DMDM's Fingerprints of the Fiend

Game Master Douglas Muir 406

Climb Check II: Climb Faster!: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 2 = 16

"No man died in His service that died in vain!" Attero calls out, hoisting himself up the chain and at last attaining solid footing.

Seeing that Callinda has the devil checked, and that the Xeno is too weak to enter into melee, Attero begins to call upon reinforcements....

Beginning to cast Summon Monster II

Okay, so Morvius climbed -- you're just 10' from the top now -- Callinda prepared an action, and Brother Attero has reached the top and is summoning. Janeesa and Grinceroy?

Are we still in Round 1? If so, my action was to cast Bulls Strength and hold my position. The thinking was to get a better idea of what others were planning. If I notice everyone else is still making for the top, I'll take my Round 2 action to climb, once it gets to my initiative.

No, we're in Round 2 now. Callinda climbed to the top, Father Dominatus is just crawling over the edge, Morvius is 10' below the edge, and Grinceroy is just flinging himself into space.

[dice=Climb Check II: Climb Faster!]d20+6-2

"No man died in His service that died in vain!" Attero calls out, hoisting himself up the chain and at last attaining solid footing.

Seeing that Callinda has the devil checked, and that the Xeno is too weak to enter into melee, Attero begins to call upon reinforcements....

Beginning to cast Summon Monster II

Point of order: Climb is a move action, but Summon Monster is a FRA. So you must either (1) give up that Climb roll and stay hanging from the chains for another round while you cast, or (2) keep the Climb (it will bring you right to the edge) but cast something else that only needs a standard.

Oh. I thought climbing faster would get me over the top. Okay, I'll just keep the climb check and use the standard as a move to get me Over The Top. (Holy obscure Stallone movie reference!)

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Grinceroy shivers at the cold, but pushes himself off the wall anyway. He charges through the air at the creature, fist preparing to strike as he does. A flurry of thorns follows the path of his fist, trying to connect, but he seems off balance flying through the air like he is.

Swift: Enter Janni Style; Full Round: Charge, unarmed attack with Kinetic Fist

Unarmed Attack+Charge-Shaken: 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 - 2 = 11
Unarmed Damage+Kinetic fist: 1d8 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (1) = 4

Great, yeah, let's get those bad rolls out of the way now. Hopefully that's it and we can now have a chance at this battle. Also, I'm aware of this now because of my current flight status, but has she been making flying checks to hover?

Round 2 Action

Seeing what the others are doing, Janeesa holds firm to the rock face and throws her grappling hook up to a higher purchase, and attempts another climb.

Climb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Whoa. You rolled higher than a 7. Can you do that? =p

Oh. I thought climbing faster would get me over the top. Okay, I'll just keep the climb check and use the standard as a move to get me Over The Top. (Holy obscure Stallone movie reference!)

Whether you climb slow or fast, it's still a move action. So you can't take a full-round action at the same time.

Great, yeah, let's get those bad rolls out of the way now. Hopefully that's it and we can now have a chance at this battle.

Hope springs eternal!

I do have to point out that by charging her, you've placed yourself adjacent to her, and she's got her sword out, and can FRA you now. Just sayin'.

Also, I'm aware of this now because of my current flight status, but has she been making flying checks to hover?

She can't fail a DC 15 Fly check.

Round 2 Action

Seeing what the others are doing, Janeesa holds firm to the rock face and throws her grappling hook up to a higher purchase, and attempts another climb.

Climb: 1d20+2

Janeesa, you're not sickened, right? Okay, then that just barely makes it. Everyone is on top of the cliff except Morvius (still 10' down) and Grinceroy (in midair 50' out from the cliff's edge).

Okay, that's everyone's action. So, we begin Round 2.

Full round attack on Grinceroy! -- Wow, up close she is absolutely terrifying. Shaped like a human but not human -- too perfect. Her flesh is something like flexible marble, and her movements are incredibly fast, yet controlled. Her eyes are hot and insane, but also utterly focused. She has a longsword. It's made of some sort of black metal. It looks really sharp. Two attacks: 1d20 ⇒ 5 1d20 ⇒ 14

-2 AC for charging, so... that's two hits for total 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (4, 6) + 12 = 22 points of damage. Grinceroy, this brings you down to one (1) hit point. One more hit will kill you. Note that you're out of range of your cleric's healbomb.

Right, everyone can do Round Two actions now.

cast Summon Monster II

Janni style allows me to take only -1 to AC.

Summon Monster is a FRA (which is annoying -- there are feats to make it a standard, but they're also annoying), so your creature will appear at the beginning of Round 3. Note the range.

Janni style allows me to take only -1 to AC.

Oh! Okay, sec. [checks] Nope, both still hit.

Damn.

Grinceroy, realizing he is outmatched here alone in the air, pulls back carefully setting himself back onto solid ground.

Full Round Action: withdraw. Setting myself up farther away from the group so as to keep out of the way of the attack she's used before.

Sorry guys, I can do very little more in this fight. Even if I healed up right now, I can't fight her out there alone.

Okay. She doesn't have reach, so your withdrawal is successful. Her AoE attack seemed to have about a 20' burst radius, so if you're 45' away from the others it should be fine. Of course, that means you're still out of healbomb range...

All right, Grinceroy and Father D have acted; that leaves Janeesa, Callinda, and Morvius (who is still 10' down the cliffside). Callinda, your prepared action last round was wasted because she didn't cast, but you can FRA with your missile weapon this round.

At another airport right now (on the subject of Hell...) - Morvius will climb a up and draw his bow, using the sliver arrows

How much cover can be found on the top of the cliff? If I could get total cover, how hard would it be to hide?

How much cover can be found on the top of the cliff?

Little. You haven't had much time to look around, but the top of the island is an oval about 600 yards long and 200 wide, and it's pretty flat. It's mostly bare rock with a few tufts of grass and here and there a low shrub, stunted by the sea salt and the constant wind.

If I could get total cover, how hard would it be to hide?

If you could get total cover, you could hide. But there is no cover.

It's better than being on that cliff! But it's still very exposed.

Once at the top, Janeesa will cast Bless, giving everyone within the radius a +1 morale bonus to hit and on saving throws vs fear. She will also ready her weapon in case the thing comes close enough to take a swing at it.

Okay. Waiting on Callinda, then it's Round 3.

Still wrestling with the wave of fear, Callinda tries to draw herself together and focus on her enemy, using her training to steady her shaking hands.

shortbow, studied, bless, shaken: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 28for: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

"We should spread out before it blasts us again?" she growls, taking an initial few steps away from the group herself.

move action: studied target, +2 attack/damage
standard: attack
five-foot-step
no longer shaken

That shortbow is non-magical, correct? In that case: the arrow hits her, but bounces off. She twitches slightly in irritation -- it hurt her, but not nearly as much as it should have.

But hey: you did get her attention. She was going to finish of Grinceroy but, meh, he can't reach her and you can. So she's going to sheathe her sword, and pull out her bow. Move action, so she doesn't get a FRA -- just a single attack. One shot: 1d20 ⇒ 13.

As the arrow leaves her bow it bursts into flames. The flames are really quite hot. Callinda takes 1d8 + 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + (3) + 6 = 13 points of damage.

And that's all. Back to you guys!

Unless she just let go of the sword (in which case it's now at the bottom of the ocean), I'm pretty sure that it's an action to stow a weapon - so she can't shoot Callinda once she's drawn her bow.

Landed, on the way to hotel. Will post more later

Grinceroy flies again, back somewhat towards the group, though he angles away from the cliff's edge, and stays low to the ground. As Grinceroy stops, he reaches down to the ground and seems to be pulling on something though nothing is there. A wall springs out of the ground, made of still writhing vines as they weave together, pulling tight and creating a barrier. "Move back, bring her to us!" then he looks quickly away from the cliff, scanning for better ground to fight from.

Perception (trying to see how far away it might be till we can find real cover): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

Creating Kinetic Cover. Setting up cover for someone to hide behind. Next to Callinda or Morvius. This provides total cover from her if you move into that square. Wherever I place it, I would want it to be within 5', making it an easy 5' step to get there.

Unless she just let go of the sword (in which case it's now at the bottom of the ocean), I'm pretty sure that it's an action to stow a weapon - so she can't shoot Callinda once she's drawn her bow.

"If you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, you may draw a weapon as a free action"

Creating Kinetic Cover. Setting up cover for someone to hide behind. Next to Callinda or Morvius. This provides total cover from her if you move into that square. Wherever I place it, I would want it to be within 5', making it an easy 5' step to get there.

Nice. -- Okay, this is my first time DMing a kineticist, so let me make sure I have this right: Kinetic Cover only creates a 5' wall (along one square), right? But it provides complete cover there?

I know of the rule where "If you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, you may draw a weapon as a free action combined with a regular move," But I don't remember anything about it being free unless you have the Quick Draw feat, which seems to suggest that it only works as part of a move.

Nice. -- Okay, this is my first time running a kineticist, so let me make sure I have this right: Kinetic Cover only creates a 5' wall (along one square), right? But it provides complete cover there?

Correct. The wall can be destroyed if she takes time to (quite easily, AC 5, hardness 0, 12 hit points), but that's also time she's not shooting us, so, YAY!

I know of the rule where "If you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, you may draw a weapon as a free action combined with a regular move," But I don't remember anything about it being free unless you have the Quick Draw feat, which seems to suggest that it only works as part of a move.

Yeah, but under that interpretation you can draw a weapon as a free action while moving, but not while standing still. Like, "I'm happy right where I am, I want to draw my sword and attack." "Nope, sorry, you have to take a move action."

Let me do a quick Rules forum check.

Correct. The wall can be destroyed if she takes time to (quite easily, AC 5, hardness 0, 12 hit points), but that's also time she's not shooting us, so, YAY!

Mmkay.

Callinda continues to fire at their adversary -- ineffective as it may be, she can at least buy some time? -- before stepping behind the wall of vines.

shortbow, studied, bless: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 17for: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8
shortbow, studied, bless: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 23for: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

"Morvius - do you see an exit anywhere?"

I don't think you can draw a weapon as part of an attack action, but don't have the rules with me right now

Good news: I checked the rules, and you can't sheathe, draw and attack in one round without Quick Draw. Well, she's a tidy-minded creature and she may want that black sword again, so she'll sheathe it. Callinda does NOT take those 13 points of damage.

Less good news: of Callinda's two shots, one misses and one bounces off without doing any damage at all.

So Grinceroy created some cover -- clever -- and Callinda has ducked behind it. That leaves Morvius, Janeesa and Brother D.

Hey, Brother D's summoned monsters appear at the beginning of this round! They act on his initiative. What did you summon, and what are they doing?

Still wrestling with the wave of fear, Callinda tries to draw herself together and focus on her enemy, using her training to steady her shaking hands.

[dice=shortbow, studied, bless, shaken]1d20+9+2+1-2[dice=for]1d6+4+2

Callinda, did you forget to add +4 to damage to your last two rolls?

Round 3 action

If Janeesa can reach Dominatus, she'll apply a cure light wounds spell (her own, not the wand) to him for
1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12.

Callinda, did you forget to add +4 to damage to your last two rolls?

I sure did, thanks for knowing my bow better than I do! So DM, that 23 to hit should have been 8 damage instead of 4, before DR.

"Morvius - do you see an exit anywhere?"

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

guess not

Morvius spares a desultory glance around. "Nowhere that immediately springs to view, alas. I suppose we shall have to do this the hard way. Incidentally, my arrows are silver - you are welcome to share." He gives a wry smile. "If we survive this venture, we can discuss renumeration."

Focusing his attention on the foe, he fires two silver arrows.

bow: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 27
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

bow: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 + 1 - 5 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Did I see any better ground for fighting? Any cover or caves or anything as I looked around?

Round 3 action

If Janeesa can reach Dominatus, she'll apply a cure light wounds spell (her own, not the wand) to him for
1d8+5.

You can reach him.

Brother Attero Dominatus wrote:

Callinda, did you forget to add +4 to damage to your last two rolls?

I sure did, thanks for knowing my bow better than I do! So DM, that 23 to hit should have been 8 damage instead of 4, before DR.

Duly noted.

Focusing his attention on the foe, he fires two silver arrows.

[Dice=bow]d20+6+2+1
[Dice=Damage]d6+4

[Dice=bow]d20+6+2+1-5
[Dice=Damage]d6+4

Oh ho, those did full damage. They also caught her attention. That hot mad gaze turns, and fixes on Morvius.

Did I see any better ground for fighting? Any cover or caves or anything as I looked around?

Nope. Rock, tufts of grass, a few low shrubs, pretty flat. No hills, no caves.

There are some structures a few hundred yards away, towards the center of the island, with smoke rising from them. You glimpse people moving around. They're like 300 yards away, though, so unless they can fly or cast long-range magic they won't be an issue for at least the next few rounds.