Tomb of the Emperor Gods -- PbP

Game Master Tarren Dei

The sand stops even more suddenly than it began. The source of the wind simply ceases and the flying grains of sand drop to the ground with a 'whish' sound.

You are all within the 40 ft. diameter circle formed by the sand with Refina, Sykala, and one of the men you rescued at the center. They are surrounded by the four 'feather-men' who could hear them, but not quite see them. The 'feather-men,' for their part are surrounded by Ixius, Korian, and Ovirid, who were cautiously entering the circle of sand when the sand dropped.

Since about 9 rounds have passed and you have not been in active combat for most of that time, I am going to call for a new round of initiative rolls. (I recall Korian suggesting that one person could roll for the party but I leave that up to you to decide. I'd rather not do it.)

initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Initiative: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Initative

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

I would suggest then that whoever is the first to respond just roll for everyone, does that work for all?

Initiative: 1d20+5

I would suggest then that whoever is the first to respond just roll for everyone, does that work for all?

Fine with me. Also how close together are the 4 men?

Initiative: 1d20+5

I would suggest then that whoever is the first to respond just roll for everyone, does that work for all?

That's fine. Do they apply everyone's initiative bonuses to the resulting roll? Or does the party act on the best initiative?

For now, my initiative is 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

The men are clustered in two pairs: one pair at 3:00 and the other pair at 11:00. Ixius and Korian are behind the men at 11:00. Ovirid is behind the men at 3:00. Sykala, Refina, and the other guy are in the center.

Initiative Order Round 1
Refina (25)
Korian (19)
Ovirid (19)
Sykala (19)
Four Men (16)
Ixius (14)

Korian Allande wrote:

Initiative: 1d20+5

I would suggest then that whoever is the first to respond just roll for everyone, does that work for all?

That's fine. Do they apply everyone's initiative bonuses to the resulting roll? Or does the party act on the best initiative?

For now, my initiative is 1d20 + 3

I've put this on the bottom of Korian's profile page for easy access for whoever's first to post Initiative whenever Tarren requests it. (With the missing bracket thingy. What is that square bracket called anyway, anyone know?? That question has literally never occurred to me before. Hmph.)

Refina calls down a blast of holy power on two of the men (Holy smite)

Damage

3d8 ⇒ (5, 1, 8) = 14+ Blindness Dc 19 will save for half damage and negate blindness.

CLICK HERE: Hope this helps. M=man, f=featherman, K=Korian, O=Ovirid, R=Refina, I=Ixius, S=Sykala.

I think square brackets are called brackets and round brackets are called parentheses.

Sykala's head disappears beneath the sands as she burrows through the earth away from the monks.

She'll double move away from the fray directly North-East on the map. She resurfaces at the end of her move.

I think square brackets are called brackets and round brackets are called parentheses.

And the curly ones with a point in the middle are braces. I always call the square ones, "square brackets," but I don't know if that's right or not.

Ovirid shrugs his shoulders, lets the crossbow fall to the ground and takes a five-foot step toward the featherman as he readies his shield and draws a handaxe.

Full attack on the nearest feather-man using Power Attack, including flank bonus

Primary - throwing axe 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Sneak attack damage 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

Secondary - throwing axe 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Sneak attack damage 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7

Off-hand - shield slam 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Damage 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Sneak attack damage 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

I know they aren't good, but it seems like it's been forever since the poor lad's been able to attack something...

I don't imagine it matters considering the attack roll, but I did realize that my bonus for the off-hand shield attack from Power Attack was too high. It should only be +2 because it's an off-hand attack, not +4.

CLICK HERE: Hope this helps. M=man, f=featherman, K=Korian, O=Ovirid, R=Refina, I=Ixius, S=Sykala.

I think square brackets are called brackets and round brackets are called parentheses.

Ah everyone is closer bunched than I thought slight change of plan

Tika steps foreward (so she is flanking with Korian) and takes a swing with her Glaive

Attack

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Damage

10 + 4 = 14

Once Refina is flanking the foe in front of him, Korian blasts him with his wand of scorching ray, also able to take his foe by surprise and hit a vulnerable area.
Wand Scorching Ray Touch Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Fire Damage +Sneak: 4d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6, 4) + (2) = 18

The ranseur's give these guys reach and I see no reason for them not to take their AoO against Refina when she moves in. They both miss, however.

Ovirid's attack misses.

The featherman flanked by Refina and Korian takes two severe hits. He kicks at Refina as does the man beside him. Both miss.

One of the feathermen at 3:00 lashes out at his former prisoner, with a hard kick to the chest. The other swings his ranseur out to attack Refina. This one connects. 9 points of damage.

The ranseur's give these guys reach and I see no reason for them not to take their AoO against Refina when she moves in. They both miss, however.

Ovirid's attack misses.

The featherman flanked by Refina and Korian takes two severe hits. He kicks at Refina as does the man beside him. Both miss.

One of the feathermen at 3:00 lashes out at his former prisoner, with a hard kick to the chest. The other swings his ranseur out to attack Refina. This one connects. 9 points of damage.

Dosent make much diffrence but I was intending to use a 5 foot step to get in which as far as I am aware does not provoke AoO. Also I think her magic vestment may still be in affect (lasts 7 hours so if it is her Ac is at 24)

Ixius takes a step back ad shoots a ray at the featherman in front of him.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Damage: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 3) + 4 = 13

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

The ranseur's give these guys reach and I see no reason for them not to take their AoO against Refina when she moves in. They both miss, however.

Ovirid's attack misses.

The featherman flanked by Refina and Korian takes two severe hits. He kicks at Refina as does the man beside him. Both miss.

One of the feathermen at 3:00 lashes out at his former prisoner, with a hard kick to the chest. The other swings his ranseur out to attack Refina. This one connects. 9 points of damage.

Dosent make much diffrence but I was intending to use a 5 foot step to get in which as far as I am aware does not provoke AoO. Also I think her magic vestment may still be in affect (lasts 7 hours so if it is her Ac is at 24)

Right you are. I'm not sure why I was thinking a five-foot step moves you in or out of a threatened square without AoO but not THROUGH a threatened square, which is what you were doing. (Is that D&D minis or 3.5 rules?). The guy who hit, really hit, magic or not.)

The featherman manages to avoid Ixius's ray.

The man who stood beside Refina before, swings his ranseur at the featherman that kicked him, but misses.

Initiative Order Round 2
Refina (25)
Korian (19)
Ovirid (19)
Sykala (19)
Four Men (16)
Ixius (14)

Sykala watches the horizon and sky still having the uneasy feeling that this is too easy and the men are nothing more than bait.

Refina continues her attack

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 (+2 if still flanking)

1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Round 2, Initiative 25
AC: 17 HP: 58/58
Buffs: Magic Armor
Conditions: None

Korian, stepping to make sure he remains flanking with Refina, slashes his short sword down at their foe.
Short Sword Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Damage +Sneak: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (6) = 8

Ovirid continues his assault on the one he's flanking with the former slave (?).

Full attack on the nearest feather-man using Power Attack, including flank bonus

Primary - throwing axe 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Sneak attack damage 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Secondary - throwing axe 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Sneak attack damage 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

Off-hand - shield slam 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Damage 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Sneak attack damage 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

The shield slam feat allows me to perform a bull rush against a target I hit with my shield using the attack roll as the combat maneuver roll if I understand correctly. What does that do to a foe that's between me and an ally? (I'm not sure if I want to do the bull rush or not - it's not a maneuver I've used before.)

Refina and Korian, working together, bring down the first of the four foes.

Ovirid connects with his shield.

Ovirid, I think it would be just a matter of your ally getting out of the way if the bull rush pushed your opponent into the allies square. I'll look it up if you decide to make the maneuver.

The man you hit swings his ranseur about with a sweep that hooks your shield smashing it into your other hand and taking your axe out as well.

Another uses his ranseur to knock Refina's glaive from her, while a third pokes at Refina but misses.

You weren't throwing those axes, were you?

Sykala sees it first. A cloud of dust on the horizon. Those too busily engaged in comment hear it instead. A dull roar, not unlike the death worm Korian's illusions conjured up earlier.

Refina steps back and attempts to bind the man who disarmed her (Hold person Dc 17 will save to resist)

No, I'm using the axe as a melee weapon. By "takes out", are you saying that I'm disarmed? I'm not clear on what my current options are yet.

** spoiler omitted **

No, I'm using the axe as a melee weapon. By "takes out", are you saying that I'm disarmed? I'm not clear on what my current options are yet.

Okay, if you don't bull rush him back, he can't use his ranseur for this. He can still attempt a disarm with another attack (and, being a mon, he is able to attack with his feet without dropping the ranseur). This gives him a lower result though. He only manages to knock the shield out of your hand. The one attacking Refina can use his ranseur as he has reach.

Ixius is up, right?

Ixius shoots another ray at the same opponent.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 = 15
Damage: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 5, 6, 4) + 4 = 24

Assuming Point Blank Shot applies to rays.

Ixius shoots another ray at the same opponent.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20+8+1
Damage: 4d6+4

Assuming Point Blank Shot applies to rays.

It generally does, and it would provide another +1 to the damage, too.

The monk avoids the quickly-aimed ray from Ixius.

Initiative Order Round 3
Refina (25)
Korian (19)
Ovirid (19)
Sykala (19)
Four Men (16)
Ixius (14)

The noise grows louder, sounding like an angry hum. Those who look South, away from the combat can look under the spoiler.

Sykala moves further away from the monks trying to remain hidden from the approaching monster.

To his foe, Ovirid says without looking away, "Y' 'ear 'at, lad? Ah think we 'r bot' o' 's 'bout t' 'ave bigger problems 'an each other. If'n we keep fightin', we 'll be eaten t'gether. Let's be fer leavin' 'ff now, 'n we c'n take 's up later."

Refina steps back and attempts to bind the man who disarmed her (Hold person Dc 17 will save to resist)

Continuing through with this.

Refina Frizart wrote:

Refina steps back and attempts to bind the man who disarmed her (Hold person Dc 17 will save to resist)

Continuing through with this.

Understood.

BTW, my latest Rite Publishing supplement #30 Fleshgrafts is dedicated to "Those who brave the Tomb of the Emperor Gods. Thanks for keeping me entertained."

BTW, my latest Rite Publishing supplement #30 Fleshgrafts is dedicated to "Those who brave the Tomb of the Emperor Gods. Thanks for keeping me entertained."

Yay!! I've never had a book dedicated to me before! Even if it is for an avatar of mine and you couldn't pick me out of a police line-up, it's still cool! By the way, I'm always excited to see a new book with your name on the byline - I'm rooting for your continued success as an author/designer.

Ovirid watches his adversary to see if he intends to take the truce offer or not. The dwarf's shield is laying at his feet, I gather?

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

BTW, my latest Rite Publishing supplement #30 Fleshgrafts is dedicated to "Those who brave the Tomb of the Emperor Gods. Thanks for keeping me entertained."

Yay!! I've never had a book dedicated to me before! Even if it is for an avatar of mine and you couldn't pick me out of a police line-up, it's still cool! By the way, I'm always excited to see a new book with your name on the byline - I'm rooting for your continued success as an author/designer.

Ovirid watches his adversary to see if he intends to take the truce offer or not. The dwarf's shield is laying at his feet, I gather?

Your adversary seems to be listening, worried, but does not look away from you to see what the commotion is.

Does this mean you are delaying your action?

Sorry for the delay. And wow! What an honour Terran, thank you so very much! And what impressive work you do! Do I understand you are also the artist for your books as well? You're are very talented my friend (and also have quite the twisted imagination ; ). I echo Ovirid and wish you much continued success. Cheers!

Round 3, Initiative 25
AC: 21 HP: 58/58
Buffs: Magic Armor
Conditions: None

Holding his sword before him in a weaving, defensive, pattern Korian risks a quick look behind himself at the approaching thing, trying to identify it, then raises his voice yelling as convincingly as he can"You see how much your masters value you! Do you doubt that this approaching creature will mean your deaths just as surely as ours! We are not your enemies and mean you no harm! Fight with us, not against us, and free yourself from tyranny!"
Action: Full Defense
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Are there any rolls Korian can make to identify what that thing is Tarren? Feel free to roll them to save time if you want. And has the freed slave been fighting on our side already? And what happened to the others who where not monks?

BTW, my latest Rite Publishing supplement #30 Fleshgrafts is dedicated to "Those who brave the Tomb of the Emperor Gods. Thanks for keeping me entertained."

That is awesome. Now if we can survive Jabba's Sail Barge we can continue with the entertainment :) Shhhh....nobody better ask where the Sarlacc is...

Sykala continues to hunker down and hide while watching the approaching critter.

Your adversary seems to be listening, worried, but does not look away from you to see what the commotion is.

Does this mean you are delaying your action?

I guess it does.

Ixius puts an arrow in his bow and also waits to see what the monks do.

Also delaying.

Sorry for the delay.

I'm not the artist on my Rite Publishing work, except for the occasional map.

The three monks look at each other and decide to beat a hasty retreat. Unless you attempt to attack them as they run, they're abandoning you.

The men that Refina guided out of the circle ran a bit of a ways and then hung out in the distance. Remember this has all only taken about 20 seconds, so their not returning isn't such an odd thing. At this point, however, they are diving to the ground as the thrumming sound grows closer.

The 100 ft. long thing continues towards you. It is =about 50 ft. away, but it suddenly begins to bank to the left.

No knowledge rolls possible to divine what it is/might be?

No knowledge rolls possible to divine what it is/might be?

Knowledge (nature) or Knowledge (planes) or Knowledge (arcana) ... heheh.

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17