The Saxon Wars (Inactive)

Game Master Brian Minhinnick

Reolus crosses himself and begins muttering, "Requiem eternam, dona eis requiem...".

"That sounds wise. Carry on," opines Lo.

Suddenly holding the horses doesn't sound so onerous.

So, if you want to shoot the dogs from the roof through the hole, I'm going to say it's a DC 10 acrobatics check to stand fully and take a shooting stance each round, without falling off the roof. Right now you're sort of crouching with the torch in one hand Gunthar.

So if that's the way you want to go, go ahead and roll me some acrobatics checks and ranged attack rolls. You'll need to also throw the torch down inside for light (which you already said you would).

"It's a bit wobbly up here. Does anyone want to bring me my bow and quiver? While you're up here you could hold me steady, so I don't fall in there."

Considering the circumstances, Lo no longer feels so bad about playing fetch for Gunthar.

"So long as it's you falling in not me," he says with a smile to show he speaks but in jest.

With Gunthar's weapons in hand, Lo begins to climb up to his fellow knight's side.

Climb check: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11

Lo makes the ascent with no difficulty.

Him helping you will give you a +2 on your acrobatics checks.

"Reolus, if I fall in. You're opening that damn door quickly," Gunthar says as he gets ready to fire at the fish in the barrel, er dogs in the barn.

shortbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
acrobatics DC 10: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 = 19 taking 10 if I could

The dogs' ACs are 13 and they have 13 HP. Fire at will.

Can we use rope to tie around Gunthar's waist, such that if he does fall, Lo can pull him back up. If yes, we do that. Then, Gunthar restarts firing.

shortbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
acrobatics DC 10: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 = 19
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
2 arrows and Dog 1 = 7/13

shortbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
acrobatics DC 10: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 2 = 20

3 arrows and Dog 1 = 7/13

shortbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
acrobatics DC 10: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 = 19
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
4 arrows and Dog 1 = 4/13

shortbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
acrobatics DC 10: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 2 = 24
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
5 arrows and Dog 1 = 3/13

shortbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
acrobatics DC 10: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 2 = 22

6 arrows and Dog 1 = 3/13

shortbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

acrobatics DC 10: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9

Gunthar almost puts the first dog down but loses his balance.

7 arrows and Dog 1 = 0/13 and dying

1d100 ⇒ 22

Gunthar falls into the barn!

Gunthar acrobatics check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Falling damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

He falls hard on the dirt twisting his ankle.

I'm headed to sleep soon, but I'll make a map and get a proper combat started in the morning.

Our rope trick didn't work?

Lo does his best to keep himself steady on the barn beside Gunthar. As his fellow Frank fires arrows down upon the unfortunate dogs below, Lo fusses with the rope, trying to determine which would be the most effective knot to secure his companion. He begins with a clove hitch, then changes his mind and begins retying it in a figure of eight. Unfortunately, it’s at this moment that Gunthar decides to throw himself into the barn.

”Oh dear . . .” Lo mutters as Gunthar crashes down into the barn below. ”Hey Reolus, you know what Gunthar said about opening the damn door. Well get to it!”

He then plants his behind down on the soggy thatch and does his best to slide back down to the ground with at least a little grace – intending to join Reolus at the barn door as quickly as possible.

Acrobatics check (if required): 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (5) - 3 = 2

Just waiting to see if Jelani missed the post about the rope, or if it just didn't work. Assuming it didn't...

"Oh no!" Reolus exclaims, leaps from his horse, and yanks the bar from the door.

"Bar's gone!" he shouts through the door.

There's nothing on the roof to tie the rope to. Lo holding it would just result in him falling in too.

I'm going to assume Reolus lit a torch while the bow shenanigans were going on. Otherwise he'd be blind. Now that Lo is no longer on the roof he's also blind, since the only torches are in Reolus's hand and on the barn floor.

Lo, I need you to put your ACs, HP and Saves in the gender or class line of your alias like the others.

I've had Reolus already open the door, before combat begins.

Begin Round 1

One of the dogs leaps at Gunthar, trying to bite him. It grabs a hold of his leg, biting deeply into the meat of his calf.
_______________________________________________________

Initiative
Yellow 21
Gunthar 16+
Orange 16-
Lo 12
Purple 11
Reolus 7

Bite on Gunthar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Hit
Damage to Gunthar: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Gunthar, you're up.

Map

Stat line added.

If sliding off the roof sends Lo into darkness, he'll instead opt to remain where he is and take over Gunthar's role; firing his shortbow into the barn at the dogs or at dogs outside the barn if he has them in view.

Nice map. Are the irregular shapes laying out how far the torchlight extends?

Yeah, what's currently there is only what Gunthar can see. I suppose if you stayed on the roof that you could see most of it as well.

Sorry, I didn't realize it had gotten that dark. Reolus would definitely have lit a torch, probably tossing it to some bare ground within 10 feet of the door.

Round 1

Gunthar struggles to stand and unsheathe his longsword. The wolf dog's bite doesn't penetrate his Roman scale greaves this time. He takes a defensive stance and swings two-handed at the dog.

Then he takes a step back toward the wall to avoid the pack attack.

move action to stand up
AOO from yellow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 miss AC 19
free action to two-hand longsword
fighting defensively: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 3 - 4 = 19 threat
confirm critical: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 4 = 11 probable miss
damage to yellow: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9
5-ft step to N3
Current AC 19 +2=21

In the future, remember AOOs when standing up from prone attack your prone AC. I'll let this time be a miss though.

One of the dogs runs out of the barn and leaps at Reolus, growling and barking.

Orange on Reolus: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Hit
Damage/Trip: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 41d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 Trip Fails

The dog bites into his leg, and tries to pull him to the ground, but he jerks back.

Lo, you're up. You're ~12' off the ground looking down through the hole. If you shoot a bow make a DC 10 acrobatics check or fall off. Jumping down with a DC 15 acrobatics will let you land upright and not take any falling damage.

Map

Thanks for the mercy. My group has never played that way, but I understand why you would. Cheers!

It's because the AOO happens before the triggering action does.

It's because the AOO happens before the triggering action does.

Yes, yes. I do understand why you would play that way. My group always "forgets" to enforce the prone AC penalty for PCs and enemies, because (I think) I long while ago we agreed that the game mechanics around tripping were mean. There's no way to avoid an AOO. You can't roll out of the way or make an Acro check: nothing, just eat it. There was probably a trip build that made the rotating GM blow a gasket, too. Wasn't me, honest. Cheers

Yikes!! Reolus backs up five feat and fights defensively with his spear (this oughta be good...)
Attack, defensively: 1d20 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (6) - 2 - 4 = 0

"Ummm...good doggie?"

AC now 17

Acrobatics check: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (15) - 5 = 10

Cursing merrily, Lo does his best to keep his balance and not follow Gunthar into the barn. Unfortunately, his focus is on being careful rather than his aim, and his shot goes wild, the arrow planting itself with a squelch in the hideously defiled corpse below.

Shortbow attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Taking aim at the 'purple' dog not yet in melee.

Got my RL game for the firs time in months and months today, so I might not get in an update until tomorrow. Thanks for bearing with me.

The last dog in the barn springs towards Gunthar, barking and biting wildly.

Purple on Gunthar (charge): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11 Miss

It can't get through his armor though, and he knocks it back with the pommel of his sword.

Reolus makes a pitiful attempt to ward off the hound trying to eat him.

End of Round 1
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Begin Round 2

The dogs move to flank Gunthar, still snapping at him

Yellow on Gunthar (charge): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Miss

He continues to ward them off, and his armor protects him when he can't.

Gunthar, you're up.

Map

Round 2

Fantastic. Exactly what I wanted to avoid. Pitched fight with wild dogs. Sure those knights can fight. Thoughts stream through Gunthar's mind as he fights defensively.

He sees how close the safety of the wall is, so he steps back and goes on the offense. Gunthar two hands his longsword in a high, downward arc and grounds his blade into the dirt. "Arrggg!" He cries out in frustration.

5 ft step back to N2
attack yellow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Current AC 19

The dog on Reolus follows him, biting at him again.

Orange on Reolus: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

The priest narrowly wards the dog off with his spear.

Lo, you're up.

Map

Lo slips as he releases his arrow . . .

Once again firing at the 'purple' dog.

shortbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

acrobatics: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (2) - 5 = -3

shortbow damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Reolus backs away again, this time ripping rations from his pack and tossing the food someplace away from his horse.

"Go get it," he says in Saxon.

Lo's arrow strikes the dog, glancing off its side and opening up a cut there.

1d100 ⇒ 32

He falls face first into the barn.

Lo acrobatics: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (5) - 5 = 0
Falling damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Location: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Lo, you're prone.

His nose crunches sickeningly as he impacts the dirt. His mind whirls as he lays there, recovering his wits. One of the dogs (purple) leaps forward at Gunthar again, biting at him.

Purple on Gunthar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Miss

The young knight fends off the dog once again. Reolus backs away from the dog again, this time ripping rations from his pack and tossing the food someplace away from his horse. "Holt es," he says in Saxon.

Reolus Handle Animal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

The dog ignores the priest.

End of Round 2
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Begin Round 3

Yellow on Gunthar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Miss

The dogs continue to lunge at Gunthar.

Gunthar, you're up.

Map

Round 3

Gunthar fights the ringing blade back to backswing at the yellow dog.

attack yellow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 threat
confirm critical: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6
Current AC 19

Jelani, Gunthar made a Handle Animal check in here, in order "to estimate if there is a way to save these dogs, or if they must be killed." You never commented, so I figured we had to fight. Considering how Reolus got them to react, I would have suggested to do something different. Ah well. Cheers

The dog ignored Reolus. It's still trying to kill him.

Gunthar's backswing opens the chest of the dog, who falls unconscious and is quickly dying.

The dog on Reolus continues to attack him.

Orange on Reolus: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Miss

The priest successfully wards off the lupine mutt.

Lo, you're up.

Map

Trying his best to ward off the dog, Lo struggles to his feet.

Standard action: total defence (if allowed), Move action: stand up from prone.

Reolus uses the withdraw action, trying to use his 60 feet to circle back to his horse.

Lo stands up, holding his arms up to protect himself. The dog in front of him bites at him as he stands.

Purple on Lo: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 4 = 19 Miss

He pushes the dog back. It lunges forward again refusing to give up its meal, maddened with rage.

Purple on Lo: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Hit
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Trip: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Pass

It tears into Lo's leg, and sweeps him back off his feet.

Outside, Reolus flees from the dog back to his mount's side.

Reolus - You can make it to your horse easily. It was only 30' away. You're just in an open area so no need for a map.

End of Round 3
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Begin Round 4

Gunthar you're up.

Map

Don't forget you guys have healing surges. You can heal yourself as a swift action.

How did the dog miss me with a 19, then subsequently hit with an 18? Total defence should last for one round, giving me a +4 dodge bonus to AC. :-)

Doh. For some reason I only included the dodge bonus when you were standing up. Nevermind then, you are standing and no damage. Total brain malfunction on my part, sorry.

Round 3

His blade and hands still ringing from hitting the ground, Gunthar backswings to catch the dog that put Lo on the floor. Fortunately, he catches the shoulder of the wolfdog and opens a slice to its hindquarter.

attack yellow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
damage to yellow: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10
Current AC 19

The dog outside the barn follows Relous to his horse, snapping at him again.

Orange on Reolus: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Miss

Lo, you're up

Map

Initiative
Gunthar 16+
Orange 16-
Lo 12
Purple 11
Reolus 7

Thanks for the clarification above regarding Lo, DM!

Having scrambled to his feet, Lo keeps his shield between him and the snapping hound and draws his scimitar. With an incoherent shout, which could be mistaken for a battle cry, but in truth has more to do with Lo's terror at being mauled by the savage cur and the nightmarish surroundings, he swings his blade down on the dog's neck in a mighty blow.

Scimitar attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Scimitar damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 2) + 6 = 13
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Drawing your shield is also a move action, since you had your bow out when you fell. But no matter...

Lo cuts the dog's head off with a single slash. The two knights inside the barn can hear snarling from the last dog and whinnying from Reolus's horse outside.

Reolus, you're up. You are adjacent to your horse, and the dog is adjacent to both of you.

-pokes Reolus-