I’ve had trouble getting on roll20 before (endless loading screens). Fingers crossed on this one.
Chillblame, if you are looking for a more detailed map of Sterich (albeit one without hexes), there's the following one from the "sequel" to these adventures from Dragon Magazine: Map of Sterich
Thanks, but I kind of like this one. Nostalgia.
I’ve had trouble getting on roll20 before (endless loading screens). Fingers crossed on this one.
Depends on your connection and computer. When you get in, (and this is good advice for everyone) go to the settings tab (top right gear symbol) scroll down and turn off video and audio transmission and receipt. It will make things run a bit better.
Well, one of my big issues is that I do this with my phone. Home computer broke, and work computer doesn’t allow access
Speaking of maps... Have you seen this beauty?
You can just zoom in on the different regions for a closer look at any kingdom, or mountain range, or whatever. It's an incredible work of art!
Oh yeah I love that map. And I just looked it even has the Hill Giant Steading on it.
Sigh. Such a nice map.
It seems Chilly's internet has been playing up
Should be right now (I hope). In Australia, we have the NBN (national broadband network) which is supposed to give everyone fast internet, and it does usually.
But the workers who install and maintain it are nearly legendary is the ways they stuff up. I think this was a result of more botched maintenance.
Tomorrow I will send out email invited to roll20 for the encounter map
Whew, that is a LOT of bad guys out there! If the fireballs can target the orcs and their mounts to even the odds we might stand a chance in a pitched fight. But getting the prisoners out first seems ideal.
I'm busy today, but will post a response to the plans tonight when I get the chance.
Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!! :)
A few delays on the map, sorry, it will take a little bit longer.
OK, I have sent each of you a PM with the link for roll20. When you get in you will see the regional map, and if you scroll down a selection of avatars to choose from. There is a text function on the left-hand side you can click to use. just write your characters name under the avatar you want.
I have also activated the roll20 character sheet. If you want (this is in no way compulsory) you can try it out. When you log in to roll20, just ask me to activate it for you. Here will do.
Any problems, just ask. If you have never used it before, it can be a bit intimidating.
Also, I have sent the messages from an alias by mistake. Cutie. Yes, I am embarrassed.
For my sanity, the number of dire boars is dropping to ten.
For my sanity, the number of dire boars is dropping to ten.
And that likely helps our chances of survival if this turns into a combat! Those dire boars are nasty customers...
The sheer numbers makes this a very tough encounter. I will follow whatever the party decides.
I plan to punch them.
Seltyn has 4 fireballs prepped. They average 34.5 dmg. That will kill any standard orc or ogre that doesn't roll 20 on their reflex save. It won't kill the boars, but it'll bring their hps down to a manageable number.
I think that if Horek concentrates on the giant, he'll knock off a lot of hit points before anyone closes with it. 3 attacks/round against a favored enemy will be very fun to watch.
If Mazrak's illusion fools them, all the better. And Eldric's punches will be extra burn-y.
Let's go for it!
Let's go for it!
Seltyn started as the leader of a party of elves. He was the tactical guy, and his plans worked pretty well when the elves would actually follow the plan, but that was never guaranteed. lol
We've got a ranger with giant bane arrows. Yee-ha!
If you could note what tokens you want to use, please.
Or I could just pick them for you.
Also, can you change your name on Roll20 to your characters name please, if you haven't already.
When the tokens are selected, I will shift you to the encounter map
Having trouble doing so on the phone, any will work for me
Having trouble doing that on phone. Any marker works for me
No problem. One monk/pally token coming up.
Ok chosen figure and changed name
Ok chosen figure and changed name
Ok, character set up. I have also given you a dragon figure under your control. Well, on the encounter map. That is the one to update.
Having trouble doing that on phone. Any marker works for meNo problem. One monk/pally token coming up.
Perfect! Thank you
I want the green-haired elf, but I can't figure out how to get it.
Middle Dwarf is closest. On a mobile device now.
Yeah, I like our odds with four fireballs and giving Horek the chance to focus on the frost giant. Let's do this!!
I want the green-haired elf, but I can't figure out how to get it.
No worries, I'll sort it. Mazrak too
I have to go out soon and won't be back till tomorrow. So, I will set things up for tomorrow.
Folks, I'm not seeing the combat map on Roll20. Am I doing something wrong? All I see is the region map.
EDIT: Also, I'm fine with the sneaking in plan, and yes, I speak Giant and Orc.
I think Chill is still working on the map, and took it down for now.
We decided to not do the sneaking thing. The prisoners are safer in the wagon. Trying to sneak them out before the fight could get them killed. Jeeves would be invisible, but they wouldn't be.
Jeeves can either charge in at the giant with Eldric and Parvo, or hang back and shoot arrows until we've thinned them out. We're just gonna ambush the suckers.
Once we've eliminated the monsters, we can help the people. I imagine they're in pretty bad shape.
The map is active now. If you still cannot access, tell me.
A little note on distance penalties for perception rolls. I find the standard penalties as too harsh, and annoying to calculate, so I usually apply a blanket -5 to long-range, -10 to extreme range, then cover penalties. It seems to work.
But we're still going with pelting them from a distance with ranged attacks and fireballs before letting them come to us, right? I really don't want to get into melee with the frost giant, ogres, and all the other survivors until we absolutely have to!
I'm thinking those boulders and trees about 180' in front of us would do for the fighter-types to get to after we've been hasted? Once there, we can volley with our arrows while Seltyn casts Fireball from where he's at and other spellcasters with long-range spells can do the same. The range from those places of cover is a bit over 100'or so, which is long but only -2 for longbows.
With Haste, Horek can move 70'/round - so he can get to any of those three main places of cover in three rounds of half movement if he's trying to use Stealth with the full modifier. Figure two or maybe three rounds of attacks with arrows before we either charge in to attack or the bad guys get to us? If we use the Extend Rod with the Haste spell we'll have plenty of time with Haste even once melee starts, I'd think.
I agree. But, we need to get closer. Look at the range we're at. It's harder to hit with arrows at that distance. Once we attack, they're not going to just stand there. They will come at us, but a lot of them will never get to us, especially the ones who blew up in their sleep. You'll be close enough to perforate that giant like a boss.
:)
Parvo needs to be within 100 feet of Elnaril to get his groove on all the way, and Eldric is going to run up and punch the giant. We need to be close enough to close when the time comes.
Except Seltyn, of course. XD
There is a downward slope of rocks to the left. We could get partial cover from there. I moved Mazrak's token more as a temporary guide to where I am talking about. If the party wants to move elsewhere, Mazrak will go with wherever the party goes.
From the map it looks like the party is currently behind a mound. Moving to the rocks to the left of the mound gets us much closer, yet still provides some cover from some of the monsters.
That looks like a good choice for concealing ourselves. It gives good visual cover from the guards and will force them to split their troops.
Smite evil, flurry, haste, and lots of fire.
Big Johann just took a lot of damage for round 1. I can’t imagine that he is too happy right now.
That is a safe assumption.
Hmm... OK, I was thinking the plan was to strike from a distance and let them come to us. I really don't like the idea of being in a camp surrounded by two hill giants, 10 ogres, several dire boars, the surviving orcs and the frost giant all in melee range.
Horek will close in as fast as he can, but his AC isn't great. He will use some of those giant bane arrows as he moves in.
In fairness, they could mob Eldric. But with AC30, and them getting +2 Hit from flanking, he should be able to tank it out. The average Hl Giant is +14 Hit, so they’d need a 14+ with flank. Those are ok odds. And if they bunch up? Fireball.
32 damage average from fireball. Ref save is +16 so will probably take half damage, and with fire resist will probably take about 9 damage.
Throw in Lay on Hands...and the enemy mobbing Eldric might be tactically advantageous.
——
Just shoot the Frost Giant first. Make sure he goes down, as I have a feeling that he will be our biggest threat.
At the rate Eldric is smacking him, he won't be a threat for long. LOL
At the rate Eldric is smacking him, he won't be a threat for long. LOL
I'm more worried about the horde of ogres, the two hill giants, and the rest of the encampment!
Some roll20 hints
If you select your token, there are two small tabs appear. One takes you into the tokens's settings. You can, for example, put your current HP/total HP up.
Have a little play.
Next, I have activated character sheets for each of you. You do not have to use them, but you might want to look at them. Look for the journal tab on the top lefthand side, then select your name.
So long, Johann Karlssonn. You were too beautiful for this world.
Frost giant down and the mammoth has fled! Woot!!
Saw GM Chill's comment in Roll20 about doing battles there if folks can meet at a scheduled time in real-life. That'd be awesome, and I did that for awhile in my Mummy's Mask game. Made combat go so much faster than in pbp!! I usually wrote up a little synopsis of the combat in the pbp thread, and then we carried on in that format until we hit another battle where folks could meet in Roll20 again.
Anyway, if we decide to look into that, I'm in the USA, on the east coast. Nighttime after 7pm EST is usually best for me during the week (except Mondays and Thursdays, though I could go after 9pm or so on those days.) Weekends get busy sometimes, but my mornings around 8am is usually open on Saturdays and Sundays for a few hours. Beyond that, it'd probably vary as to what plans I've got during the day or on those nights.