Thirst - A Ravenloft PbP

Game Master Celestial Healer

"Help get them down Eliva. I'll watch with Tiff and Erfan."

Like Erfan, she's got high perception and not the best strength. If another digger is needed, she'll help out of course.

Perception checks from those on watch, please.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 - Perception

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Nathaniel begins chopping at Belanos' post with quick, accurate strokes.

In the absence of a shovel, Res looks for some sort of natural implement suitable for grave digging. Finding a stone he starts moving the soil as Nathaniel chops and the others keep watch.

Perception:1d20 ⇒ 12

With every strike of the axe Tif winces in remembered pain and fear, her shoulders jerking with each thwack of the blade upon wood.

The party sets apart properly interring the impaled remains. Belanos is laid to rest quietly, as are several others. As time wanes on, however, Andrei's information proves true.

Angalia spots, in the distance, a handful of armored figures moving through the woods in the direction of the party. Her vision was acute enough that she is fairly certain she has spotted them before the party has been noticed.

You have adequate time to prepare, flee, or take other actions. We'll say 3 rounds worth of activity before they notice you and come running. Unfortunately, a few remaining bodies are in various states of partial interment (not yet laid in the ground, etc), and that's more than you can do in 20 seconds.

Tif would like to take them out, send a message back to their cruel lord, maybe use an Obscuring Mist to allow us to get the drop on them? But I will abide by everyone else if they wish to avoid conflict.

"Company"

Angalia drops down and gestures to her friends.

"I really hate this. Andrei, if we take out their leader, would these soldiers flee? I don't want to kill anyone like you if I dont' have to."

Nathaniel looks up from his digging, wiping his brow, his expression grim. “Sorry Ange, if we take them we have to kill them all,” he says in a low voice. “We can’t risk word of us getting back up the chain of command. I’m sorry, I don’t like it, but that’s how it is. We flee now, or we kill them all.”

He drops the broken branch he was using as a digging implement and unlimbers his bow, moving behind some foliage to avoid the gaze of the approaching soldiers. Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

"We should fight these soldiers here while their numbers are few. Eventually our handiwork will be discovered, but the longer we can delay that event getting back to the main force the better. We cannot be concerned right now how they came to wear that uniform. Right now, they are the enemy and we must think of them as nothing more."

"Let Gorum's blessing fill you with courage before this fight" Res holds up Gorum's holy symbol and it begins to glow as Gorum's blessing emerges in a 50 foot radius giving everyone a +1 on attack rolls and saves against fear for three minutes. Next, Res says another prayer touches Gorum's holy symbol to his heart. A shimmering magic field surrounds Res and offers its protection. Finally, Res tries to find a hiding place to await the oncoming soldiers. Once in place, he puts a bolt in his cross bow and prepares to attack.

Stealth: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (20) - 4 = 16, used Bless and Shield of Faith both last 3 minutes. Here is an initiative roll in anticipation: Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 13

The gnome scowls at the others, shaking his head as they frantically begin preparations.

"There is a better way," he says bluntly, sighing heavily before racing ahead to meet the approaching soldiers.

I plan to avoid combat entirely. When Erfan is getting close enough to risk detection, he casts vanish to become invisible and then approaches the patrol. Since vanish now lasts a full 3 rounds, he will spend one of those rounds casting sleep on the whole group (DC 18 will save to negate). If the plan fails, 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 for initiative. :)

Nathaniel is willing to flee if that is the consensus, but he is preparing to fight. So round 1, he moves to cover and hides, round 2 he readies his bow and prepares an action to shoot one of the soldiers once they are within 50 feet of his position and clear of cover OR if they appear to spot the party. On the next round (if we have another) he may try to move to a better position if appropriate.

EDIT: Erfan’s plan not withstanding! Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
I can see Erfan getting in over his head quickly here depending on the number of people approaching and their hit dice ... May change my intended actions after the poitn where I take out my bow depending on the reaction - if any - to Erfan's plan.

Angalia heads for cover, keeping low and drawing her dagger.

"Good plan, Erfan."

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 - Stealth to hide
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 - init in case it goes pear-shaped.
Wow. Snake eyes. This is going to go well.

Hm. For some reason, I thought I read that there were 3 soldiers approaching. Re-reading things, I see that this is not necessarily the case and I am hallucinating. Suffice to say that, if the number of soldiers is greater than 3, Erfan abandons his plan and uses the remaining round of invisibility to rejoin the party.

Indeed. As Erfan looks closer, he can clearly see that they are six in number. There are four male foot soldiers accompanied by a female scout with a longbow and a heavily armored officer (so identified by the ornamentation on his armor) with a wicked-looking flail at his waist.

Are the rest of you trying stealth checks or remaining in the open?

Erfan hastily returns to the group and abandons the plan.

Seeing the enemy's numbers, Erfan quickly retreats back to join the others, holding up six fingers and indicating their direction before diving into the shadows.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7. EDIT: S~@!. Three consecutive natural 1s in this thread? DAMN YOU RNG!!! Guess I should roll init too: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3. EDIT #2: ...seriously? FML

Not sure I trust an RNG that produces four 1s in a row for the same group. Anyone would think it wants us to die.

Tif looks back at her companions before moving to gain a more tactical position, without moving too far from the safety of her friends.

Stealth:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Cast Obscuring Mist between their approach and the groups location to allow a better ambush, and hopefully to inspire some fear among them.

Initiative:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Eliva readies her bow and hides herself, aiming to snipe at the scout if they indicate they've seen a party member to try to investigate the half buried bodies. She will activate her precise strike.

Stealth:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 (+1 to attack within 30', her first range increment is doubled to at least 200', so range will be unlikely to enter into the equation.)
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5
-----
In case you want rolls to determine if Eliva would see enough to shoot or not:
Perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Sense Motive:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Init.
Nathaniel 23
Tiff 18
Erfan 16 (Fate, you actually rolled 16 for init the first time around, before your flurry of 1s)
Eliva 15
Res 13
Angalia 8
Waiting on Urdrin.

Sorry for the delay. Things are rather hectic for me at the moment.

Rolling initiative for Urdrin 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13.

The group takes cover in the woods, hiding the sounds of their movements with limited success. As the soldiers approach, they begin to realize something is amiss with the site. With the scout in the lead, they approach the clearing.

Here is what I see happening: Eliva and Nathaniel are essentially doing something of a surprise round – their ranged attacks coming before the soldiers really join combat. The same goes for any spells, including Tiffana’s obscuring mist and Res’s buffs.

Eliva’s arrow strikes true and injures the scout who cries out in pain and surprise.

Nathaniel – roll your ranged attack. Who are you targeting?

Initiatives: Commander 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17, Scout 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18, Soldiers 1d20 ⇒ 7.

I’m having trouble with the map. I will have it up shortly. In the meantime, Nathaniel, roll your attack.

Once that is done, initiative will be:
Nathaniel
Tiffana
Scout
Commander
Erfan
Eliva
Urdrin
Res
Angalia
Soldiers

Nathaniel sights along his arrow at one of the foot soldiers and lets fly.

Aiming for one of the foot soldiers – probably one towards the rear if possible, but definitely want one within 70 feet and without concealment if possible. 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7.
I have included human favoured enemy bonuses (+2 to hit and damage) in the above rolls.

Nathaniel's arrow also strikes true, injuring one of the soldiers (Soldier 1). Tiffana evokes a mist, obscuring the area around the party.

MAP

Green areas are wooded and contain trees. The white area in the middle is the clearing. The squares that are boxed in are Tiffana's obscuring mist spell. The "ad" is Andrei, your guide, who doesn't look like he is going to join in the fight if he can help it.

Nathaniel
Tiffana
Scout
Commander
Erfan
Eliva
Urdrin
Res
Angalia
Soldiers

Nathaniel steps forward towards the edge of the clearing and fires again, this time at the scout.

Move to N15, fire at scout: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Edit: Crit confirm roll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 Extra Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 6) + 8 = 19

Eliva slips stealthily behind Nathaniel and fires at the enemy again.

Eliva moves to N-14. If the scout is still up, Eliva will fire on the scout. Otherwise Eliva will fire on anyone in the clearing. If no one is in the clearing, she will ready an action and shoot at the next enemy to enter the clearing.
Stealth:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 (if the green is difficult terrain, this is at -5!)
Attack:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 (+1 within 30')
Damage:1d8 ⇒ 2 (+1 within 30')

*pouts* She didn't even get a shot.

Nathaniel's aim is astounding, as his arrow pierces the scout in the throat. She sputters and collapses to the ground.

Eliva - you're a little ahead, but can keep those rolls when the time comes. If things change and you want to revise your actions, you may do so.

Also - don't forget Res's bless.

Tiffana
Commander
Erfan
Eliva (posted)
Urdrin
Res
Angalia
Soldiers
Nathaniel

Move to H-19 as she readies her light crossbow.

"Kill them all. If you can, kill their mothers too!

I love that line, been dying to use it. ;)

Stunned by the sudden slaying of his scout, the commander cries out to his soldiers, "After them! Bring those scoundrels to justice!"

He waits for his soldiers to advance ahead of him. (Delay)

MAP

Erfan
Eliva (posted)
Urdrin
Res
Angalia
Soldiers
Commander
Nathaniel
Tiffana

The gnome scurries forward through the brush and intones a potent spell at the approaching soldiers, causing the very plants and shrubs around them to writhe with hungry ambition.

Move to P-15 and cast entangle centered on F-G/5-6. Should snag the whole pack of 'em. Reflex DC 16.

Soldiers 1-4 1d20 ⇒ 9, 1d20 ⇒ 20, 1d20 ⇒ 20, 1d20 ⇒ 9. Commander 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

At Erfan's command, the vegetation rises up to snare the Falkovnian soldiers.

Eliva unleashes an arrow, which further wounds one of the soldiers. I applied your attack to S1, since he had already been wounded.

MAP

Urdrin
Res
Angalia
Soldier 1 (Entangled)
Soldier 2
Soldier 3
Soldier 4 (Entangled)
Commander (Entangled)
Nathaniel
Tiffana
Erfan
Eliva

Move between Tiff and Res to I18.
Chuck dagger at wounded S1 with CA as he hasn't acted yet.
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 - not sure on the distance, but guessing she's attacking at +2 with another +2 for CA
1d4 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + (4, 4) = 11

Angalia slips between Tiffana and Res and aims for the throat. Although she knows Nathanaiel is right, she feels more and more that this land is corrupting every good instinct.

Let's make this fast at least. I suppose if we kill cleanly it's better than what will happen to them if we don't.

Move diagonally to H16

Res darts out of Tiffana's obscuring mist through the clearing and back into the wooded area. He takes careful aim at soldier 2 who seems to have successfully avoided Erfan's vegetation attack. He pulls the trigger and lets a bolt fly.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Angalia's dagger strikes true, slaying the soldier. Res, however, has less success, as his bolt misses its mark.

MAP

Urdrin
Res (posted)
Angalia (posted)
Soldier 2
Soldier 3
Soldier 4 (entangled)
Commander (entangled)
Nathaniel
Tiffana
Erfan
Eliva

*Urdrin waits until the closest soldier is in range of a charge and then he charges*

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Eliva creeps slowly through the underbrush, circling the glade, keeping her bow trained on the approaching soldiers.

Eliva is moving 5' per round around the edge of the glade. Her next step is to o-13. She is readying an action to shoot the first soldier that steps into the glade.
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14 (+1 from bless, additional +1 if within 30')
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5 (+1 if within 30')
(Note: if the soldier doesn't see through her stealth, they're flat-footed)

Urdrin - I will count that as a readied action. Eliva - It's not your turn yet, so you can't ready an action, but you can use those rolls on your turn if you like.

The soldiers advance through the entangling undergrowth.

Saves for soldiers 2 and 3 for ending their turns in the entangle spell: 2 1d20 ⇒ 14, 3 1d20 ⇒ 16

At this point, Urdrin, you have to decide if you are willing to charge into the entangle spell to complete your readied action, otherwise you won't be able to attack.

Nathaniel
Tiffana
Erfan
Eliva
Urdrin
Res
Angalia
Soldier 2 (entangled)
Soldier 3
Soldier 4 (entangled)
Commander (entangled)

Nathaniel feels numb after seeing the scout fall to his arrow. Certainly he’d intended a killing shot, had understood the need to take these soldiers out quickly and efficiently ... but an arrow through the throat from an unseen sniper, that was no way he’d choose to die. He tried to take solace from the fact that she would have felt little pain. In a corner of his mind the thought occurred that he was getting very good at killing people.

He took aim at the next soldier, trying to choose a target who did not appear to be completely entangled by Erfan’s magic. Effective as the spell and their ambush was, this was turning into more of a slaughter than a battle.

Fire arrow at soldier 3. 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Effective as the spell and their ambush was, this was turning into more of a slaughter than a battle.

You're not kidding, there.

Tiffana
Erfan

The young woman takes a second to line up her crossbow, feeling only a flicker of pity before she squeezes the lever.

Crossbow: target #41d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Dmg1d8 ⇒ 6

Nathaniel Greenfellow wrote:

Effective as the spell and their ambush was, this was turning into more of a slaughter than a battle.

You're not kidding, there.

Entangle is an excellent spell in outdoor areas at low levels. However, keep in mind that those affected can attempt a Strength or Escape Artist check as a move action to break free on their turn – this may be especially relevant for the commander (I’m not sure if you remembered to make those rolls on their turn).

Urdrin will still go ahead and attack

Urdrin will still go ahead and attack

You’ll presumably need to throw a reflex save in there to avoid being entangled.

Entangle is an excellent spell in outdoor areas at low levels. However, keep in mind that those affected can attempt a Strength or Escape Artist check as a move action to break free on their turn – this may be especially relevant for the commander (I’m not sure if you remembered to make those rolls on their turn).

That was calculated. It only makes sense to do the Strength or Escape Artist check if you can get out of the area of the spell. Otherwise, you end up breaking free and then having to make another save, possibly being re-entangled. Instead, I had them double move. The entangled ones will try to break free once they've gotten out of the area. It's what I would do if I was a PC in the same situation.

Urdrin Ironhaft wrote:

Urdrin will still go ahead and attack

You’ll presumably need to throw a reflex save in there to avoid being entangled.

Yep. Urdrin - DC 16 Reflex save to avoid being entangled.

Urdrin charges at the soldier, injuring him.

Tiffana's crossbow bolt similarly hits its mark.

MAP

Erfan
Eliva (posted?)
Res
Angalia
Soldier 2 (entangled)
Soldier 3
Soldier 4 (entangled)
Commander (entangled)
Urdrin
Nathaniel
Tiffana

Nathaniel Greenfellow wrote:

Entangle is an excellent spell in outdoor areas at low levels. However, keep in mind that those affected can attempt a Strength or Escape Artist check as a move action to break free on their turn – this may be especially relevant for the commander (I’m not sure if you remembered to make those rolls on their turn).

That was calculated. It only makes sense to do the Strength or Escape Artist check if you can get out of the area of the spell. Otherwise, you end up breaking free and then having to make another save, possibly being re-entangled. Instead, I had them double move. The entangled ones will try to break free once they've gotten out of the area. It's what I would do if I was a PC in the same situation.

Ah ... yes, that’s probably a better idea.

Res stows his cross bow and reaches for his holy symbol. "Mighty Gorum, let my enemies hear your thunder." A burst of sound erupts next to soldier #4 and spreads out 10 feet damaging everyone in the area.

Sound Burst originating at G10 and effecting Soldiers 4, 3 and the commander. Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7 sonic damage + each one must make a DC 15 Fortitude Save or they are stunned for one round.

Yes, I posted ahead of time because I can usually only post once a day or so. The situation may change, but I think I took into account most of what could happen (barring spellcasting, that's always hard to predict!) Her general plan is to move 5' (20' with difficult terrain and stealthing) and shoot each round until the enemy closes, then get a flank with an ally and use her precise strike with her gauntlets.

Eliva's arrow misses the heavily armored soldiers.

Saves: 4 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7, 3 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5, Commander 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

At the heavy boom of Gorum, the two already wounded soldiers fall, clutching their ears, and expire. Their commander looks angry.

Erfan
Eliva (posted)
Res (posted)
Angalia
Soldier 2 (entangled)
Commander (entangled)
Urdrin
Nathaniel
Tiffana

I'm starting to feel bad for these guys.

Does the entanglement mean Angalia gets CA by any happy chance?