DMDM's Fingerprints of the Fiend

Game Master Douglas Muir 406

Damn, that Intimidate was the other thing. -2 on all attacks, bah.

Okay, the two closer mooks are going to take 5' steps; shoot their bows; then pull out shields. Next turn they'll be 55' away from the combat, so able to charge. Meanwhile, their shots. They have instructions to target obvious healers first, so: 1d20 ⇒ 161d20 ⇒ 5 that's 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 points of damage on Janeesa.

Oh, that's it, you little bastard, Janeesa thinks.

If at all feasible without taking AOO, she's gonna charge that guy this round.

Sorry, lost a day to work.

Okay, so the mooks shot -- that leaves Overseer, Boss, and Weasel. Let's start with Overseer. He's still shaken by Morvius' successful Intimidate check, but he's going to lash out at you with his whip again. Two attacks, CRACK CRACK : 1d20 ⇒ 8 <-- Bah, misses 1d20 ⇒ 12 <-- d'aah, just barely misses. Okay, that Intimidate check definitely paid off. That's all for Overseer!

Boss is a simple man: he's piling on some Power Attack and beating hell out of Brother D, total defense or no total defense. Here goes:

1d20 ⇒ 1
1d20 ⇒ 4

Oh, come on.

Weasel hustles forward from 170' to 80', putting him just 30' from the combat. No other action from him this round. Callinda, since he's given up his Dex bonus by running, this could put him in SA range if you move a little, though you might have to eat an AoO.

Finally, the bats chomp on Callinda. It only does 1d6 ⇒ 1 points of damage -- but now it's 1 point/round of bleed damage until cured or healed, and also Callinda needs to make a Fortitude save.

Bah, a terrible turn. Oh well, the dice will come back... they always do. They always do.

Over to you guys.

"You, my poorly-dressed friend, have a problem." Morvius' tone is conversational as he addresses the Overseer. They might almost not be in the middle of a fight for their lives.

"It's not that I despise slavers - which I do; as far as I'm concerned they have a place of punishment reserved specially for them, along with the people who talk at the theatre... No. It's that my friends here hate slavers, and I mean really, really hate them. It's like a religious thing for some of them."

His whip lashes out, catching the man across his eyes.

Dirty trick, blind: 1d20 + 6 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 29

Overseer is Blinded. Standard action to remove. No soup AoO for you!

"They're going to cut you apart, piece by piece, and you won't be able to see them coming. You will, however, be able to feel it."

Morvius will then move to cover his friends: any mook getting into melee with them will eat an AoO.

Gritting her teeth against the biting, fluttering swarm, Callinda sees Morvius' whip lash across the overseer's face and is tempted by the chance to take out that foe -- but decides to focus on the threat in front of her instead of risking a maneuver around him.

fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

power attacking with studied target, trait slaver bonus, and blessing of war. if Brother A threatens while prone & total defense, +2 flank to all these attacks:
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 76scimitar: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 14for: 1d6 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 17
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 31scimitar: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 19for: 1d6 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 14
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 41kukri: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 29for: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 9
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 61kukri: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 26for: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 11

no SA b/c blur, but looks like two crit threats

kukri crit confirm: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 14crit dmg: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 10
kukri crit confirm: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 25crit dmg: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 8

"If that elemental's going to smash someone down, now would be a great time, Attero!" she calls, eying the onrushing reinforcements.

Grinceroy seizes the opportunity the moment the whip crashes into his eyes. Grinceroy swings his knee into the man's stomach, followed by a quick succession of punches. Each strike seems to explode in a fountain of thorns as he does.

Elemental Flurry 1 + Blessing of War: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 1 = 24
Elemental Flurry Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (2) = 6

Elemental Flurry 2 + Blessing of War: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 = 30
Elemental Flurry Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + (3) = 10

Elemental Flurry 3 + Blessing of War: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 = 14
Elemental Flurry Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (6) = 10

Possible Crit: Elemental Flurry + Blessing of War: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 = 25
Extra Elemental Flurry Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (2) = 7

Janeesa charges the little bastard who shot her.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Figures...

I was Total Defense last round....*dun Dun DUNN!*

As soon as Morvius' whip sounds its crack, with a sound like a falling avalanche the priest of war RISES from the ground. For Odin alone would choose the day he would enter Valhalla. THIS time when he took up the attack, none could stand before him.

Though his elemental continues its attack against the blind Overseer, Aterro heeds Calinda's call and aids her against her opponent.

EE attack! w/Flank: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14
EE damage!: 1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9

Zeal Attack! w/Flank: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 30
Zeal Damage!: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 16
Zeal Attack! w/Flank: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 34
Righteousness Damage!: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 15

Grinceroy seizes the opportunity the moment the whip crashes into his eyes. Grinceroy swings his knee into the man's stomach, followed by a quick succession of punches. Each strike seems to explode in a fountain of thorns as he does.

Honestly, I'm always just going to have DMDM's pollen imagery whenever Grinceroy uses that ability...

Flower Power!

Overseer is Blinded. Standard action to remove. No soup AoO for you!

"They're going to cut you apart, piece by piece, and you won't be able to see them coming. You will, however, be able to feel it."

Morvius will then move to cover his friends: any mook getting into melee with them will eat an AoO.

Niiice.

Morvius Zaan wrote:

Overseer is Blinded. Standard action to remove. No soup AoO for you!

"They're going to cut you apart, piece by piece, and you won't be able to see them coming. You will, however, be able to feel it."

Morvius will then move to cover his friends: any mook getting into melee with them will eat an AoO.

Niiice.

Thanks - Morvius is very much of the "good is not nice" school of thought. But he does have good manners. There's very little excuse for rudeness.

Think it's over to you, DMDM?

Over to me it is. I'll do the minions tonight, top tier in the morning.

Minion #1 was back at 110' last round. He moves forward another 30', bringing him to 80', and shoots. 1d20 ⇒ 1 Okay, he's obviously unnerved by the way the combat is progressing, and his shot goes wild.

Minion #2 charges Grinceroy! 1d20 ⇒ 1 Ummm... I guess he's unnerved too. Well, Grinceroy is flanked now anyway, so that's a thing.

Minion #3 is in melee with Janeesa! 1d20 ⇒ 18 Well okay. Janeesa, a heavy mace hits you for 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 points of damage.

More in a little bit -- I have to think about what the big three will do, and it's bedtime here.

Just a reminder, because of Janni style, they only get a +1 for flanking me.

Should I take any AoO's available at this point, or should I add them in retrospectively in my next round? I'm good either way, just want to check.

On her turn, Janeesa will 5' step back to avoid AOO and cast Cure Moderate Wounds on herself, healing...

2d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 = 9

Dice hate me.

Just a reminder, because of Janni style, they only get a +1 for flanking me.

Ha, interesting. Doesn't make a difference here, but good to know going forward.

Overseer: I think he has no choice but to clear his eyes. And that's a standard, so he can't defend. Ugly!

Weasel: the ferret-faced little man moves forward a few steps, then calls softly to Morvius, "Hey there, handsome fellow. We should be able to settle this like sensible people. How about you calm down and let's try talking this out?"

DC 16 Will save for Morvius, please. If you fail, you cannot take any offensive action, though you may cure, cast protective buffs, and defend. You'll spend a move action each round trying to convince everyone else to calm down and see reason.

The bats continue swarming Callinda. She takes another 1d6 ⇒ 1 of damage. The bleed damage does not stack, so it stays at 1 hp / round... but she'll need to make another Fortitude save.

Boss roars, "You fool! Stop playing with bats and enchantments, and use the damned Crowd Control! We can take it!"

And then he's going to FRA Brother D. 1d20 ⇒ 20 ooh ooh, can we confirm? 1d20 ⇒ 4 dang. Okay, second shot 1d20 ⇒ 19 ooh ooh can we confirm? 1d20 ⇒ 10 yessss no wait that was his second attack d'oh noooo just barely missed.

Still, two hitsies. Father D., take 2d10 + 22 ⇒ (10, 6) + 22 = 38 points of damage.

And that's that. Sorry for the three day delay; regular posting should resume. Over to you guys.

Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Morvius sighs, wearily. "You're right, of course. I do deplore senseless conflict: the blood, the bodies, the endless, endless bills for new shirts. Let's be sensible about this. You and your companions throw down your weapons, and we'll discuss the terms of your surrender."

He gives the ferret-faced man a disdainful look. "And it's nice to know my dashing good looks are appreciated, but I have to tell you that you're not my type. My type has rather more by way of breasts, and rather less by way of slaves."

Oops. Missed that it's our turn now. I didn't get a reply on the AoO so I'm going to roll it and DMDM can disregard if it's not applicable.

LAST TURN

Morvius swings his whip at the mook closing in for the charge.

AoO, Trip attempt: 1d20 + 6 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 17

THIS TURN

Easily shaking off the weasel-faced man's sorcery, Morvius almost negligently strikes at the overseer, again attempting to blind him.

Dirty Trick, blind: 1d20 + 6 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 35

His whip smacks the man right across the face, hitting him in the eyes. "I'm told there's no shame in a man crying, these days, although you have rather more to be ashamed of... like your dress sense, for one thing. Whoever told you that jerkin goes with those breeches is not your friend."

On the basis that 'shut down the spellcaster' is always a good tactic, he moves into range of the Weasel. If the man wants to try casting again, he'll have to brave a taste of the whip.

Moving into threat range of Weasel to force defensive casting

Just checking on battlefield configuration: I'm being flanked by Minion #2 and Overseer, correct? Is there anyone else within 5' to 10' of me?

Assuming she can make it to him, Janeesa will get to Attero and throw a Cure Serious Wounds his way:

3d8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4, 4) + 6 = 17

Just checking on battlefield configuration: I'm being flanked by Minion #2 and Overseer, correct?

Correct.

Is there anyone else within 5' to 10' of me?

The bat swarm.

On the basis that 'shut down the spellcaster' is always a good tactic, he moves into range of the Weasel. If the man wants to try casting again, he'll have to brave a taste of the whip.

Moving into threat range of Weasel to force defensive casting

That would force you to eat an AoO from one mook. Are you okay with that?

Morvius Zaan wrote:

On the basis that 'shut down the spellcaster' is always a good tactic, he moves into range of the Weasel. If the man wants to try casting again, he'll have to brave a taste of the whip.

Moving into threat range of Weasel to force defensive casting

That would force you to eat an AoO from one mook. Are you okay with that?

OK, but Morvius has Acrobatics so I'll roll to try and avoid

Acrobatics vs AoO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Ooh. Decisions, decisions. I think if I can, I should probably try to shut down the Overseer. He's really impeding us right now.

Grinceroy brings his elbow around to try to strike the Overseer, then does a quick spin, quacking in succession both the overseer and the mook that's come after him. Grinceroy connects with the mook hard enough that he could be thrown back.

Attack 1 vs. Overseer: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 = 14
Damage 1: 1d8 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + (5) + 1 = 11

Attack 2 vs. Overseer: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 1 = 27
Damage 2: 1d8 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + (5) + 1 = 7

Attack 3 vs. Mook: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 = 23
Damage 3: 1d8 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 1 + (6) = 15

Pushing Infusion: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 + 1 = 14

I added Pushing Infusion onto the last Kenitec Fist, which is an attack vs cmd. If successful, the mook is pushed back by 5 ft.

fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

"Let's end this -- these things are disgusting!" Callinda snarls, spitting out a bat that tries to climb into her mouth. She holds her position -- rather than leading the swarm into her companions -- and continues shredding the boss.

repeat last turn: power attacking with studied target, trait slaver bonus, and blessing of war, and flank -
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 7scimitar: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 25for: 1d6 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 16 Miss!
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 23scimitar: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 27for: 1d6 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 17 Threat!
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 47kukri: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 17for: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 8
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 89kukri: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 23for: 1d4 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 9

crit confirm, 2nd scimitar: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 16
crit damage: 1d6 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 15

ongoing: bleed 1, blessing of war

Still using BoW for +1 AC. AC =22

Grateful for the healing from Janeesa, Brother Attero mutters his usual brief "Gratitude" before adding some healing of his own.

Focus=2. Swift for CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

He turns to the Boss as his wounds rapidly heal. "I wonder how it feels to constantly see all of your efforts rapidly undone. But do not worry, you will not have to see such things for long."

That said, his heavy fists of STEEL rain down blows on the big man, answering the cutting slices that Callinda mirrors to his rear.

Zeal Attack! w/Flank: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 34
Zeal Damage!: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 15
Righteousness Attack! w/Flank: 1d20 + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 29
Righteousness Damage!: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 3 + 2 = 13

The Earth Elemental continues to harass the Overseer.

EE attack! w/Flank: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 12
EE damage!: 1d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9

[dice=Pushing Infusion]d20+1+1

I added Pushing Infusion onto the last Kenitec Fist, which is an attack vs cmd. If successful, the mook is pushed back by 5 ft.

The mook is knocked out AND pushed back. Doesn't matter here, but for future reference: can you trigger AoOs with that?

Morvius: when you say get close enough to threaten the Weasel, I assume you mean 5' away? Or 10'?

Brother D. didn't roll his miss chances:

1d100 ⇒ 37
1d100 ⇒ 12

The second attack didn't hit.

Also, Morvius made his Acrobatics check, so no AoO there.

Also-also, are people posting their current HP correctly? For instance, Brother D had 41 hp, took 38, so he should have been at 3. Then he got healed by Janeesa for 17 and healed himself for 12. So now he should be at 32. But he's still showing 41?

N.B., some people find it simpler to update current hp totals in their posts instead of in the status line. I slightly prefer this myself, though I won't enforce it if you prefer to do it otherwise.

I've read through it all a lot, and I'm kind of unclear on that. I think though, that it's part of another action:

The momentum of your kinetic blast knocks foes back.

so I don't think it does unless the original attack does. But I couldn't find a definitive "This does (or does not) provoke an attack of opportunity"

Okay, then I'm going to say it doesn't -- it seems a bit OP otherwise.

Waiting on Morvius re Weasel.

DM_DM wrote:

Morvius: when you say get close enough to threaten the Weasel, I assume you mean 5' away? Or 10'?

I have a feat that gives me a 10' threatening area with my whip, so I may as well use it

Okay. The problem is, Weasel has worked with Overseer. So he knows all about whip feats and 10' reaches.

He'll take a slow cautious 5' step and get out of it.

Okay, surviving mooks!

1d20 ⇒ 17 Janeesa takes another 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 points of damage
1d20 ⇒ 3

Overseer... really has no choice but to clear his eyes again. Damn, that Dirty Trick business is vicious when you're on the good side of action economy.

Weasel pulls out a scroll, hesitates... and then casts (but not from off the scroll).

Boss roars in anger. "I said CROWD CONTROL, you cowardly little piece of $%^^! DO IT!"

But Weasel has simply... disappeared.

His bats, however, have not. Callinda takes another 1d6 ⇒ 6 points of damage (and must make yet another Fortitude save). Mm, swarms.

That leaves Boss. He's looking very rocky! But he didn't climb bloody-fisted to the top of the slaver pile by folding when things got rough. Brute force and determination will see him through!

1d20 ⇒ 9
1d20 ⇒ 17

Bah. Well, another 10 + 11 = 21 on Brother D anyway.

And that's it for Team Slaver! Back to you.

Janeesa attempts to smack the guy who just hit her.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Janeesa attempts to smack the guy who just hit her.

1d20+7

1d8+4

Ouch! -- but even a minion has more than 6 hp.

17 Janeesa takes another 9 points of damage

Janeesa's AC is 18; if that 17 is the total of his bonuses, or it's a touch attack, that's a miss.

Additionally, forgot to add Divine Favor to my hit and damage above; hit should be 25, damage should be 8.

Morvius Zaan wrote:

DM_DM wrote:

Morvius: when you say get close enough to threaten the Weasel, I assume you mean 5' away? Or 10'?

I have a feat that gives me a 10' threatening area with my whip, so I may as well use it

Okay. The problem is, Weasel has worked with Overseer. So he knows all about whip feats and 10' reaches.

He'll take a slow cautious 5' step and get out of it.

Oooh, you wascally wabbit!

Morvius quirks an eyebrow upward as the weasel-faced man decides that self-preservation takes precedence over obeying his boss. "Good help is so hard to find, isn't it?" He commiserates with the enraged boss. "It took me weeks to teach my valet that the cravat must never, ever, match the cummerbund - the contrast is the entire point. I think that's the sort of thing you have to be born into to truly appreciate." He shakes his head in exasperation.

"But I'm sure you appreciate that the odds are now vastly stacked against you. It's not too late to throw down your weapons and negotiate the terms of your surrender, you know."

He moves back within range of the overseer, and strikes the man again.

Dirty trick, blind: 1d20 + 6 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 32

"You might think I'd get tired of doing that, but somehow it's fresh each time, you know? But then, the classics never truly go stale. That's why they're classics."

EDIT STATUS: Hit points 38/46, 2/8 Stamina Points

DM_DM wrote:

17 Janeesa takes another 9 points of damage

Janeesa's AC is 18; if that 17 is the total of his bonuses, or it's a touch attack, that's a miss.

It's not. I don't usually post bonuses, because clever PCs can reverse engineer a lot of information about opponents. (I once had a player ask another player, "Can I hit him with Daze, do you think?" And the first guy replied, "He's hitting at +7, but he's not getting a second attack. Figure +2 from Strength, and the DM said he has a nice weapon, so it's probably masterwork, so +1 from that. So I bet he's 4th level, tops. Go ahead, Daze him.")

Of course if combat goes on long enough, you can often work the bonuses out anyway ("I'm AC 23, he hit me when he rolled a 12 but missed me when he rolled a 10...") but stuff like flanking, power attack and whatnot make it noticeably harder.

Additionally, forgot to add Divine Favor to my hit and damage above; hit should be 25, damage should be 8.

Duly noted.

Janeesa wrote:

DM_DM wrote:

17 Janeesa takes another 9 points of damage

Janeesa's AC is 18; if that 17 is the total of his bonuses, or it's a touch attack, that's a miss.

It's not. I don't usually post bonuses, because clever PCs can reverse engineer a lot of information about opponents.

Ah, okay, fair enough. I'll update my HP and keep that in mind.