's performance and Thorek's booming prayer and are moving the "smash the intruders."

Ogre Boss reflex vs Grease: 1d20 ⇒ 6

The first of the ogres emerges, both as it draws closer to Thorek and as Grenwold's magic peels back the obfuscation of the fog from your eyes. Aaron unleashes his magical grease in the brute's path, and his broad feet slip out from under him - leaving him prone on the ground only a few feet from Thorek.

Five more ogres stomp out from among the camp ruins, hauling a mix of greatswords and greatclubs, to find who's been making noise in the fog.

[ooc]Lily can take her turn before the ogres, but if she wants to wait until the ogres come closer into range, she can delay until after their turns.
Thorek, Grenwold, and Daria can also take their turns after the ogres advance.

Daria rolls the flaming sphere she cast last round into the greasy ogre to Thorek’s left.

(Move Action, may interact with grease?)
Flaming Sphere DC 19 reflex to avoid fire damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 1) = 5

She then swirls her arms dramatically and calls down a stroke of lightning from the sky, cutting through the fog and striking the same downed ogre!

(Standard action Call Lightning Storm)

Bolt 1 of 11, DC 22 reflex for half damage: 5d10 ⇒ (1, 3, 6, 5, 3) = 18

As hulking shapes begin to loom around him in the fog, Thorek grins and brings his dorn-dergar to bear, a battle-prayer on his lips and the foes' kneecaps in his sights.

Fervor Point to cast Divine Favor on himself (+3atk/dmg) then full attack the ogre to Thorek's right on the map, using Channel Fervor's extra attack bonus this time.
Attack #1: 1d20 + 14 + 3 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 3 + 5 = 41 Damage: 1d10 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27
Attack #2: 1d20 + 9 + 3 - 3 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 3 - 3 + 5 = 21 Damage: 1d10 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27
Attack #1: 1d20 + 14 + 3 - 3 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 3 - 3 + 5 = 36 Damage: 1d10 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32

If any of those attacks brings down Right Ogre, Thorek would 5ft step and make any remaining attacks against Left Ogre

Gentle reminder that all physical attackers have mad bard buffs. +5 hit and +5 and +1d6 damage. !

Ah, I was missing the extra d6 but I did include the +5
Bonus Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Bonus Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Bonus Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 3
haha, nice

Grenwold's mouth is a thin line as he spies the bevy of enemies. He focuses for the briefest moment before manifesting a glimmer of defensive magic on himself, then, frowning, spurs Ringo to strike at the closest enemy. When he gets close enough, he strikes out with as powerful a blow as he can, slicing down with his scimitar. This provokes, but his AC should be 32-35 if Ringo successfully uses bodyguard. Will roll bodyguard in Ringo's post.

attack, outflank (always up when riding Ringo), charge, Aaron's buffs, power attack: 1d20 + 12 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 = 40
damage, aaron's buffs, power attack, sneak attack (if applicable): 1d4 + 3 + 5 + 6 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 5 + 6 + (3) + (5) = 23
attack (confirm), outflank (always up when riding Ringo), charge, Aaron's buffs, power attack: 1d20 + 12 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 = 40
damage, aaron's buffs, power attack: 1d4 + 3 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 5 + 6 = 16

Outflank provokes a critical hit from Ringo (and probably Thorek)

Ringo snorts as he takes off like a bolt with Gren, crashing his gleaming horns into the ogre. Ringo has powerful charge (scaled down from 2d6 to 1d8 because he's medium).

attack (bodyguard - aid another requires hitting AC 10), outflank, charge, Aaron's buffs, power attack: 1d20 + 16 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 16 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 = 27 Success - bodyguard works on the charge.

attack, outflank, charge, Aaron's buffs, power attack: 1d20 + 16 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 16 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 = 27
damage, aaron's buffs, power attack, powerful charge: 1d8 + 7 + 5 + 1d6 + 6 + 1d8 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 5 + (3) + 6 + (8) = 36

attack (AOO #2 triggered by outflank), outflank, charge, Aaron's buffs, power attack: 1d20 + 16 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (6) + 16 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 = 30
damage, aaron's buffs, power attack, powerful charge: 1d8 + 7 + 5 + 1d6 + 6 + 1d8 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 5 + (5) + 6 + (4) = 35

Bodyguard should be up for 4 more attacks this round, so Gren's AC should be 35 against the first four attacks.

Ringo wobbles a bit, and seems unsteady, but Thorek realizes that the deer is somehow making itself vulnerable to attack via broken wing gambit. If an ogre attacks Ringo and an enemy is within reach, it's AOO time (Gren might not be within reach but Thorek might be). Gren does not Broken Wing himself, but Ringo's DR usually does a lot of work.

After all of that I forgot I can have another animal focus up on Gren with the same swift action. I’m out of practice. I’ll make it Bull focus plus turtle focus because it wouldn’t have affected the turn much (+4 damage with the crit).

I missed your message DM but I'll stay where I am in initiative.

Sorry, I missed the map. Aaron moved forward a bit so that he is near the front but behind thorek and gren.

Thorek, Grenwold, and Ringo would wipe out the two foremost ogres with their attacks.
Does Daria want to redirect her Flaming Sphere and Call Lightning on one of the next closest ogres?

Thorek, Grenwold, and Ringo would wipe out the two foremost ogres with their attacks.

Does Daria want to redirect her Flaming Sphere and Call Lightning on one of the next closest ogres?

Sure, just have the flaming sphere and lightning bolt aim at the next closest living ogre.

Ogre Boss Reflex vs Flaming Sphere: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Ogre Boss Reflex vs Lightning: 1d20 ⇒ 11

The next ogre stomping down the path can't see well enough to evade the fire and lightning that intercepts him, leaving his bulky body wracked with pain.

Aaron and Lily can act at the top of the new round before the remaining ogres.

Aaron smiles as Thorek and Gren sped onward and completely destroy the nearest few ogres. "Ah, the vigor of the long-lived. Well struck, both."

Stepping out from behind the two, Aaron takes his starknife and twirles it in his hand, faster and faster until it spins seemingly impossible fast, after which he confidently throws it straight into the mist! "Of course, I have a few tricks as well. Let's see if I still have it..."

Desna's shooting star (advanced benefit) 1d4: 1d4 ⇒ 4
attack, IC +3, GH +2, -2 range increment, vs FF?: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24
damage, magic piercing adamantine with 4d6 sonic: 4d4 + 4d6 + 52 ⇒ (4, 1, 1, 2) + (4, 2, 5, 2) + 52 = 73
Gallant inspiration?: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

If the attack roll of 24 misses (maybe vs flat-footed as the ogre presumable doesn't see the attack coming in the mist), he uses Gallant Inspiration on himself, which grants an additional 4 to hit, so it'd be 28 to hit total. The reason the damage is so high is that he rolls a d4, and as a full-round he throws the starknife, which hits that many times. So on a 4 the one attack roll deals damage of four attacks.

if it hits:

A scream follows from said fog bank, after which the starknife flies back to his hand, covered in blood! "I still have to figure something out about the mess. One of these days..." He says as he wipes the blood on a cloth.

Even without the aid of the Ashen Path to pierce the fog, the fire and lightning commanded by Daria provides an illumination that practically paints a target on the next ogre.

Aaron's starknife flurry flashes among the light and fog, and the burned ogre succumbs to the proverbial death by a thousand cuts.

Lily can act next.

Botting Lily. Hope I get her modifiers right.

An arrow from Lily whizzes past the party members at the front line and buries itself in the stomach of one of the ogres, who never sees the shooter thanks to the fog.

The foremost two ogres stumble out from the fog, and as Thorek and Grenwold's shapes come vaguely into view, the brutes swing with sword and club. The two heroes are easily able to deflect or dodge the wild attacks, though.

The party can act again.

With no one seemingly injured on her side, Daria sends flaming sphere and lightning bolt at the injured ogre just hit by Lily’s arrow.

Flaming Sphere DC 19 reflex to avoid fire damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 6) = 13

Bolt 2 of 11, DC 22 reflex for half damage: 5d10 ⇒ (3, 6, 4, 5, 1) = 19

Grenwold and Ringo step over towards both of the ogres, and gestures for Thorek to take the western one. Will roll bodyguard in Ringo's post.

With barely a gesture, Ringo's antlers and hooves ignite, singing the grass below, but Gren just focuses on his one foe. Targeting the left one.

attack, outflank (always up when riding Ringo), strength focus, Aaron's buffs, power attack: 1d20 + 12 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 = 32
damage, strength focus, Aaron's buffs, power attack, sneak attack (if vulnerable to such): 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 5 + 6 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 + 5 + 6 + (6) + (5) = 28
attack, iterative, outflank (always up when riding Ringo), strength focus, Aaron's buffs, power attack: 1d20 + 12 - 5 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 12 - 5 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 = 27
damage, strength focus, Aaron's buffs, power attack, sneak attack (if vulnerable to such): 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 5 + 6 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 + 5 + 6 + (6) + (1) = 24

If one hits, activate broken wing gambit on Gren, which should provoke AOOs from Thorek and Ringo (maybe??) if Gren gets attacked.

No crits, Ringo next!

Ringo's flaming hooves and horns lash out at the ogre, and Ringo seems to act with intent and focus, and tries to trip up the Ogre he's facing.Also targeting left one. Activating "Tangling attack" hunter's trick as a free action. If Ringo hits, the ogre is entangled.

gore, outflank, Aaron's buffs, power attack: 1d20 + 16 + 4 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 16 + 4 + 5 - 3 = 42
damage, aaron's buffs, power attack, fire focus: 1d8 + 7 + 5 + 1d6 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 5 + (2) + 6 + (2, 5) = 31

hoof, outflank, Aaron's buffs, power attack: 1d20 + 11 + 4 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 4 + 5 - 3 = 29
damage, aaron's buffs, power attack, fire focus: 1d3 + 3 + 5 + 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 5 + (2) + 3 + (1, 2) = 19

hoof, outflank, Aaron's buffs, power attack: 1d20 + 11 + 4 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 4 + 5 - 3 = 21
damage, aaron's buffs, power attack, fire focus: 1d3 + 3 + 5 + 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 5 + (6) + 3 + (3, 2) = 23

gore confirm, outflank, Aaron's buffs, power attack: 1d20 + 16 + 4 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (9) + 16 + 4 + 5 - 3 = 31
damage, aaron's buffs, power attack, fire focus: 1d8 + 7 + 5 + 1d6 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 5 + (1) + 6 + (3, 1) = 24

Bodyguard should be up for 5 more attacks this round, so Gren's AC should be 35 against the first five attacks, though Grenwold also used Broken Wing Gambit.

If Ringo Crits...Gren and Thorek might get AOOs

attack, outflank (always up when riding Ringo), strength focus, Aaron's buffs, power attack: 1d20 + 12 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 4 + 2 + 5 - 3 = 22
damage, strength focus, Aaron's buffs, power attack, sneak attack (if vulnerable to such): 1d4 + 3 + 2 + 5 + 6 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 + 5 + 6 + (2) + (2) = 22

But that probably misses from Grenwold.
Ringo wobbles a bit, and seems unsteady, but Thorek realizes that the deer is somehow making itself vulnerable to attack via broken wing gambit. If an ogre attacks Ringo and an enemy is within reach, it's AOO time. Both seem to use Broken Wing this round.

You got the modifiers right. Its just she provokes AOOs from everyone she gave the teamwork feat work also.
Move: Move
Standard: Ranged feint on bottom left. bluff: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (18) + 23 = 41 If successful provokes AOOs from party against it.

Lily carefully fires an arrow at one of the giants providing a massive distraction to allow her allies to attack.

Gren and Ringo's regular attacks would demolish the ogre on the left. I'll redirect Daria's spells and Lily's arrow at the right one, so I'm presuming that Thorek, Gren, and Ringo would get AoOs on that one.

Ogre reflex vs flaming sphere: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Ogre reflex vs lightning: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Grenwold and Ringo just about bowl over the ogre busy trying to rip Lily's arrow from his stomach. They utterly trample the brute into a horrid mess.

Daria's magic burns and fries the ogre just beside that one, momentarily stunned by what just happened to his tribemate, leaving him well wounded.

This also leaves him very susceptible to Lily's latest feint, resulting in an exploitable opening in the ogre's defenses.