GM Zer0darkfire's The Lost Star (Playtest) (Inactive)

Game Master zer0darkfire

Well, you could grapple the goblin, but the playtest has severely limited options for after you have someone grappled (none in fact), and there is no drag or reposition maneuver right now, so for purposes of playtest, I'm going to say no.

@olise, that horse really wants to do exactly 2 damage on every dice

Xune grapples the Goblin Pyro, causing it to be flatfooted, and she still has 2 actions left!

The horse manages a solid kick to the goblin's head, but the goblin manages to shake most of the hit off.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Goblin Pyro Black
Xune 2 actions
Biffin
Vardigas
Olise
Mona
Andrus

reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

"Bwa ha ha! Magic can barely scratch a dwarf!" takes 1 damage.

Standing in grease, Biffin is happy he doesn't need to move anywhere at all. He goes all out on the final goblin.

Warhammer Strike1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 131d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Warhammer Strike2: 1d20 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 5 = 191d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Warhammer Strike3: 1d20 + 5 - 10 ⇒ (10) + 5 - 10 = 51d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

No problem, I couldn't find a way to do it either.

With a firm grip on the goblin, Xune shanks it viciously with a dagger again and again...

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 vs flat
Attack, multi: 1d20 ⇒ 2 vs flat

if hit...: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 6) + 4 = 14

Keep in mind that grappling does count as an attack, so your attacks are -5 and -10 before agile

Alrighty, thanks for the clarification.

Andrus moves out of the grease patch, moving behind Xune, then striking at the remaining goblin from over her head.

stride, strike, strike

vs pyro: glaive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
vs pyro: glaive: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18 dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

The combined strikes of our heroes prove too much for the remaining goblin nutjob who intentionally throws himself into the fire after taking a fatal blow.

The goblin pyro had Lore (Fire) +6, knew lots of random facts about fire. Found this amusing but not very practical.

Combat Over!

PS about the horse, based on my reading of the beastiary, natural attacks are not agile by default, they still need to have the "agile" tag in order to be agile. This is inferred mainly by some creatures having the tags and some not.

Looking around the cavern, you spot a basic falling rock trap that requires a lever to be pulled. When the lever is pulled, rocks fall near the entrance to the cavern, crushing those that do not get out of the way.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Xune snuffs out the campfire, the stink irritating her sensitive elven nostrils.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Olise straightens her dress and dismisses Penelope. "Well! There certainly were quite a few goblins in these tunnels weren't there? Let's see, should we head back up and follow the corridor a little further down?"

percep: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"Nuthin' to see here."

[ooc] I can't tell-- does the bottom of the room go somewhere? [/b]

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
"Look! There's a stash of items. Probably from the goblins." Andrus pulls out two flasks of alchemist's fire, a smokestick, and 10cp.

After the treasure has been distributed, Andrus gestures the south. "This way? I feel more comfortable circling the dungeon than cutting straight through."

Biffin, yeah looks that way.

Andrus turns around and looks up, he notices that there is a ledge 15ft up the cavern wall that is barely noticeable due to the shadows cast by the goblin's fire.

Look," Andrus says as he points up to the ledge. "A ledge up there. Anyone can get up there to take a look?"

"Climbin' ain't my specialty, priest. But I can give a touch o healin'. Anyone need a boost?"

I haven't used lay on hands yet

"Yeah, easy...sec'." she spits on her palms and rubs them together before going for the gold...

Athletics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

If needed she'll toss her grappling hook with rope up there

15 was exactly the DC you needed to climb the ledge!

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Calling down to the others "There's a concealed tunnel here...looks locked. I could try to improvise some 'picks, but its not likely I'd be able. Heads up, Im throwing a rope down..." she secures her grapple and tosses the rope down to the others.

Meanwhile, she tries the locked passage with her mess kit fork and a few bits of metal from her sword sheathe tassles...

Thievery with improvised tools: 1d20 ⇒ 11

"Think we'll need to break it down..."

11 fails, but not critically!

I had assumed that was a total fail so didn't put mods, but it would have been +4 for my ability and prof, then -2 for the poor quality tools for 13 total.

Thievery, imp tools: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Thievery, imp tools: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Thievery, imp tools: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Thievery, imp tools: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Thievery, imp tools: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Thievery, imp tools: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Lets see, 13 fails, the 20 succeeds, 14 fails, 17 succeeds, 13 fails, and 3 crit fails, breaking your tools.

The door's lock is almost cracked but at the last tumbler, Xune's tools finally give out and break completely.

Not sure I like lock picking in this edition, although I am a fan of the # of success required rather than 2d4 rounds or whatever 1e is.

Try breaking the door down with a bonus from the loose lock?

I actually hate the number of successes thing, it makes it exponentially more difficult. As a note, the player gets a choice on a crit fail of either losing one of their successes or having their tools break.

Indeed, its like rolling disadvantage a bunch. Then again, it seems way easier just a few levels higher.

Xune sighs at her infiltration inexperience, kicking the little lock with her high heel...

Athletics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Oh right, I forgot since the first lock we did had 0 success

Xune breaks the lock on the door, cracking it open.

This cramped cavern reeks of stale sweat and dried blood. Tucked into the far corner is a filthy straw bed made from ratty hides and moldy clothes. Off to the side sits a pair of chests, one of which is open and filled to the top with a strange assortment of clothes.

Calling down to the others "Not sure what this is...a birthing chamber or something? It's like a psycho's closet... Come on up, help me check this out...wait...maybe that corn thing should stay down there..."

The grappling hook is secured and the rope let down for the others.

Andrus climbs up and with his glaive raised in front of him, he enters the chamber apprehensively. He pokes through the items with the blade of his weapon.
perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Andrus finds nothing of interest.

Will move you all to the next area soon if no one posts anything else.

There was another chest, right?

Perception, Traps: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Xune's eyes water at the moldy clothes smell but she tries to open the chest anyways.

Not noticing anything strange, Andrus goes over to search through the open chest. After that, he goes over to the closed chest and attempts to open it.

Xune doesn't notice anything amiss as Andrus goes over to open it. Unfortunately, Andrus find that the chest is locked.

As Andrus stands back from the chest, he hears a *click* sound as a needle springs out of the locking area, right where his hands were. It seems that the timing mechanism has deteriorated...

The party moves on, hoping to return to the chest later with more lockpicks.

While this room may have been used as a shrine long ago, its contents are now a ghastly mockery of its former purpose. To the south, an altar upon a raised dais is surrounded by mosaics depicting a stern woman with long, flowing white hair, all of which has been slathered in filth and gore. The whole area reeks of decay and cloying, clotted blood. A Hobgoblin is hunched over the altar in the middle of feeding on a recently slain goblin, blood running from his strange three-pronged tongue.

"Well. Well well well well. Well. It seems that ye have been cornered, ye blasted hobgoblin vampire-thing. It is time ta meet the business end o me hammer, methinks!"

"Wha-?! What are you doing to that goblin?! Put him down, right now!" Olise's small voice rings out across the small room as she catches sight of the horrifying scene playing out before her. "Come on, guys! Let's get this monster, no matter what he is!"

Xune doesn't hesitate and coldly, with a grin, tosses a few daggers into the exposed back of the creature...

Dagger Toss: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Dagger Toss, multi: 1d20 ⇒ 7

...somewhere in her bloodlust her aim went out the window, however.

Initiative Order, Bold May go!
Everyone except Andrus
Drakus
Andrus

Xune tosses a dagger, but misses the unusual hobgoblin!

"FORWARD!"

Biffin moves twice to get in the monster's face, and he swings!

Warhammer Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 91d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

“Another victory is on its way, my friends!” Bellowing with excitement, Vardigas rushes the hobgoblin with his greataxe at the ready!

2 actions to move, 1 to Strike.

Melee Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Strike Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Took the liberty to move Vardigas's token.

Olise hurries in after her companions and takes up a position behind the stout dwarf, Biffin. She peers over his shoulder and takes a horrified glimpse at the hobgoblin with the unnatural looking tongue. What is that thing, she wonders, Doesn't seem like any kind of hobgoblin I've ever heard of.

Actions 1 and 2: Stride my full 50 feet to get behind Biffin.
I'd like to use my third action to attempt an identification roll, but I'm not sure what skill to use. Please use the roll below and add the appropriate modifier listed here:
Arcana: +1
Lore (Dominion of the Black) +3
Nature +5
Occultism +3
Religion +3

Identify moster: 1d20 ⇒ 1

EDIT: ...never mind.

As usual, Andrus will use his reaction to transfer up to 2 damage to himself, spending 1 SP, if any of his allies are hit.

Not sure I have another attack at the moment, but this will be my next move...

Xune pops her shortsword from between her shoulderblades and rolls it in her hand, stepping up into flank for a death strike...

Attack from flank: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

...unfortunately she steps on a duck which flew out of nowhere, totally throwing her off.

"Oh good, time for the grand finale. Let's go out with a bang, eh?" As she says this, she moves into the room, raises her bow, and fires.

Action 1 Stride.
Action 2 Inspire.
Action 3 Attack.

Shortbow Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Shortbow Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Drakus' body begins to change, and it winds up looking like this hideous creature.

The shapeshift was so shocking that most attacks easily miss the creature, but all Vardigas sees is an even uglier target for his blade!

Vardigas hits

The creature hisses loudly, then swings it's longsword back at Vardigas!
Long sword: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 2 = 20Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

He then follows up with a claw attack!
Claw: 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 2 - 4 = 20 damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

2 of the damage is redirected to Andrus (what does that again?)!

Everyone is up!

Monster -14
Vardigas -14
Andrus -2

From her position in flank Xune once again tries to take advantage of the hobgoblin's movement, using its size against itself...

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Attack, second: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Attack, third: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (10) - 5 = 5

...but instead seems to only find air.

Olise lays and shimmering hand upon Biffin's shoulder, "Go on, Biffin, hit that horrifying thing! Then back up a step if could. I'm gonna bring the fire!"

Action 1+2: Verbal and Somatic actions to cast Guidance on Biffin. +1 to your next attack!
Action 3: Stride back 5 feet

Can you lovely folks help me out and make sure you're updating your positions on the map linked in the GM's header? I'm hoping to set up Burning Hands for some time in this combat and would like to avoid blasting as many of you as I can.
At present, if Biffin moves straight away from the creature 5 ft or right behind Vardigas, I should be able to flame on without hurting any allies.

GM, Andrus is using his Divine Ward ability, the protection domain power.

Olise, if you come into the space beside Biffin, you could cast burning hands on him without hitting anyone else. Only thing though is if Drakus can take AoO.

Andrus, as usual, reacts a bit slower but at the very least, he was able to instantaneously reduce Vardigas wounds somewhat. That is not enough, however. He quickly runs up behind him, lays a hand on his shoulder and calls forth the divinity of Shelyn to help him heal from his wounds.

"Lady Shelyn, grant your proection upon this mortal, that he can continue to bring beauty to this world."

Stride, Channel Energy to cast heal, Healing Hands to add Verbal component for additional 1d8

heal on Vardigas, healing hands: 1d8 + 4 + 1d8 ⇒ (7) + 4 + (1) = 12

Andrus will continue to use divine ward to transfer 2 damage to himself as reaction.

Rather important point of note, Guidance and Inspire don't stack.

"Let's see, how about we make his head disappear!"

Action 1: Inspire
Action 2 and 3: Cast Illusory Object to create an image of a box around his head.

“I must set an example for little corn baby! It must grow up with good role models!” Vardigas indulges in an obvious Slasher Smile and applies maximum effort as he swings twice more at the hideous beast.

1 action to Rage, 2 Strike actions.

Strike 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d12 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 slashing

Strike 2: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Biffin is up!

"Stay down, monster!"

Warhammer Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 151d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Warhammer Strike 2: 1d20 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 - 5 = 71d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Biffin raises his shield, ready for the response.

Xune continues to be shocked as her slashes and stabs easily miss the shapeshifted monster.

Olise guides Biffin to the beat of Mona's song, while Andrus heals Vardigas' wounds.

Will save: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 = 12 The monster entirely believes that his head has been placed inside of an illusionary box making it lash out wildly!

Due to the box, Vardigas just manages to hit the creature again, causing a massive wound to appear on it's chest before biffin smacks his warhammer into the blinded monster's face, knocking it out!

Combat Over!

Making him blind with an illusion to lower his AC is the only reason Vardigas and Biffin managed to hit!

"Pah, this was the big threat? The guy was more like a big pussycat!